[Cottonwood Ballroom]
7:00 AM – 7:50 AM
Registration and Breakfast
7:50 AM – 8:05 AM
Opening and Welcome
8:05 AM – 8:10 AM
ASCE Region 8 Welcome
8:10 AM – 8:20 AM
ASCE State of the State
8:20 AM – 8:25 AM
ASHE Phoenix Sonoran Update
8:25 AM – 8:35 AM
ASHE National Update
8:35 AM – 8:40 AM
Session Close/Breakout Announcement
8:40 AM – 8:55 AM
Coffee Break
[Saguaro]
8:55 AM – 9:45 AM
Making a project sustainable for a developing community goes beyond delivering a usable product. We will discuss how we adjust engineering and construction practices where limited materials, technical information, and conventional construction methods may not be available using the Phoenix Chapter’s current water project in Aguas Calientes, Nicaragua as an example.
Public rights-of-way are areas that belong to the public and are generally managed by a public agency. They are precious and limited commodities. Public rights-of-way managers make daily decisions on which activities and occupants may be allowed use these rights-of-way, how long the activity will last and who they will affect, where occupants will be placed and how the occupants’ owners plan to maintain their facilities within their rights-of-way.
State of the County Transportation, where we were, where we are, and where we will be.
This presentation is for the sharing of insights of working in the field safely and effectively. It includes real life experience in field work safety and why it is not just important to our work but truly crucial in preventing a life changing injury or death.
The EPA has announced the final Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS compounds in drinking water which will have a significant impact to hundreds of utilities across the country. This presentation will review PFAS regulations, treatment technologies, and how Arizona utilities/agencies are addressing the challenges of PFAS contamination in groundwater.
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Coffee Break
[Saguaro]
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is leading a SMART grant funded by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). ACA has partnered with ADOT, MCDOT, Valley Metro, University of Arizona, ASU, Verizon, MAG, CPLC, and HDR to implement cutting-edge connected vehicle technology in Arizona. The goal is to improve safety, accessibility, and environmental sustainability, create positive societal impact, reach out to disadvantaged communities, and create new employment opportunities. This presentation will explain what the SMART grant is and how local government agencies can take advantage of this discretionary fund to implement cutting-edge technologies, maintain equity, and enhance accessibility for disadvantaged communities and the transportation industry.
An update on the progress and current status of ongoing P3 major projects, highlighting key developments and milestones achieved.
This presentation is about almost everything you need to know and be aware of regarding guardrail and guardrail end treatments (GETs) and why that is important. Unfortunately, there is a tendency to build and forget about guardrail and GETs. Even after new design and crash standards are adopted and it is readily known that these old systems do not perform well. This is unacceptable and we need to change our approach and manage and maintain these safety devices in a more proactive manner that makes sure they are UpToDate and are reasonably ready to operate the way they should when someone crashes into them.
This presentation will include the use of modern nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques such as Digital Tap Testing and Infrared Thermography for the detection of debonding in Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite wrapped or FRP bonded structural members. Various case studies will be presented to demonstrate the use of the NDT techniques for debond detection leading to immediate repair in the field. These case studies highlight the application of NDT techniques during the construction or rehabilitation stage to achieve better bond and to ensure continued integrity of the structural components.
Changing weather patterns and weather extremes affect infrastructure performance. The effects are affecting public health, safety, and welfare.
Following current design guidelines, practices, codes, and standards may no longer result in safe and reliable performance over the life of the project as we are dealing with effects of a dynamic environment.
This presentation will discuss our ethical responsibility in a dynamic environment. The presentation will identify:
What’s happening?
Why should we care?
What can we do?
What’s the challenge?
What should we do?
In terms of what we can do, we have three choices – mitigate, adapt, or suffer. Knowing that we’re going to do some of each we will talk about what is the mix going to be?
The more mitigation we do, the less adaptation will be required, and the less suffering there will be.
Lastly, we will discuss two of tools to use to develop infrastructure for a future that is difficult to predict: These are: Risk analysis & Adaptive management.
10:50 AM – 11:00 AM
Coffee Break
[Saguaro]
11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the professional landscape, with tangible impacts on various industries. This presentation will examine the current role of AI in engineering, showcasing real-time examples of AI attempting to solve rudimentary engineering example problems. By illustrating how AI is applied in tasks such as code research, standard of care reference search, and optimization of reporting, we will highlight the practical benefits it offers to engineers. Furthermore, we will discuss the ethical considerations inherent in leveraging AI in engineering, including issues of accountability, and accuracy. By exploring the ethical dimensions of AI implementation, we aim to begin opening the door to engineers to explore the use of AI in practice and navigate both the opportunities and challenges responsibly.
Discuss current and upcoming projects ADOT is working on, along with the agency’s funding status and long-term goals for the agency.
This presentation will discuss navigating the unique design and construction challenges of providing modern infrastructure upgrades, including roadway improvements, pedestrian facilities, drainage systems, and landscaping, all while preserving the historic charm of the Garfield Historic District, just east of Downtown Phoenix. Learn about the innovative solutions used to reduce construction costs, minimize land acquisition, preserve historic infrastructure, efficiently manage traffic, and limit impacts to residents during construction.
Current methods of concrete construction include on-site casting with formwork or precast concrete. However, the requirements related to formwork and/or shipping to complete construction are expensive and can harm the environment. To this end, 3D concrete printing (3DCP) is an emerging field in large-scale construction that eliminates the need for conventional formwork and shipping, which can reduce manufacturing time and cost while increasing sustainability. NAU researchers recently acquired a 3D concrete printer and have been working to establish best practices for 3DCP in AZ, utilize local materials to replace the proprietary blend, and introduce structural support for overhangs and openings.
This presentation provides step-by-step guidance on what information to collect, what screening tests to perform, and how to select the most appropriate PFAS mitigation alternative through the use of a series of decision trees – document and interactive version soon available at ADEQ website. ADEQ recommends using this guidance very early in the planning stages, after PFAS exceedances are detected and when a utility is starting to consider compliance options and conceptual design, to set the foundation for the future steps of evaluation of the selected alternative, cost analysis, detailed design, and eventually permitting. The purpose is not to require one specific approach, but to support utilities in determining the most appropriate path forward.
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch
[Cottonwood Ballroom]
[Cottonwood Ballroom]
12:00 PM – 12:05 PM
Overview and Committee Thank You
12:05 PM – 12:10 PM
President’s Memorable Moment
12:10 PM – 1:10 PM
Resilient Counties, Cities & Towns: An Arizona Leadership Panel
1:10 PM – 1:25 PM
Awards and Scholarships
1:25 PM – 1:30 PM
New Officer Induction/Session Close
1:30 PM – 1:40 PM
Break
[Saguaro]
1:40 PM – 2:30 PM
Review of the Top 10 Capital Improvement Programs across Arizona, including top projects, trends and analysis of future publicly funded construction projects.
Discussion on relevant data related to Arizona professional licensure, focusing on engineers and land surveyors. General discussion on the past legislative session and outcomes, as well as current and possible future changes in the Arizona Revised Statute and the Arizona Administrative Code as they pertain to the professionals registered with the AZBTR. This discussion is intended to foster dialogue and enhance comprehension of the board’s mission statement. From a national level a discussion on trends and the latest information from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
Traditional infrastructure design and management practices often treat urban infrastructure systems as isolated entities, failing to account for the growing interdependencies that can trigger cascading failures during extreme weather events. To address this limitation, an integrated framework that simulates physical and spatial dependencies of stormwater and power infrastructure systems was developed using Phoenix as a case study. The reliability of the modeling framework was first evaluated using weather data and reports of flooding and power outages during a set of intense storms. The integrated model was then used to explore cascading failures and identify potential vulnerabilities in the city’s infrastructure during extreme weather conditions.
Project bundling has been recognized by many states to maximize the return on investments in time and costs. FHWA has also recognized bundling efficiencies and have developed useful tools to help an agency navigate through the steps needed to bundle projects. Our presentation will showcase the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) FARM Bridge Program used to bundle 31 bridge replacements in a single project—reducing the cost of the bridge replacements by an average of 30% had they been individual projects.
From 2019-2023, researchers monitored a small-scale bioretention basin system central to Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. The findings from this research indicate promising results for green infrastructure and other nature-based solutions for stormwater management in arid and semi-arid regions. I will present the results of the research and discuss how these results can be applied to better prepare Phoenix and Arizona for future environmental conditions that will require more diverse approaches to stormwater infrastructure design.
2:30 PM – 2:40 PM
Snack Break
[Saguaro]
2:40 PM – 3:30 PM
Maricopa County’s dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation was first approved by voters in 1985 through the passage of Proposition 300. Proposition 300 funded the construction of much of the freeway infrastructure that supported the region’s growth in the 1990s and early 2000s. Specifically, the Loop 101, Loop 202, State Route (SR) 51, SR 143, expansion of US 60 (Superstition Freeway), and improvements to I-10 were all constructed during the Proposition 300 era.
In November 2004, Maricopa County voters extended the dedicated half-cent sales tax for another 20-years with the approval of Proposition 400. Proposition 400 expanded regional investments beyond the freeways to also include transit and arterial streets. Since 2006, Proposition 400 has provided funding to build the Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway), Loop 303 (Estrella Freeway), the beginning segments of SR 24, widen/improve existing freeways, and construct a number of new interchanges. It also has built more than 250 miles of new/improved arterial roads, contributed funding to the construction of the light rail system, funded nearly all of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) paratransit service for seniors and the disabled community, and provided funding for more than 7 million revenue miles of bus transit service a year.
Maricopa County voters will decide on another 20-year extension of the half-cent sales tax in November 2024 with Proposition 479. If Proposition 479 is approved by voters, it will fund the projects and programs detailed in the MAG Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan (RSTIIP). This session will provide an overview of the projects and programs in the RSTIIP, their impact on the region’s mobility, and what can be expected in the near-term if Proposition 479 is approved by voters.
Successful engineers nurture and grow leadership skills to drive business success. Leadership is the heart of successful firms and agencies, but there hasn’t been a research-based leadership framework for this industry—until now!
Industry veterans Barbara Shuck and Craig Park have published the singular research-based leadership playbook The Architecture of Vision: Leadership In Your Professional Practice. Barbara is excited to share research, insights, and practical exercises with the ASCE/ASHE audience.
This session will provoke engineers to think beyond their usual understanding of leadership so they are more insightful and improve their skills to build and lead winning teams. Effective leaders are crucial for developing unbreakable client relationships and loyal employees, and employee candidates are searching for leaders who will help them launch their careers. This session is unparalleled for the research foundation and how I deliver the transformational framework into actionable activities that propel attendee leadership expertise in firms. Attendees have never heard of this framework and will be forever equipped because of our session.
The Gilbert Road crossing at the Salt River in Mesa, Arizona suffered extensive damage following historic flooding. A new four-lane Gilbert Road Bridge was constructed on an accelerated schedule to replace the existing two-lane bridge over the Salt River crossing. The soil conditions at the project site consisted of dense to very dense sands, gravels, cobbles, and boulders with a high potential to collapse below the water table. Keller North America installed 7-ft- and 10-ft-diameter drilled shafts to depths of 130 to 160 ft using the wet technique, which utilizes drilling fluid (polymer slurry) to stabilize the holes and speed production. The large diameter drilled shafts required approximately 400 cubic yards of concrete per shaft. Shaft integrity testing was performed using a variety of methods, including Shaft Profile Evaluator (SHAPE), Cross Sonic Logging (CSL), Gamma-Gamma Data Logging (GDL), and Thermal Integrity Profiler (TIP). Construction challenges arose due to a six-month project start delay that pushed work into the record-breaking 2023 summer months in Phoenix. This case history describes the construction methodology that Keller used to install the large diameter drilled shafts. General results of the shaft integrity testing are discussed, and a comparison of the various methodologies are provided.
Join us for an engaging presentation on the 4 Pillars of Stormwater Infrastructure, where we share key lessons from Green Infrastructure and Stormwater BMP projects. From storm drain CIPs to parking lots, roadways, industrial sites, railways, and coastal facilities, you’ll gain practical, hands-on solutions to enhance your organization’s maintenance practices.
Large diameter sewers serve big populations, thereby conveying high flows. They are a critical part of a community’s sewer infrastructure, and any failure can result in high consequences. As the underground infrastructure ages, more utilities of urbanized areas are looking into renewal of their sewer interceptors to prevent failures and improve asset management (Sever and Bradshaw, 2009). While small diameter pipeline rehabilitation is better established and some of the methods have been in use for decades [e.g., cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP)], renewal of a sewer interceptor (48 in. and above) represents its unique challenges in terms of feasibility, design, constructability, and economies of scale. The objective of this presentation is to provide insight into the latest developments in large diameter sewer renewal with respect to design and materials, thereby assisting utilities and engineers in dealing with the complexities of such projects.
3:30 PM – 3:40 PM
Snack Break
[Saguaro]
3:40 PM – 4:30 PM
Valley Metro will provide an update on current and future capital projects, including the construction status of the South Central / Downtown Hub project, which is over 90% complete and on track to open in 2025. Valley Metro also has an exciting future ahead with the planned I-10 West Extension, Rio East-Dobson Streetcar Extension, West Phoenix High-Capacity Transit Alternatives Analysis, and more.
It is not uncommon to have occupational environmental, health and safety an after thought rather than be at the for front of the design, construction, or retrofitting projects. There are gaps between the engineering conceptual design phase to the end user. Such that occupational environmental health and safety (OEHS) typically becomes involved at the end user (human interaction) phase.
As designers and builders expand their adoption of BIM and model-based processes, the demand for geotechnical deliverables in model-based formats continues to grow. What do model-based deliverables mean for the relevance of the PDF boring log? How can geotechnical teams adjust their approach to borehole data management to efficiently generate these deliverables alongside traditional geotechnical reports?
Regime equations formulated by Gerald Lacey, Thomas Blench, and C.R. Neill calculate an average scoured depth for a channel considered to have attained equilibrium. In 1984, the United States Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) included the three equations in a technical guideline with the BOR procedure calculates the depth of scour rather than the scoured depth. However, the BOR procedure, which the procedure recommended by some local agencies, gives a calculated depth of scour different than that obtained using the original equations. This presentation provides an evaluation of the procedures and the reason the results differ.
In this presentation, we will learn about structures typically found in a treatment facility and how they relate to treatment processes and technologies. We will then explore design goals for treatment structures including resiliency, containment performance, and expansion capabilities. It is critical to understand the unique forces and loading scenarios to provide proper strength, serviceability, and longevity. Next, we will study the behavior of various materials and components, as well as codes and methods commonly used in design.
Finally, the presentation will take a tour through the Gilbert North Water Treatment Plant currently in construction.
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Networking Reception
[Vendor Breakout Area]