Articles

Materials Engineering with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates

Kaitlin Forke and Doug Smith of WJE presented to the Hillcrest High School CE Club. With their extensive background in materials engineering, they gave a brief overview of concrete including the basic constituents (with specific focus on Portland cement and chemical admixtures), the batching process, and field placement and testing. The presentation included an activity that highlighted the effects of chemical admixtures, specifically super plasticizers and viscosity modifying admixtures (VMAs), on the rheology of a concrete mix. During the activity, each student mixed Portland cement and water in a small container. After seeing how difficult it was to mix just the cement and water, they added a few drops of super plasticizer and were able to see a drastic improvement in workability. However, when they placed a few aggregates in the mix (small pebbles), all the aggregate sank to the bottom. Next, they added a few drops of VMA to their mixes and didn’t see any drastic changes in workability. However, when they placed aggregates in the mix, the aggregate stayed on top initially and could be evenly distributed by mixing. It was a great hands-on activity for the Hillcrest students that effectively and practically demonstrated the principles of concrete mix design!

Water Resources Engineering with Kimley-Horn

Ashlyn Morgan of Kimley-Horn presented on water and wastewater infrastructure engineering. She touched on all aspects of her day to day work, including pipe rehabilitation, new construction, modeling, and master planning. After this quick overview, Ashlyn put the students to work right away with a great group activity. For the activity, Ashlyn created a map of an imaginary town called “Agloe”. The map identified the water delivery point and then a proposed development about a mile away that needed a certain amount of water. The goal of the activity was to find the least expensive combination of pumps and pipe sizes to deliver water to the new development. The students learned about pump curves, head loss, and system curves to figure out which pipes and pumps could work to deliver water. Each team came up with what they believed to be the best solution, and then the entire class shared their unique results.

Woodrow Wilson High School CE Club Update - November 2018

Ashlyn Morgan of Kimley Horn spoke to the Civil Engineering Club students at the Woodrow Wilson High School about Habitat for Humanity on Friday, October 29, 2018. This presentation was in preparation of the Habitat for Humanity build that the students had an opportunity to participate in on Saturday, November 10 (see below for more information on the event!).

Ashlyn discussed the mission and methods of Habitat for Humanity, such as the no-interest mortgage model, homeowner education and sweat equity hours, and other ways Dallas Habitat works in the community. She also talked about site development and construction (especially the key factors to consider when selecting residential lots, and different stages of site preparation and construction). 

Woodrow Wilson HS has three different Civil Engineering club classes. In the first two classes, Ashlyn led the students in a lot layout activity where the student groups drew different home-building objectives, such as “architecturally interesting” or “biggest footprint” and had to conform to given zoning guidelines. One class, however, didn’t participate in the activity because they had so many questions with Ashlyn that led to a conversation that lasted the whole class time! The students are so inquisitive and really enjoy learning from industry professionals.

Janah St. Luce, Erik Larsen, Mark Trance, JC Futterman-Baylon, and Tyler Mason from Corgan spoke to the CE Club students at Woodrow Wilson High School about architecture on November 2, 2018. 

The group began the presentation with a brief history of architecture.  They compared stone and brick buildings to more modern-day glass and steel buildings.  The discussion continued with examples of architecture beyond shelters, such as buildings housing art and museums.  They touched on the three E’s of architecture: education, experience, and exam.  They discussed the eight collegiate programs in the state of Texas and talked about study abroad opportunities in both South Korea and Rome.  The group explained the experience required to become a licensed architect and the six exams required.  They finished the presentation with a video that challenges architects to think outside the box when designing for the future. 

Ashlyn Kelbly, PE of Kimley-Horn, and a Habitat for Humanity Core Volunteer helped organize a build day for the Woodrow Wilson CE Club students in south Dallas on November 10, 2018. Omar Venzor, ASCE Dallas CE Club Co-Chair, volunteered from 8 am to 3 pm with the CE Club students.  The group of 15 students included ten from Woodrow Wilson and five from Hillcrest High School. The students spent the day helping finish the roof and siding all around a four bedroom house under construction. The students got to climb on ladders, nail siding panels, and do lots and lots of nailing and those over 18 even got to use a nail gun and saw!

At lunch time, the students asked lots of questions about home construction.  We hope to have another build day with more CE Club students in the spring!

If you are interested in presenting to the Woodrow Wilson CE Club, email:

Omar Venzor - [email protected]

Jennifer Smith – [email protected]

The classes are on Fridays 9:05-9:55, 10:05-10:55, and 11:05-11:55