Threats to Drainage Infrastructure: Designing for Resilience in a Changing Environment: Why Material Selection Belongs at the Center of Resilient Drainage Design
Central Texas has had a brutal stretch of weather. The July 2025 Hill Country floods along the Guadalupe River caused widespread devastation, forcing a hard look at design storm assumptions that have held for decades, and this summer the state is already responding to another round of severe flash flooding across the same corridor. NOAA’s […]
Recyclability Evaluation of Asphalt Millings with Geosynthetic Interlayer Remnants for Pavement Base Course Applications
The incorporation of geosynthetic interlayers, such as geotextiles and geogrids, in asphalt layers has been shown to delay crack propagation and increase the fatigue life of asphalt overlays. Consequently, the growing use of geosynthetic interlayers in asphalt layers is expected to generate increasing quantities of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) containing geosynthetic interlayer remnants (referred to […]
Transforming a High-Risk River Crossing into Design Certainty: Geotechnical Investigation for the US-51 Ohio River Bridge
A comprehensive overwater geotechnical investigation was performed to support replacement of the US 51 Ohio River Bridge between Wickliffe, Kentucky, and Cairo, Illinois. Prior investigations were constrained by complex subsurface conditions, challenging river environment, and platform limitations, resulting in uncertainty for deep foundation design. This study presents an integrated approach to acquiring high-quality subsurface data […]
Rethinking Underground Detention: Design Flexibility, Cost Savings & Constructability with Precast Concrete Systems
Urban development continues to push the limits of conventional stormwater management due to space constraints, evolving regulations, and increasing infrastructure demands. In response,modular precast concrete systems are emerging as a resilient and efficient solution—offering design flexibility, accelerated timelines, and long-term durability. This presentation will explore how modular precast detention systems address critical challenges related to […]
High-PI Stabilization for Concrete Pavement Performance
Concrete pavements are widely recognized for their structural capacity and long service life; however, long-term performance is fundamentally dependent on uniform and stable foundation support. Expansive, highly plastic clays (PI ≥ 35) contribute to differential movement, moisture-driven distress, and reduced pavement reliability, underscoring the importance of effective subgrade stabilization in resilient pavement systems. This presentation […]
Beyond Strength: Integrating Resilience into Civil Infrastructure Design
Civil infrastructure is increasingly exposed to extreme weather, climate variability, aging systems, and growing urban demands. Traditional design approaches that focus primarily on strength and safety are no longer sufficient to address these emerging challenges. This session explores how resilience can be integrated into civil infrastructure design to improve system performance under uncertain conditions. The […]
Assessing Transportation Infrastructure Asset Resilience using a Data-Driven Framework: A Case Study for Harris County Precinct 4 (HC PCT 4)
As extreme rainfall and urban flooding increase across Texas, state and local governmental agencies must prioritize transportation investments using clear and defensible methods to enhance their asset resilience. This presentation describes an application of the Criticality–Vulnerability (C–V) framework developed by Houston Galveston Area Council to three specific infrastructure assets identified by HC PCT 4: 137 […]
From Vision to Reality: Delivering Multimodal Projects Through Integrated Planning and Engineering: Connecting Statewide Strategy, Project Portfolio Development, and District Delivery to Advance Transportation Solutions
Moderator: Ram Maddali As transportation agencies work to address growing mobility needs, infrastructure demands, system resiliency, and funding constraints, successful project delivery requires strong coordination between planning, programming, engineering, and implementation. Transforming long-range transportation goals into projects that can be funded, developed, and delivered demands an integrated approach that bridges organizational, technical, and geographic boundaries. […]
Long-Term Geotechnical Liabilities Caused by Elevated Groundwater Levels After Construction
Geotechnical reports by all engineers always include groundwater conditions existing at the time of the site and investigation. The reports also indicate the probability of groundwater fluctuation at the time of construction. However, most reports don’t identify the risk of serious structural issues that can develop after construction due to sustained elevated groundwater levels over […]
From Project Manager to Trusted Advisor: Relationship Management that Strengthens Project Outcomes
Resilient infrastructure depends on more than sound engineering. It requires strong, trust-based relationships between engineers, clients, contractors, and communities. While civil engineering professionals are highly trained in technical problem solving, many receive little formal guidance on how to intentionally build and manage client relationships throughout the life of a project. This session explores how proactive […]