Articles

Geotechnical Engineering with Braun Intertec

Reece Taylor of Braun Intertec spoke to the Hillcrest High School CE club about his area of expertise: geotechnical engineering. He presented a couple of the oldest, known, man-made structures and described how earth materials were used to construct them. Reece also discussed what a geotechnical engineer often does on a day-to-day basis and his or her role in the overall project. This day-to-day activity includes preparing subsurface exploration programs using geologic resources and experience, collecting samples of earth materials, performing laboratory analysis to determine the relevant physical/mechanical and chemical properties of these materials, and using these results to prepare and submit design recommendations to the project design team.

Reece highlighted types of projects geotechnical engineers get the opportunity to work on throughout their career and shared his personal experience with geotechnical challenges. Reece also shared that engineering doesn’t just require math and science skills. An engineer often uses several other skill sets. In practice, excellent verbal and written communication and project management can differentiate an individual from his or her peers.

Finally, he led a hands-on activity that required consideration of geotechnical engineering principles. The students learned a few principals/behaviors of earth materials to consider (e.g. friction angle/angle of repose) and how engineers can use other man-made materials, such as geogrid, to control modes of failure. By using composite, earth structures, engineers can reduce the amount of material used to construct a retaining wall or embankment, thus often resulting in savings to the project. Using this information, three groups of students attempted to construct a mechanically-stabilized retaining wall using only sand and window screen (geofabric)!

Woodrow Wilson High School CE Club Update - March 2019

Francisco Estrada and Nick Prather from L.A. Fuess Partners spoke to the CE Club students at Woodrow Wilson High School about structural engineering on February 8, 2019.  

Francisco and Nick gave the students an overview of the engineering process. They talked to the students about lateral forces and the impact different types of connections have on structures. Their presentation concluded with a group activity where the students built structures out of spaghetti, marshmallows, and gumdrops. The students were tasked with building a tall structure that could withstand earthquake like forces.

We thank Francisco & Nick for speaking to the Woodrow Wilson High School CE Club.  

Alexis Clark from Hilti visited the Woodrow Wilson High School CE Club to present on Engineering and Business on Friday, March 1, 2019.

Alexis discussed the relationship between engineering and business and how going into engineering doesn’t always mean working at a computer and doing design work, like many other presenters do. She also described “A Day in the Life as a Field Engineer”. She discussed the day-to-day tasks, as well as the bigger picture of the role. The students were interested to learn about Alexis’ job but also the products and services that Hilti offers, and how they are implemented into the built world around us. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit the CE Club, Alexis!

If you are interested in speaking to the CE Club please contact Jennifer Smith ([email protected]) or Omar Venzor ([email protected]).