President's Message - How much do we know about what’s going on around us?

By Jeff Braun, P.E.

By Jeff Braun, P.E.

I catch myself focusing on the task-at-hand so intently that I…

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ASCE Supports Napa and Ventura Relief Efforts

By Sudi Shoja P.E.

By Sudi Shoja, P.E. F.ASCE

Fires in N. California and recent fires in Ventura once…

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Sustainability Committee - The State of Sustainability 2017, Orange County

By

Welcome to American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE-OC) Sustainability Committee’s State of Sustainability 2017 Report…

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In This Issue


President's Message - How much do we know about what’s going on around us?

By Jeff Braun, P.E.

By Jeff Braun, P.E. I catch myself focusing on the task-at-hand so intently that I often blow right past the finer points of the experiences I’m lucky enough to be enjoying.  Whether I’m at work, or out having a good time, I often fail to slow down and learn more about the team I’m working with and the amazing experiences, skills, and talents they offer. ... Even in my role as Branch President I am amazed at what our fellow members are doing in their roles as engineers within their firms or agencies, as dedicated volunteers for ASCE committees or institutes, or through their support of charitable organizations.  

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ASCE Supports Napa and Ventura Relief Efforts

By Sudi Shoja P.E.

By Sudi Shoja, P.E. F.ASCE Fires in N. California and recent fires in Ventura once again rage through our beautiful state, not just burning through the forests but destroying several thousand residential homes and other buildings.  The loss of life of a fire fighter in the recent Thomas Fires and the destruction left behind are hard to bear at any time but, even more so just prior to the holidays. ASCE has been partnering with California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in responding to disasters. In the last two recent fires, ASCE responded to the calls to provide Safety Assessment Program (SAP) evaluators to assist the local jurisdictions.

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Sustainability Committee - The State of Sustainability 2017, Orange County

By

Welcome to American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE-OC) Sustainability Committee’s State of Sustainability 2017 Report - a comprehensive picture of how sustainability is being approached by a wide range of organizations and agencies in Orange County.   This was a tremendous effort on behalf of the Sustainability Committee!  Continue reading to find the Executive Summary and link to the entire report. 

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ASCE OC Branch - History and Heritage Night / Student Scholarship Night

By Jeff Braun, P.E.

By Jeff Braun, P.E. Civil Engineers from throughout Orange County, and beyond, recognized the contributions of our experienced engineers and the dedication of the upcoming generation at the ASCE Orange County History & Heritage and Student Scholarship Night on November 16, 2017.  Attendees arrived to the red carpet at the Marconi Auto Museum, mingling amongst classic race cars and high-end vehicles. We had a beautiful evening to reconnect with friends, meet new ones, and have a lot of fun.

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ASCE OC EWRI Tech Tour of OCWD Groundwater Replenishment System

By Remi Candaele M.S., P.E.

By Remi Candaele, M.S., P.E. The ASCE OC EWRI Committee was invited by the Orange County Water District (OCWD) to tour the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), also known as the world’s largest purification system for indirect potable use.  A group of 45 attendees was received by Michael Markus, General Manager, and Sandy Scott-Roberts, who serves of the GWRS Program Manager.  The project has garnered more than 40 awards by multiple professional organization, including the ASCE National Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award.

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ASCE Structural Engineering Institute - Local Leaders Conference Held In Chicago

By Aileen Santos-Redman, P.E.

By Aileen Santos-Redman, P.E. The 2017 ASCE SEI Local Leaders Conference took place in Chicago, IL on October 20 & 21. The event kicked off with a welcome from SEI Local Activities Division Chair Brian Hengle.  After lunch, our conference continued with a tour of Chicago architecture by riverboat, and a walking tour of the Riverwalk Expansion Project. The various structures observed from the vantagepoint of the river made for an unforgettable experience that was enjoyed by all, helped by the unseasonably warm weather that Chicago was experiencing that weekend.

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ASCE OC Programs and UESI - Newport Force Main Project

By Joe Gonzalez

By Joe Gonzalez, P.E. ASCE Orange County and UESI held its September lunch event with a presentation by Rob Thompson, PE, Director of Engineering for Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) on the Newport Force Main Project in the City of Newport Beach. OCSD is a public agency that provides wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal services for approximately 2.6 million people in central and northwest Orange County. The project involved the replacing and rehabilitating over 5 miles of existing sewer force main in Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).  

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Geo-Institute - Fundamentals of Torque Down Piles

By Taki Chrysovergis, M.S., P.E.

By Taki Chrysovergis, M.S., P.E. OC Geo-Institute hosted a dinner meeting on October 24, 2017, where Mr. Craig Shields, Principal of Rockridge Geotechnical, provided an overview of torque-down pile (TDP) technology.  The presentation first introduced the TDP technology, which involves advancing steel pipe piles equipped with a conical tip into the ground through downward crowd and torque. The presentation also discussed design nuances that differ from design of conventional piles, and covered advantages and disadvantages associated with the TDP technology.

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ASCE OC Sustainability Committee and T&DI Biking Event

By Charlotte Wu, PE, ENV SP

By Charlotte Wu, P.E., ENV SP Saturday November 4th was the perfect day for bike riding. This was the second joint bike ride of the year, hosted by ASCE Sustainability Committee and the Transportation & Development Institute of Orange County Chapter.

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ASCE K-12 Outreach Committee - La Brea Jr. High School Visit

By Victor Aguirre

By Victor Aguirre ASCE K-12 outreach members visited three high school classes in November and December to introduce students to civil engineering through a presentation and marshmallow tower activity.  See Victor's experience at La Brea Jr. High School.

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ASCE OC YMF - Mentorship Program Informal Event

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By Paul Gabot The 2017-2018 Mentorship Program held its first informal event on November 9th, 2017 at Union Market in Tustin, CA.Mentors and Protégés were able to socialize with one another over beverages and snacks in a relaxed and easy-going environment. The casual atmosphere of the market allowed Mentors and Protégés to freely converse with their respective counterparts as well as other participants in the Mentorship Program.

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ASCE OC Joint YMF - PE Booth, Happy Hour and Social Event

By Chirath "Chuck" Karunathilake

By Chirath "Chuck" Karunathilake Orange County YMF group had the opportunity to join San Bernardino Riverside YMF at the Joint YMF PE Booth & Happy Hour Event on Friday, October 27, 2017 at the Fairplex in Pomona. This joint effort is a bi-annual event created to support the young professionals taking the General CE PE exam. 

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Local News - OCTA - OC Bridges Program Nearing Completion

By Kumari Bharil

By Kumari Bharil The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is nearing completion of the OC Bridges Program. The Program began in 2009 and took $663.9 million to construct seven grade separation projects.  This program is a success due to tremendous collaboration from the cities of Anaheim, Fullerton and Placentia, OCTA Board and staff, elected leaders, supporters of Measure M, consultants, and contractors.  The OC Bridges Program was funded with Federal, State, Measure M2 and other local funds to meet the program cost.

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New Members - December 2017

By Mimi Luk

Please join the Board of Directors in welcoming the newest members to ASCE OC! We look forward to getting to know you and hope to see you at an upcoming meeting.

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Publications Committee - Newsletter Information

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Interested in advertising in our newsletter?  Do you have an interesting topic you would like to share?  We are always looking for new and relevant content to distribute to our members relating to Civil Engineering in Orange County (no ads!)  Please submit your ideas to the Newsletter Committee! You will receive a confirmation email; however, no futher acknowledgement will be sent.  There is no guarantee of publication.

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New Members - January / February 2018

By Mimi Luk

Please join the Board of Directors in welcoming the newest members to ASCE OC! We look forward to getting to know you and hope to see you at an upcoming meeting.

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Board

President
Gary Gilbert, P.E., G.E., ENV SP
President@asceoc.org

Vice President
Steven King, P.E.
VicePresident@asceoc.org

Treasurer
Josue Vaglienty, P.E.
Treasurer@asceoc.org

Secretary
Gregory Henk, P.E.
Secretary@asceoc.org

Past President
Penny Lew, P.E.
PastPresident@asceoc.org

Committee Chairs

YMF
Remi Candaele, P.E.
President@ymf-oc.org

Membership
Anh Ly, P.E.
Anh.Ly@parsons.com

Marketing
John Merrill, P.E., T.E.
jmerrill@hfinc.com

Environmental & Water Resources Institute
Mujahid Chandoo, P.E.
mchandoo@mbakerintl.com

Geo-Institute Chair
Clint Isa, P.E.
clint@diazyourman.com

Public Infrastructure Coalition of OC-PICOC
Yazdan Emrani, P.E.
YEmrani@hfinc.com

Structural Engineering Institute
Doug Moon, P.E.

Engineers Without Borders Liaison
Kofi Baryeh
kbaryeh@jlpatterson.com

OCEC Liaison
C.T. Bathala, P.E.
CT_Bathala@dot.ca.gov

International Committee
C.T. Bathala, P.E.
CT_Bathala@dot.ca.gov

Continuing Education
Wei Zhu, P.E., T.E., P.M.P
Wei.Zhu@ocpw.ocgov.com

Transportation Technical Group
Shafi Sharifan,Ph.D., P.E.
ssharifan@idcengineers.com

Students Activities
VACANT

Government Affairs
Ravi Shah, P.E.
ravi.shah@hdrinc.com

K-12 Outreach, Co-Chair
VACANT

K-12 Outreach, Co-Chair
Brianna Arth
Brianna.Arth@stantec.com

Awards/Nominations
Tapas Dutta, P.E.
tdutta@harris-assoc.com

Public Relations
Lisa Hadley, E.I.T.
Lisa.Hadley@parsons.com

Programs
VACANT

Newsletter and Website
VACANT

Sustainability
Sam Ali, P.E. and Nathan Chase, P.E.
sam.ali@ocpw.ocgov.com

Life Member Forum
VACANT

History and Heritage
VACANT

Professional Development
VACANT

Social
VACANT

Community Service
VACANT

Disaster Preparedness
Sudi Shoja, P.E.
sudi@dsservices.org

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