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 […]
Precast Stormwater Solutions
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
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. From Vision to […]
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 […]
Pioneering Trust: Delivering Next-Generation Engineering Design Services
The engineering landscape is undergoing a technological renaissance. Generative AI and autonomous drone data collection are no longer fringe concepts; they are rapidly becoming industry standards. Yet, as these tools automate complex design workflows and accelerate project timelines, a critical question emerges for licensed professionals: how do we maintain the integrity of the professional engineer’s […]
Texas Civil Engineering Leadership Speaker Series
Step behind the scenes of how Texas manages disasters and large-scale events in this engaging, real-world look at emergency management in action in the Lone Star State. Learn how the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) coordinates across local, state, and federal agencies to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises, and how both […]