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PAGE
22 CONTENTS
THE COVER
Urban Underground
HNTB's Sanja Zlatanic: A Happy Mole – story on page 10

CHANNELS
BUSINESS NEWS
13 2020 Insurance Marketplace: What to Expect
18 An Interview with Nikhil Choudhary and David Renard of
Zenith Engineers Inc.
21 A Look Back: Catching Up with Paul Greenhagen, 2019
Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award Winner
ENVIRONMENTAL + SUSTAINABILITY
22 Protecting Infrastructure Through Stream Restorations
TRANSPORTATION
25 A New Connection: Comcast Pedestrian Tunnel
26 Intelligent Compaction is the Key
WATER + STORMWATER
28 Machine Learning in Mineral Wells
33 5 Ways Utility Valuation Can Help Protect Municipalities
GEOSPATIAL
34 Choosing the Right Antenna for GPR Investigations
SOFTWARE + TECH
38 Wet-weather Infrastructure: Smart Analysis and TOTEX
Planning Equal Savings and Resilience
UNMANNED SYSTEMS
42 Ground Penetrating Radar: The Unlikely New Hero of
Autonomous Vehicles
LAND DEVELOPMENT
46 Construction Challenges of Rail in an Urban Environment
51 Innovative Stormwater System Provides Maximized
Footprint for Charter School Expansion
PROJECT DELIVERY
55 Strong Connections

PAGE
26 departments
8 Events
57 Benchmarks
56 Reader Index

Columns
5 From the Publisher: Underground
Jamie Claire Kiser

PAGE
49
march 2020 csengineermag.com 3
VOLUME 6 ISSUE 3
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ART director Civil + Structural Engineer (ISSN 23726717) is published monthly by Zweig Group, 1200
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 from the publisher

Underground – the theme of this month’s C+S issue – has two definitions, according
Underground to Merriam-Webster. The first is more appropriate on its face for our publication:
“beneath the surface of the earth.” The second definition is “in concealment or
secrecy; not openly,” and carries related words including radical, experimental,
In every sense unconventional, and revolutionary. To merge these concepts is to better define the
intention behind this month’s edition and to apply new approaches to the same
design challenges that civil and structural engineers have always encountered.

In mulling over the word “underground” over the last few weeks during my
interactions with clients, colleagues, and the industry, I realize I’ve stumbled into
this word or concept several times recently.

The one specific example that has particularly resonated with me is something we
learned at the kick-off meeting for Zweig Group’s inaugural ElevateHer cohort
program. ElevateHer is a special task force comprised of individuals with a
commitment to promote diversity as a means to combat recruiting and retention
challenges in the AEC industry. This inaugural group will operate as a think tank,
developing strategies to help solve the greatest challenge facing the industry,
recruiting and retention of the work force.

One might go so far as to categorize the launch of this program itself as both
“experimental” and “unconventional,” but that’s not the “underground” example
I’m referring to. Instead, it’s an excerpt from an email I received from a bright
structural engineer who works as a project manager. To paraphrase: “I want the
cohort to know that their initiatives don’t have to be earth-shattering for the industry
to be earth-shattering for individuals. I’m constantly having clients look to the
subordinate male on site visits with me, and I think a lot of the reason is that I look
like a little kid when I can’t find a hardhat that fits my head. Why don’t they make
them in women’s sizes? It’s not just about authority, it’s a safety issue. A hat that fits
would make a huge impact for me and for women and all other small-headed people
in terms of non-verbal authority cues.”

It’s a simple request: a hat that fits. But it would empower a bright project manager
in a leadership role to navigate more confidently when she is on site, leading a team
and serving a client, which could change her entire career.

What else is right in front of us – hidden in plain sight – buried just slightly
underground enough to have slipped past the industry undetected with the power to
transform and improve our industry?

JAMIE CLAIRE KISER is managing principal and director of advisory services at Zweig Group. Contact her
at [email protected].

march 2020 csengineermag.com 5

 2020 Seminar
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march 2020 csengineermag.com 9

business news

Urban Underground
HNTB’s Sanja Zlatanic: a Happy Mole
By Richard Massey

There’s no doubt about it. Sanja Zlatanic, Senior Vice President and
Chair of the HNTB National Tunnel Practice, loves mega-projects.
Confronting epic problems and managing the associated risk is what
she does best. Existing constraints, the concerns of communities and
stakeholders, multi-billion-dollar price tags, and meticulous team
building are all part of the package when you’re boring tunnels under
cities or bodies of water. New York, Baltimore, Los Angeles, San Fran-
cisco, Seattle, and Istanbul – Zlatanic has made her name working on
the industry’s premier tunneling projects over the last three decades.
But if you want to get a true measure of her ability to handle whatever
is in front of her, you might as well go back to the early years, when
the University of Belgrade graduate was just starting out. She was in
Iraq on a government contract in 1990 when Saddam Hussein invaded
Kuwait. She and the team were not allowed to leave until their proj-
ect was done, so they went into overdrive, closing out a four-month
job in just 21 days. Zlatanic returned to Belgrade, but at that time the
former Yugoslavia was disintegrating into war. She and her husband
Jusuf fled, obtaining their visas in Budapest, Hungary before heading
to the United States. Once in New York City, Zlatanic hunkered down
in a small apartment for three months, consuming language tapes,
books, and TV shows to learn enough English to get through a job
interview. It worked. In 1992 she was hired by Parsons Brinkerhoff On the job site, Istanbul Strait Crossing, Asia portal. Photo: HNTB
and was there for nearly 20 years, mastering the tunneling trade, before
joining HNTB in 2011. With an office on the 58th floor of the Empire overlying buildings and facilities that need to remain fully operational
State Building, Zlatanic has a nice view of the Freedom Tower and the all the time, or adjacent rail or road operations that must be in full
Statue of Liberty, fitting reminders that she’s living her American and service at 5 a.m. every morning. Also, it can be a challenge finding
engineering dreams. For dreams to come true, however, they must be ways to explain the project to impacted businesses and communities
chased, which is what Zlatanic did when, as the borders of her home- at every step, incrementally, demonstrating that safety would never
land closed, she made her great escape. be compromised at any point during construction and that impacts
are measured, sensitive to everyday life of the communities, and of a
“There is no event on the job that can stress me any more than that,” temporary nature.
she said. “I was prepared later in life for anything.”
A notable example of a “grand” underground concept is the East Side
A Conversation with Sanja Zlatanic Access project that extends the Long Island Rail Road from its main
line in Queens into a new station under Grand Central Terminal on
Civil + Structural Engineer: Your resume speaks for itself. You have Manhattan's East Side. In the beginning, the project was envisioned
been associated with some of the biggest and most important tunneling as a ‘shallow’ option directly connecting to the lower level of Metro
projects in the United States for the last 30 years. What draws you to North Railroad. We realized early on that such a concept would have
these mega-projects? significant impacts on several high-rise buildings along Park Avenue,
some of those historical, and worked with the project owner to make
Sanja Zlatanic: Primarily, it’s the ability to work with architects and it an underground project while reducing impacts. We envisioned the
planners to create a practical project configuration that can be material- project in a form of two parallel ‘twin’ caverns housing four platforms
ized and constructed within the constraints of actual subsurface condi- each and a mezzanine in-between. Cross-passages and escalator-ways
tions, often in a dense urban environment. connecting these two large facilities were placed directly below the
streets minimizing effects to the overlying buildings. I recall long ses-
It is a real thrill to conceptualize large and complex underground sions our team held with the lead architect to plan these gigantic un-
undertakings while working with existing project constraints; either derground spaces. They needed to meet operational, safety, and main-

10 csengineermag.com march 2020

 SELECT PROJECTS
AMTRAK – Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Tunnel in Baltimore, Maryland
Preliminary engineering studies and environmental analyses of
the B&P Tunnel to improve rail service, reliability and address a
longstanding bottleneck along Amtrak's busy Northeast Corridor (NEC).

LA Metro – Crenshaw/LAX LRT Line, Los Angeles, CA

Design of underground segment of this $2B design build
program for HNTB as a lead designer of a DB team.

MTA – Long Island Rail Road, East Side Access/ Grand Central
Connection, New York, NY
Design manager who led the design development of the
Manhattan segment deep station alternative and was
responsible for the delivery of the final documents that resulted
in the selection of the deep station scheme for this $7.6 billion project.

Celebrating the opening of the Istanbul Strait Tube Crossing with design build MTA Bridges and Tunnels (TBTA), Brooklyn Battery Tunnel Wall
contractors and P3 concessionaire. Photo: HNTB
and Ceiling Rehabilitation, New York, NY
tenance requirements, as well as midtown Manhattan’s environmental Project engineer during the project’s construction stage, this
constrains during construction. It was like “building a ship in a bottle.” project for MTA Bridges and Tunnels comprised tunnel ceiling
rehabilitation, liner repair for damage caused by water leakage
Most of the tunnel spoil removal was going through the Queens access
and roadway lighting improvements for the 9,717-foot-long
shaft a few miles away. The project, clearly the largest undertaking in (3,000-meter-long) Brooklyn Battery Tunnel – the second
New York City in a long time, is expected to open in a few years so the longest underwater crossing in the U.S. – connecting lower
opening day is not that far away. Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Another example of grand conceptual thinking is Santa Clara Valley Republic of Turkey Ministry of Transport, Istanbul Strait Road
Transportation Authority’s BART Silicon Valley Extension, Phase II, Crossing (Eurasia) Tunnel, Istanbul, Turkey
where we suggested a single bore concept to minimize construction Category 3 structures, systems and facilities for this $1.35B
impact through downtown San Jose. This is the first time this approach Istanbul Strait Road Tube Crossing project of 14.5 km in length
that includes 5.4 km of road tunnels and 3.4km Bosphorus Strait
is being used in the United States. VTA as the owner and BART as
Crossing double-deck bored highway tunnel 13.2m in diameter,
an operator had demonstrated great stamina and willpower to work and 2km Asian and European side tunnel approaches (roadways,
together to resolve technical challenges. They jointly conceived an toll plazas, ventilation and system buildings and facilities).
operational scheme that responds to the needs of both users and op-
erators. Working with savvy program managers on both sides is very San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Central
helpful; they saw the value of the project from the beginning and Subway Project – Underground Stations, San Francisco, CA
worked tirelessly with the engineering team, side-by-side, to explore Underground stations of San Francisco’s Central Subway project
all challenges and potential paths to solve them. as part of a tri-venture on this project that consists of 1.8 miles
of twin tunnels 20-feet in diameter and three underground
stations at a cost of $1.58 billion.
C+S: What’s your message to women who are thinking about entering
the engineering profession in general, and tunneling in particular? Washington State DOT – Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement
Panel and technical oversight lead for $2.4 Billion design build
SZ: Women play very important roles in the tunnel industry. I have no- project of 2.1 miles bored tunnel that replaces the Alaskan Way
ticed throughout my career that teams that have the benefits of diverse Viaduct along the central Seattle waterfront.
participation, especially when solving complex challenges and explor-
ing innovations, are generally more productive. A few decades ago, The Zlatanic File
there were a handful of us that had made this career choice; however, Sanja and husband Jusuf, a gastroenterologist in New York, have
today many more young female professionals are interested in tun- two sons, Viktor and Matthew.
nels and underground engineering. This has been very refreshing and
encouraging. They will find this industry supportive and rewarding. I SZ: Tunneling and underground projects are among the riskiest en-
have never met a woman who expressed a regret about being in the tun- gineering practice areas; solid engineering judgement and practical
neling industry, so I guess this makes it a “happy” career choice as well. solutions that always have safety as a primary concern are paramount.
Throughout the years, I have learned that the only way to successfully
C+S: You’ve said New York turned out to be a great proving ground conquer great challenges is to rely on a team contribution, and having
for you as many large tunnel projects took place there early in your the courage to pursue one’s own vision and convictions. Often it is not
career. Looking back at that time, what were the most important career easy, but while practicing perseverance, respect, and camaraderie that
lessons you learned? are very typical for the tunnel industry, it is possible. Courage is a big

march 2020 csengineermag.com 11

component as well. One should speak his or her mind, especially when SZ: ACUUS was established in 1996 and was subsequently incorpo-
having an idea that may move a project forward. rated. The organization has an important non-governmental function;
it establishes a unique world “coalition” of experts that designs, plans,
C+S: As you well know, tunnel projects are risky. How does the pres- analyzes, and decides upon the sustainable use of urban underground
ence of such great risk inform the decisions you make when working space. It was designed to connect public and private sectors with
on a project? academia’s latest research and related findings in terms of the use of
underground space. Also, it created a platform for exchange and co-
SZ: Dealing with risks is challenging in every profession, and this is operation. As Secretary General, and a member of the ACUUS Board,
especially true for the tunnel industry. Risks, if not well understood and I am active within this framework and able to learn and transfer my
managed, may lead to major events that could impact lives, material experiences, especially in the realm of integrated planning and design;
property, and even regional economies. Therefore, risk management is sustainable approach to the environment; as well as safety and techni-
one of the most important subject matters on tunnel projects that needs cal innovations. Embracing disruptive technologies to help resolve the
to be addressed continuously, from the very onset of the project to its issues of urbanization and overcrowding, and finding ways to better
closure. Risk register is a living document that not only defines differ- plan and utilize urban underground space for a purpose of freeing
ent areas and levels of risk, including technical, but recognizes parties surface resources (already very limited), is another realm ACUUS is
that are best equipped to handle various risk elements throughout the ready to tackle.
life of the project. Those parties could be designers, owners, or con-
tractors. Recognizing early technical and other risks and having a plan C+S: You grew up in the former Yugoslavia and fled the war there in
to address them is a must in our industry. The best way of dealing with 1991. These days, you have an office in the Empire State Building. That
risks is their avoidance, whenever possible. In this realm, establish- is a remarkable journey for a variety of reasons, and is symbolic of the
ing the right project configuration and understanding the subsurface American Dream. What role did engineering and tunneling play in this
conditions and environmental factors for practical construction often is incredible life/career arc?
a crucial step. Dealing with risks in construction that could have been
avoided in design is the wrong way to manage the issue. SZ: Yes, you are right – my engineering dream had pretty much over-
lapped with my American dream. I tend to associate my growth as a
C+S: The Alaska Way Viaduct Replacement was transformative for professional and as an American primarily to the hard work, persistence,
Seattle. The project also used “Bertha,” an extremely large boring tremendous will power to continue working on self-improvement, trust
machine. The tunnel opened to traffic last year. With the Seattle project in the professionals I am working with, and above all, with my fam-
in mind, what is the future of tunnels here in the United States and ily that has always supported me through this journey. Starting with a
abroad, and how will they shape the urban landscape? well-known tunneling company, learning tools of the trade and how,
when and where to use them, as well as being able to work alongside
SZ: Rapid urbanization and growing migrations from rural to urban the biggest names in the U.S. tunneling industry, played a big part in
areas have been worldwide issues for a few decades. It is expected that my career.
in less than three decades about two-thirds of the world population
will live in cities. The cities would need to double in size to accommo- C+S: What was the most challenging project you have ever worked on
date such growth. This issue is much more pronounced in the United and why?
States since the nation’s urban population growth already outpaced the
overall growth over a decade ago. In 2015, about 83 percent of the SZ: Every project has its own challenges. Possibly the most challeng-
total population in the United States lived in urban areas. It is being ing one was, sadly, one that was cancelled – Access to Region’s Core,
projected that in 2050 this number will be over 87 percent. Therefore, the tunnel project that is being revived in the form of the Gateway
there is a real urgency to make our own cities ready for such urban project. This project had all the great technical challenges one would
population increases. The issues of livability, quality of life, and ef- look for in a tunneling project, as well as challenges of working with
fectiveness of transportation networks are of special concern. Cities multiple agencies and stakeholders. All of it is to be revived in the
are finding their own unique ways in addressing those issues. Seattle new project the industry has been waiting for. Applying lessons learned
is a notable example. The city adopted utilization of a large double and previous experiences, and working with tunnel industry veterans
deck tunnel beneath downtown Seattle to improve mobility. With the addressing similar challenges will be refreshing. I hope it gets to that
decision to demolish the old viaduct, they brought the shoreline closer point soon.
to their people and communities. Bertha, at the time the largest bored
tunnel machine in the world, completed her journey on a high note and C+S: Building great teams. What’s the secret?
with exceptional performance. Generally, recent advancements of tun-
neling technologies permit better utilization of underground space and SZ: Trust, trust, trust. Also, technical competence, strong will to learn,
allow surfaces to be considered for more noble uses that bring signifi- and having open and cordial relationships with team members while
cant improvements to quality of life in overcrowded urban dwellings. understanding their issues and aspirations.

C+S: Tell us about your work with the Associated Research Centers for As chair of HNTB’s National Tunnel Practice, I am leading an exem-
Urban Underground Space (ACUUS). plary group of national tunnel experts that practice technical excel-

12 csengineermag.com march 2020

lence, demonstrate a high level of professional integrity, and serve as SZ: I recently started reviving old partnerships and making new con-
thought leaders and mentors for younger generations of tunnel profes- nections through activities with ACUUS. That part of Europe has some
sionals. I am very proud of them all. of the world’s brightest and bravest minds and I certainly hope it will
soon be more open to worldly exchanges.
C+S: Are you recognized in Belgrade, and do you return there for
personal and/or professional reasons? RICHARD MASSEY is a freelance writer based in Northwest Arkansas. He can be
reached at [email protected].

2020 Insurance Department of Labor and other governmental organizations

• Money spent paying uncovered losses or funding deductibles

Marketplace: • Your time and your employees’ time spent dealing with losses
• Productivity costs due to time lost by injured workers and the cost of train-

What to Expect
ing new workers
• The cost of insurance (less than 50 percent of the Cost of Risk, in many cases)

By Jeff Cavignac, James P. Schabarum, Jase Hamilton, and Our job as an insurance broker is to help our clients manage these
Patrick Casinelli costs. Insurance premiums are based on a number of factors, including
the type of business, loss experience, and safety practices. Any busi-
ness will have a number of different exposures and require a number
Insurance is a unique product— the classic intangible. You have to of different policies to provide the appropriate protection. In addition
have it for various reasons, and the right insurance can provide your to these factors, the amount a company pays for insurance is also im-
business with critical protection while opening up opportunities that pacted by the insurance marketplace.
wouldn’t exist otherwise.
Insurance is a supply-driven business. While demand stays relatively
Most people view insurance as a necessary evil. After all, you might consistent (it will ebb and flow with the general economy), surplus
pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for a product you hope you don’t can go up and down. Loosely defined, surplus is how much liquid
need. If you use it, it will cost more when it renews, and if you use it capital the industry has in their coffers and includes money that is set
a lot the additional cost can seriously affect a company’s profitability. aside to pay future claims as well as any additional capital held by the
Insurance is also complex. Most construction firm owners don’t want insurance company.
to be experts, but they need to understand insurance well enough to be
able to effectively manage it for their company. Our own clients rely Specific ratios determine how much premium can safely be written
on us to evaluate their exposures to loss, develop risk management given a certain amount of surplus. If the ratio of premium to surplus
strategies to lower the frequency and severity of their claims, and to ne- gets too high, the insurance company’s credit rating (as quantified by
gotiate appropriate coverage placed with the right insurance company the A. M. Best Company and other rating agencies) could ultimately
at the lowest realistic cost. impair the insurance company’s ability to operate. If surplus goes
down, insurance companies must write less insurance, which causes
It is also important to put insurance in perspective. As we know it, rates to go up. Similarly, if surplus goes up, rates tend to go down. The
our economy could not survive without it. The financial guarantee it industry’s surplus has grown significantly since 2011 (See Table 1)
provides (along with surety) is the safety net that allows money to be and this has resulted in flat and, in some cases, decreasing rates over
lent, contracts to be awarded, and assets and liabilities to be protected. that same period. 2018 resulted in the first decrease in surplus (albeit
Insurance can be expensive. For some businesses, it can be their high- modest) in some time and this concerns many in the industry.
est expense after compensation. This number could double or more if Insurance Cycle Table
you factor in the other costs of risk, such as: $ in Billions
Description 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Net Written Premium $418.40 $423.80 $438.0 $456.90 $477.7 $487.6 $505.8 $523.5 $552.6 $594.07
• Your time spent analyzing risk Combined Ratio 101 102.4 108.1 103.2 96.1 97.0 97.8 100.7 103.7 99.2

• Money spent on Risk Control, including salaries for Human Resources, Investment Income $47.1 $47.6 $49.1 $48.0 $47.4 $46.2 47.2 46.3 49.0 55.3

Safety and Claims Management Operating Income $45.0 $38.2 $15.4 $33.3 $64.3 $55.6 57.3 42.6 20.3 56.6

Policyholder Surplus $511.50 $556.90 $553.70 $586.8 $653.3 $674.7 $673.7 700.9 752.5 742.16
• The cost of educating employees on safe practices Return on Avg. Net Worth 5.0% 5.6% 3.0% 5.1% 10.3% 8.4% 8.4% 6.2% 5.0% 8.0%

• The cost of complying with all the various laws imposed by OSHA, the Source: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org)

march 2020 csengineermag.com 13

The other factor you have to look at is Return on Average Net Worth. rated and it is not uncommon to see increases of 5 percent to 15 percent
The insurance industry needs to attract capital, and it competes with or more. Underwriters are also looking to increase deductibles on
every other business to do so. If you look at Table 1, you will note Employment Practices Liability. It is getting more difficult to obtain
that, over the last five years, returns have ranged from 5 to 8.4 percent defense coverage for Wage & Hour claims (indemnity damages have
and averaged 7.2 percent. These types of returns don’t excite investors never been covered for Wage & Hour lawsuits).
and the industry would ideally like to see their return at 10 percent or
higher. While the industry has been trying to increase rates for the past Cyber Insurance - Cyber Insurance covers both first- and third-party
several years, the robust surplus numbers have kept the market com- damages. Most policies have numerous coverage parts, and every
petitive enough to basically keep rates in line. That is slowly changing. Cyber policy is different. While the current cost is fairly modest, we
Rates are starting to trend up. have seen claims on the rise. Because the marketplace is still competi-
tive, we only expect modest increases this year; but if the loss trends
So, if you are budgeting your insurance costs in 2020, what can you expect? continue, prices will have to go up. Note that every business, no matter
how small, needs Cyber Insurance nowadays.
Property Insurance - Property underwriters have experienced several
poor years in a row due to a number of factors, with the main one Professional Liability - We are seeing some of the opportunistic insur-
being catastrophe-type claims. Because of this, the insurance compa- ance companies that jumped into the Professional Liability marketplace
nies are carefully underwriting existing and new business. In general, starting to exit. Regardless, this line of coverage remains competitive
preferred risks can expect rate increases of 5-10 percent in 2020. Any and preferred design professionals, attorneys, accountants and other
property that is even close to a brush area, however, can see dramatic professionals can expect flat to modest rate increases. Recognize that
rate increases. The 2018 California wildfires hammered property in- every Professional Liability policy is different as are the companies
surers (over 30,000 homes destroyed) and this is affecting pricing for that offer the coverage. Even more so than most commercial insur-
both personal and commercial lines. It is also driving rates up in the ance lines of coverage, Professional Liability is not a commodity. It is
Builders Risk segment, especially for frame construction. critical that you understand the coverage you are buying, as well as the
claims-handling abilities and risk control services that are offered by
General Liability Insurance - General Liability results have deterio- the insurance company and your broker.
rated as well, and underwriters are looking carefully at the risks they
insure. They are also seeking rate increases. While some businesses Workers Compensation - Rates across the country continue to trend
will see flat renewal pricing, most will see rate increases of 5 percent down for Workers Compensation, especially in California. Table 2 in-
or more. dicates that the average rates charged in California have dropped over
30 percent in the last five years and a whopping 66 percent since 2003.
Auto Insurance - Auto rates continue to increase. It is not uncom- It is anticipated that rates will continue to drop in 2020. Assuming a
mon to see prices go up 10-20 percent or more, and this is not the first consistent Experience Modification, most of our clients can budget flat
year this has happened. This is driven by both an increase in frequency to minus 10 percent.
and severity of claims. Frequency is attributable to distracted driving. Table 2 - California Workers’ Compensation
The number of rear-end accidents has doubled in the last five years. $ Dollars Industry Average Charged Rate per $100 of Payroll
Severity is being adversely impacted by the cost to fix a modern ve-
hicle (cameras and sensors are expensive) and the increased cost of
6.02
6.00 5.73

medical bills for those injured in accidents. Five years ago, it was not 4.66 4.74

uncommon to see average repair costs for a private passenger vehicle 4.00

or pickup truck of about $1,000. Today, the average can be $1,800,

3.47
3.24 2.97 2.96
2.90

$2,000 or higher. To obtain the most favorable rates, underwriters like

2.81
2.52 2.50 2.52
2.15 2.25 2.32 2.26
2.10 2.04

to see a five-year loss ratio of 25 percent or less in addition to well-

2.00

written Fleet Safety Programs that are being effectively implemented.

0.00

Excess Liability - Excess Liability pricing is based on the premiums

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Policy Year
of the underlying policies over which it provides coverage. While the
percentage rate of the primary cost is staying consistent, Excess Liabil- We expect to see insurance prices in general increase 5-10 percent,
ity pricing has increased, just as auto premiums have. We should point with the exception of Workers Compensation. Insurance premiums,
out that anyone working for a gas and electric company in California however, need to be kept in perspective. They are only one component
should be forewarned. One such company is now requiring that any in the cost of risk. As mentioned above and illustrated in the sidebar,
contractor who wants to work on its projects carry $50M in general insurance is often 50 percent or less of the total cost of risk.
liability limits. The excess market for this exposure has all but disap-
peared, and arranging this coverage is outrageously expensive. Surety Outlook 2020: Capitalizing on your Capacity
As 2019 comes to a close, the overall economy remains positive and
Executive Risk including Directors & Officers, Employment Prac- continues to grow. Though at a slower pace than experienced in 2018
tices and Fiduciary Liability - Experience in these lines has deterio- and early 2019, 2020 should continue to show slow to moderate growth

14 csengineermag.com march 2020

 Direct Premium Written
$7

$6

$5
Billions

$4

$3

$2
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018

as the forecasts of many economists shift gears to a more Default Insurance (SDI) in the market. SDI is an alternate product to
cautious outlook. bonding and, over the past 5-10 years, has experienced sizeable losses
due to poor management of aggregate exposures. However, recent
Although continued optimism may be declining for some, the surety guideline changes and market conditions have given SDI new life, and
and construction industry remains very fruitful. The Surety industry this has attracted a number of new players to the SDI marketplace.
is reporting another record year in direct premium written and overall
capacity, and the availably of credit is at an all-time high. Contractors’ Although margins are good and backlogs are increasing, contractors
backlogs are strong and profit margins appear to show signs of not only are still facing a wide range of challenges similar to that we’ve seen
stabilization, but also slight increases in some trades. over the past few years, including labor shortages, rising material costs
and the uncertainty of fiscal and government policy.
In 2018, The Surety and Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) re-
ported overall direct premium written of $6.6 billion, up from $6.2 Even with the small-to-large markets having such strong results in 2018,
billion in 2017. The SFAA anticipates similar growth results for 2019 not all is smooth sailing, notably in the megaproject arena (greater than
and likely 2020, with relatively low losses across the board. $250M) where the Surety industry has experienced sizable losses and
we’ve seen some significant contractor failures. These large losses may
Parallel with the Surety industry’s results, non-residential public con- be isolated but, once fully realized, could have a significant impact
struction spending remains up nearly 6.4 percent from this time a year on the overall construction and Surety industries. This will eventually
ago. With an election year on the horizon, and increasing infrastructure lead to a correction in these markets.
needs, non-residential spending should continue to grow in 2020.
This begs the question, “Are you prepared for the next downturn?”
The availability of credit is in abundance for both small (under $10
million), medium ($10 - $100 million) and large ($100 - $250 mil- Be Prepared
lion) size contractors. Because of the appearance of an endless surplus It’s easy for business owners to fall victim to the trap of maintaining
of work, many contractors are pushing their aggregate programs and the status quo, especially during times of prosperity. Most contractors
continuing to show healthy backlogs going into 2020. The excessive simply lack the focus or do not see the value in assessing their opera-
amount of credit in the small-to-large markets has led many surety tional procedures and committing to improving on them until forced by
companies to soften their underwriting guidelines in an effort to obtain a market shift or project failure.
additional market share. This has been great for the surety consumer
but will likely have a detrimental long-term impact on inevitable future However, “Best in Class” business owners understand that now, dur-
surety industry loss results. ing prosperous times, is the right time to perform an internal audit of
their company’s capacities to capitalize on opportunities and guarantee
Another interesting trend in 2019 is resurgence of Subcontractor both short- and long-term success. An operational audit should focus

march 2020 csengineermag.com 15

on improving deficiencies and strengthening efficiency in standard now look to proactively service debt loads when unearned profits in backlogs
operating procedures, internal controls and the successful execution of are strong.
your overall business plan.
In lieu of significant labor shortages, rising material costs and uncer-
If you wait for the market to dictate your actions, you will not only tain political policies, both domestic and international signs indicate
miss valuable opportunities, but you may find yourself in a distressed that 2020 will be another profitable year for the Surety industry. Direct
position when the next recession occurs. Here are a few areas that all premium written and construction revenues should be up, contractor
contractors should be focusing on: failures should remain relatively low, margins should continue to rise,
and, for most, backlogs should remain strong.
1. Human Resources / Risk Control – How a company attracts, trains and
retains great people has a dramatic impact on its success. Consider includ- While there is an overall positive forecast for next year, there are some
ing a Growth and Development Advisor (GDA) on your management team contractors who are experiencing growing pains and having a difficult
to drive a strategic approach and attack the ongoing labor challenges that time managing increased backlogs. But those that are thriving in the
have plagued the construction industry. Building a best-in-class culture and current market should not neglect the importance of taking the time
onboarding process will pay dividends many times over. to reflect on their strengths and focus on improvements for short- and
long-term success.
2. Project Controls – Adopting and integrating advanced communication
and technology into all phases of your business will have a significant im- Health Insurance Outlook for 2020
pact on morale, productivity and overall profitability. Rapid developments in The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has two parts that will affect the small
artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and industry specific automation and data group (2-99 employees) in 2020:
management tools are creating competitive advantages for early adaptors.
From estimating and material and equipment procurement to subcontract • HIT = Health Insurer Tax, which began in 2014 with ACA, is a tax of roughly
management and project execution, the opportunities are endless for im- 2 percent that health insurers must pay to the federal government and which
proving efficiencies. must be built into the rates. Congress suspended HIT for 2017 and for 2019,
but HIT is back again for 2020. So this means that rates for policy periods in
3. Financial Controls – Much like project controls, updating your accounting any months during 2020 need to be relatively higher than 2019 due to the
software to ensure your business is utilizing the right accounting system is need to include HIT.
a crucial component to driving your success. The process should begin with
evaluating the market options and discussing your company’s needs with RADV stands for Risk Adjustment Data Validation, and is the process
your accounting team and trusted advisors. Whether it’s a fully integrated or that CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medical Services) uses to ensure
standalone product, regularly updating your accounting system and controls the accuracy and integrity of risk adjustment data (diagnosis codes,
will produce more efficiency and, as a result, increase bottom-line success. etc.) that are used to determine the risk adjustment transfer payments:
i.e. the amount of money a carrier receives due to having members with
4. Contract Procurement and Management – Understanding and know- worse risk and the amount of money a carrier pays out due to having
ing the best procurement methods for your company and project team are healthier members.
critical in today’s contracting environment. Those firms that don’t properly
manage the risks associated with hybrid delivery models -- including P3, IPD, The Cadillac Tax, which was intended to help fund benefits to the un-
CM/GC, MP, DBB and even some DB (Design/Build) obligations with errone- insured, is still on the table. Most do not think this will be implemented
ous efficiency guarantees -- could find themselves in a vicious financial trap until after the 2020 election. If the Cadillac Tax goes through, a 40
with unsophisticated owners, design professionals and/or subcontractors. percent tax on the cost of health plans where the premium is above
$10,200 per individual and $27,500 for family coverage will be added.
5. Succession/Continuity - Succession planning is a topic most owners
avoid. For many, it signifies the culmination of your life’s work and it’s easier Throughout 2019, we saw minimal increases mostly due to age and
to ignore and put it off until it’s absolutely necessary. However, failing to plan changes. Blue Shield handed out the largest increases, which were
effectively develop a detailed plan can have grave consequences, not only due to the HIT and RADV mentioned above.
for your company but for business owners and their families. Work with your
advisors to develop a well thought-out and comprehensive succession plan. Each of us will be one year older in 2020, which means our rates will
The process may take years, but if done right, it can ensure the continued automatically increase. For 2020, we expect low single-digit rate
success and legacy of your business for you and your loved ones. increases and minimal plan changes. Rates for all “small” employers
(2-99 eligible employees) will be based on the employee and their
6. Pay-Off Debt – To manage swelling backlogs, some contractors have been dependents’ individual ages, plan design and location of the company.
increasingly dependent on their bank lines of credit or other debt facilities to For example, a family of five will pay for each family member based
help bolster cashflow. The challenge this presents is that, once the economy on each individual’s age and the plan they select.
enters the next recession and companies experience reduced revenue and
backlogs, contractors might find it increasingly difficult to service outstand- We forecast additional plan changes in 2020 that will remain compli-
ing debt obligations. To ease this potential burden, business owners should ant with ACA guidelines. All of the major insurance companies have

16 csengineermag.com march 2020

 Total Nonresidential Construction Spending
800,000
Value - Seasonally Adjusted Anual Rate (Millions)

790,000

780,000

770,000

760,000

750,000

740,000

730,000

720,000

710,000

700,000
Jul-17

Jul-18

Jul-19
Jun-17

Jun-18

Jun-19
Nov-16

Nov-17

Nov-18
Apr-17
May-17

Apr-18
May-18

Apr-19
May-19
Aug-16

Dec-16

Aug-17

Dec-17

Aug-18

Dec-18

Aug-19
Mar-17

Jan-18
Feb-18
Mar-18

Sep-18

Jan-19
Feb-19
Mar-19
Sep-16

Jan-17
Feb-17

Sep-17
Oct-16

Oct-17

Oct-18
determined that, in order to stay in compliance with the ACA’s metallic Captives, self-funding and partially self-funded plans continue to
tier guidelines, they must change plan benefits every year. Using the be popular and could be a viable option for companies with over 50
Platinum Plan as an example, if the actuarial value of a plan this year employees. Additional ways to reduce costs include buying a Bronze
was $1,000, then the Platinum Plan has to cover 90 percent ($900) and Level Plan and supplementing it with Cancer, Hospital, Accident and
pass 10 percent ($100) to the plan member. In the second year, if the Critical Illness plans.
actuarial value goes up to $1,100, 10 percent ($110) can be passed to
the plan member. This will always be a moving target until the values Conclusion
are fixed or the law is changed. While it is important that you have a basic understanding of the eco-
nomics of the insurance industry and how this can affect your business,
For insurance carriers to be competitive in 2020, they will continue there is nothing you can do about it. The market is the market. What
to see plans that offer Skinny Network choices, which offer a smaller you can control is how your company manages risk. Risk management
number of providers. Skinny Network plans might offer an attractive is “market agnostic.” It needs to be front and center all the time.
price, but employees will have a limited choice of doctors. Be sure In the long run, the only way to reduce the cost of risk is to reduce
to run a report to compare current providers to those associated with the frequency and severity of claims that drive the cost. An effective
any programs you are considering. Insurance carriers continue to seek risk management program coupled with a proactive risk management-
greater discounts from hospitals, medical groups and doctors and are oriented insurance brokerage and the right insurance company is the
offering patient exclusivity in return. Some insurance carriers will al- key to lowering your total cost of risk. Investment in risk management
low Skinny Networks to be offered side-by-side with full networks, will produce great returns and directly impact your bottom line.
with the price and contribution being set by the employer to favor one
or the other.
JEFF CAVIGNAC, CPCU, RPLU, ARM, JAMES P. SCHABARUM II, CPCU, AFSB, AND PATRICK
CASINELLI, RHU, REBC, CHRS, are Principals and Jase Hamilton, CPCU, AFSB, is
Employee satisfaction increases with choice of medical plans and net- a Surety Account Executive for Cavignac & Associates, a leading risk manage-
works, so the more choices offered, the better the employees feel about ment and commercial insurance brokerage firm providing a broad range of
their benefits package. Also, ancillary (Dental, Life, Disability and insurance and expertise to design and construction firms, as well as to law
firms, real estate-related entities, manufacturing companies and the general
Vision) and supplemental (Accident, Cancer, Hospital, etc.) benefits business community. The firm employs a staff of 55-plus people at offices
have shown to greatly improve employee satisfaction, which will help located at 450 B Street, Suite 1800, San Diego, Calif., 92101. More informa-
your organization hire and retain the best employees. tion about the company can be found on the Web at www.cavignac.com.

march 2020 csengineermag.com 17

business news

An Interview with Nikhil

Choudhary and David Renard
of Zenith Engineers Inc.
By Editorial Staff

Civil and Structural Engineer recently sat down with Nikhil Choudhary
and Davide Renard, two members of the engineering industry making
a splash with San Francisco-based, Zenith Engineers Inc. This firm
takes a unique approach to its clients, project delivery, and technology,
hoping to change industry standards for service, quality, and expertise.
This approach has helped them land a prestigious place on the Inc. 500
list in 2019. The journey is far from over, and Zenith’s leadership has
plans for a larger West Coast expansion in 2020.

Nikhil Choudhary, CEO, founded Zenith in 2009, along with current

president and CTO, Senthil Puliyadi, after seeing a need to address
key areas they felt were missing from the engineering and construc-
tion industries—service, expertise, and responsiveness. Choudhary
graduated from Michigan State University with a master’s degree in
structural engineering, then spent several years working in general
contracting and construction management before founding Zenith.

Prior to joining Zenith, David Renard spent nearly a decade in con-

struction product manufacturing and modular construction project
management. As Zenith’s vice president of sales & partnerships, he is
in charge of partnership development and personnel growth manage-
ment. He also sits on the board for the Society of American
Military Engineers. ICF Project in Santa Rosa, CA.

the commercial division is more profitable overall, the cash flow still
C+S: Your growth over the time period measured by the Inc. 500 is comes from the residential division.
1,924 percent. That’s a pretty astounding number. Which of your four
major service lines did the heaviest lifting in terms of this growth? C+S: We know that cash flow is the lifeblood of the engineering indus-
try, and if you have that money tied up in accounts receivable you can
NC: It goes back to how we grew so fast. We call ourselves recession- go down the tube pretty quick. Now, David, as a VP of Sales, a big part
proof because we do service four different sectors. We take on the stuff of your job is business development. How are you going to use this Inc.
that other engineering companies do not want to do. To the question 500 designation?
of which division does the heaviest lifting: I would say it’s all of them
together. It’s a combined effort of how each of our divisions work DR: It’s a great accolade and it’s validation. We were founded in 2009
together for the overall gain of the company. For example, our resi- in the thick of a recession. It was a grind to build a great team of people
dential division is very low-profit. It’s really hard work because our who take ownership of their projects and want to be the best engineer
end users are homeowners, and this might be the biggest investment that they could be. Getting this validation now is kind of fun for our
of their lives. But for us it’s a very small project, so just imagine the clients, the ones that already make up our base that go: “We knew you
coordination that goes on if you’re dealing with 500-1000 homeowners guys were special, and we’re really glad you got this award.” What
every year. Although it’s not very profitable, it gives us a cash flow this hopefully does is allow us to get into different doors where clients
because these homeowners do not have a line of credit, so they have to will say: “Oh, you guys are Zenith Engineers. We’ve seen your name
pay us a major portion of the fee up front as a retainer. This balances on title blocks and other submittals. We see the quality of your work,
out the lesser profit margin from the division. On the other side, our and we see how responsive you are. We see how you take ownership
commercial division is very profitable, but our clients are contractors of a project and actually want to design what we’re used to building
who never get paid on time because they are larger projects. Although versus going in not knowing anything about either the contractor or

18 csengineermag.com march 2020

 investment on the homeowner’s part, but this is also possibly their
introduction to construction. It’s not like commercial services where
it’s one business talking to another. There are a lot of questions and
emotions along the way. This is not to knock homeowners, but to say
they’ve taught us patience. They’ve taught us that we need to bring a
level of sensitivity to our workflow because it’s not just a client. It’s
a home. When you have that experience and you’re able to transfer it
to a commercial client, it’s a completely different experience, and they
usually tell us it’s different. Then they start telling their friends, and
that’s how it spread like wildfire. We’re not a marketing company.
We’re a hardcore structural engineering firm that wants to take on proj-
ects that other engineers thought were too high risk.

NC: Coming back to the same thing, I’ve seen companies who start
with residential, servicing homeowners, and then when they grow they
stop servicing them. We don’t want to do that because those are the
customers that trusted us when we started. That’s why our residential
team is a completely separate entity, and we tell them not to worry
about profit margins. All we tell them to worry about is customer ser-
vice because we know, if there is another recession, that’s where our
money will come from. People will still be renovating homes, but,
instead of homeowners, there will be investors. They are going to be
flipping properties, and they are still going to need structural engineer-
ing and architecture. That’s exactly where we come in.

C+S: I like that you’re talking about customer service because it’s
sometimes a lost art in the engineering industry. But, let’s talk a little
bit about yourselves. Nikhil, how old were you when you founded
your firm?

NC: I was right about 30 when I founded the firm. It’s been about
10 years since we founded the firm in 2009. It’s been a long and
Metal frame construction tough journey. In this industry especially, people treat more age as
more experience and knowledge. Changing that mindset is difficult,
the client and trying to dictate design.” With this validation people are but at Zenith we see our youth as a positive. Our headquarters is in
going to take us more seriously and know we are the fastest growing Silicon Valley, so many of our customers are high-tech. They work in
firm, so we are doing something right. high-tech, and they want a firm or company that is high-tech too. We
make everything paperless and do online storage. We make use of
I always tell our team that we didn’t go into this obsessed with growth. technology so that everything is documented so when I client calls us
We went into this thinking there is an interesting void, and there’s an for missing project papers two years down the line, we can send them
element of this being a service industry and people forgetting about a link. If a client complains, “I signed this contract a month ago and I
the customer service aspect of it. So, this growth is essentially a by- haven’t received my drawings,” we have a robust CRM process. We
product of all these measures we put into place to ensure these clients track every communication, even a text from a project engineer to a
are going to get the best experience working with a structural engineer. client. All our admin has to do is search the project number and the
whole history is right there.
I used to run West Coast operations for building manufacturers, and the
biggest crux in all these projects was being held up in engineering. Not C+S: Let’s go back to how you founded Zenith. There are plenty of
that the engineer was doing a bad job. It was just being held up, or we people out there who want to hear your story. How did it begin?
weren’t getting what we wanted. And so, I went on a journey to find a
new type of engineer that is going to be responsive and flexible to what NC: I used to work at a startup in New York. At that point, I was
we need to achieve in the field. And then I met Nikhil and Zenith, and ready to start my own company, but I still wanted more experience,
I realized there is something here that nobody else has tried to really so I worked in the Midwest and New York for quite a bit of time. I
form a solid base on—putting the client first. came back to California for a high ranking position at Siemens, but
coming from a startup, I hated my life. I was very comfortable, but it
We talked about residential in the beginning, and that’s what really did not serve my life’s purpose because I was tied up in a bureaucratic
gave us perspective. Nikhil was talking about this being a very big machine. Every little thing I had to get approval for, and I was not used

march 2020 csengineermag.com 19

to that side of things. I would want to service a client and had the tools, C+S: How does all this fit into your company culture?
but I needed approval that would take 15 or 20 days.
NC: We are very ownership driven. It’s not the owners who drive
At that point, I said I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, and I them to work though. Each of our employees, whether it be admin or
spoke with my business partner who is now our CTO, Senthil Puliyadi. accounting or engineering or sales, takes ownership of their tasks or
He’s an engineer’s engineer. I have a Master’s in Structural Engineer- projects. We make sure our hiring process is so robust that we make
ing, but I chose my career path more into operations and construc- sure a person coming in shares our ambition and has the same passion.
tion management. That means I come from more of a management
background and I understand how to scale up small businesses. That’s Also, we take care of our team members or employees. Like you men-
something that a lot of people lack these days. This is where we jive tioned, we are a small business, so we are also like a small family. We
together because he can take care of all the technical aspects and I can have just about 30 employees. Our employees stick around with us,
focus on the business side. This makes us a good team. and they are making the best salaries the industry has to offer. Also,
like you mentioned, we have youth on our side. Our company has the
C+S: You are still a small company. You still have a long way to go. youngest engineering managers because we rate performance by talent.
You’re out on the West Coast with a lot of big firms. Looking at your
business development and marketing looking forward, what’s the plan We are not aiming for the next family-owned company. We are aiming
to continue the growth trajectory you’re on right now with a predicted for the next public company. We don’t want to create just a family
bear market coming up? business. That’s when I decided that every employee of Zenith an
equal opportunity if they perform well and if they are talented. Last
DR: In a sea of sharks, we’re a school of dolphins. We have agility year was the first year where an employee who started as a junior proj-
and adaptability in the team we’ve built so far. It goes back to the four ect engineer got inducted as a partner. These kinds of opportunities
divisions we serve. Residential taught us patience. A regular engineer are very unheard of, and are very unconventional in a conventional in-
will design the building, but they don’t actually design the construction dustry. That’s where we want to take Zenith. It’s an employee owned
methods to go it up. We do that, and it taught us construction phasing company, not a family-owned one, and we respect talent and we want
as well as the overall lifecycle of a project—how multiple designers to retain the most talented individuals.
and engineers could impact each other negatively to affect the builder’s
deadlines. This taught us to look at things not from scratch and how we C+S: In the future, do you want to stay in California, or do you want
can deal with something that is already existing. to grow geographically?

We are now positioned to have the experience that no other engineer DR: We’re based in California now, but we still have the ability to
has, and the patience to deal with owners and changes. We aren’t work in every state across the country as well as Canada and other
thrown for a loop. We can deal with that. Then we have the construc- places internationally. We carry all those licenses in-house. But we
tion phasing knowledge to understand how this building is going to go want that physical presence. We have a strategy now for next year to
up quickly with the most economical materials and labor. And then, grow into Seattle, Las Vegas, and San Diego. That will let us cover a
of course on the seismic stuff we are creative, so we can come up with little more of Southern California, Nevada, and Washington. We have
solutions on the fly. It’s an incredible future we’re positioned for. one, two, and five-year plans for the future, and we have the personnel
to help manage it and the leadership to execute.

20 csengineermag.com march 2020

A Look Back: Catching Up
with Paul Greenhagen,
2019 Jerry Allen Courage in
Leadership Award Winner Paul Greenhagen accepting his award at The 2019 Elevate AEC conference.
By Luke Carothers
Civil + Structural Engineer: The 2019 Jerry Allen Courage in Leader-
ship Award was presented live at the Elevate AEC conference. What
Each year, Zweig Group, based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, presents were you feeling in the initial moments after hearing your name called,
the Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership award, which is given to an and what did it mean to be recognized with such an accomplishment in
individual working in an architecture, engineering, planning, or envi- a room full of your peers?
ronmental firm who has made a tremendous impact on the company
through courageous leadership. It is the highest individual award given PG: It was completely unexpected and a great feeling to be recognized
by Zweig Group. by my team. I was very surprised, humbled, and very honored to be
chosen for this award from all of the worthy candidates in the room.
This award is named in honor of Jerry Allen, a leader in the industry
who inspired loyalty and innovation. Jerry Allen grew the Fort Worth C+S: Your colleagues noted your incredible ability to confidently lead
based firm Carter & Burgess (now Jacobs) from 200 employees and your employees and empower them to take calculated risks. Has win-
$17 million in revenue in 1988 to 2,300 employees and $381 million ning this award caused any change in your leadership style, or has it
in revenue by 2002. After Jerry Allen passed away from colon cancer more reinforced the way you were doing things previously?
at the age of 62, the award was developed in his honor.
PG: Winning the award has reinforced the way I do things and gives me
Zweig Group Founder and Chairman, Mark Zweig believes the special confidence as we continue to make bold moves and take calculated risks.
nature of this award lies in the man it was named after, saying, “[the
award] honors a tremendous individual. Jerry was a very, very strate- C+S: They also mentioned your ability to cultivate a “one-team”
gic thinker. He was truly great at getting people behind his program spirit within the company, which is evident considering your firm also
and make it happen. We are looking for other Jerry Allen’s out there. took home awards in Best Firms to Work for, Hot Firms, Marketing
People who have that spirit to overcome obstacles. Individuals who Excellence, and Trifecta. How do you weigh those awards against
can achieve their long-term vision through other people. Individuals something like the Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award?
who know how to treat other people.”
We work very hard at Westwood to cultivate a One Team culture across
Zweig Group’s 2019 Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership award winner all of our markets, service groups, and offices. We never stop challeng-
is certainly cut from the same cloth. ing ourselves to improve as a Best Place to Work, Hot Firm, and in
Marketing Excellence. I think the Jerry Allen award is recognition of
Paul Greenhagen, PS, was appointed CEO of Westwood in 2010. Un- that constant effort to improve and build a strong cohesive team.
der his direction, the firm has expanded from one office in Minnesota
to a dozen offices throughout the U.S. The first step of this expansion C+S: This award encompasses quite a bit of growth undertaken by
took place shortly after Greenhagen took over as CEO and President in Westwood, and with such strides you are certainly deserving. With that
the depths of a recession. At a time when other companies were down- said, what’s next for you and Westwood?
sizing, Greenhagen had the foresight to bolster Westwood’s chances of
growing despite the economic climate. PG: I truly believe that with growth comes success, both professionally
and personally. I will keep growing with the company.
According to Bryan P. Powell, PE, this is an example of starting with
a single crazy idea and working from there. Powell, who is the Senior We will raise the bar. We will continue to challenge ourselves as a
Vice President of Westwood’s Land Division, started working at the company and as individuals, which means we intentionally strive to
company shortly after Greenhagen became president in 2010. He be- improve. Our strategic plan calls for strong growth and continued
lieves Greenhagen has the, “ability and willingness to take risk, dream diversification in our markets, locations, and services. We are always
big, and create a vision for what Westwood can become.” Powell also looking for great people and teams to help us achieve our goals.
adds that Greenhagen has, “humility as a leader” and that he “acknowl-
edges he doesn’t have the answer to every question.”
LUKE CAROTHERS is the editor for Civil + Structural Engineer. If you want to contrib-
We sat down with Paul to see if he had the answers to our questions: ute an article or talk about a project, contact him at [email protected].

march 2020 csengineermag.com 21

Protecting Infrastructure
Through Stream
Restorations
By Emily Poynter Jenkins

A 33” sanitary interceptor pipe lay exposed in the middle of the Un-
named tributary to the Saline Branch (Photo 1). Rising water from a
storm carries a large log towards the exposed pipe. The log rams into
A 33-inch sanitary interceptor pipe exposed in the middle of the Unnamed Tributary
the pipe; the pipe bends but does not break—yet. to the Saline Branch. Photo: Jenkins / Farnsworth Group

Had the pipe broken, thousands of gallons per minute of raw sewage banks to prevent scouring of pipes and improve the basic functions and
would have spilled into the Tributary; thousands of gallons per minute ecology of stream systems.
of stream and storm water would have entered the pipe, flooding the
wastewater treatment plant and causing immediate sewage back-ups at In addition, people are drawn to natural spaces, particularly when they
the homes connected to the pipe. are easily accessible in urban areas. Restoring sections of stream in
urban settings can provide personal wellness opportunities to the com-
This scenario is occurring all over the United States as aging pipe in- munity. What once was a liability can become an asset for the com-
frastructure crosses streams that were once small ditches, but are now munity and the environment.
large, flashy, urban streams. The pipe infrastructure is deteriorating due
to having been installed 50 to 100 years ago, while the streams they Protect Infrastructure
cross have increased in size and strength. The combination of these Water is powerful. Water can cut into banks, undercut pipes, and erode
two factors can be a hazard to public health and to the environment. pipe and bridge footings. I have seen a 33” sanitary interceptor that
was once buried under a stream, completely exposed with the stream
In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave a re- flowing under it. Another stream cut into its bank until a large exposed
port card on the United States infrastructure. We, as a country, received vertical streambank was 20 feet away from a home.
a D for Drinking Water Infrastructure and a D+ for Wastewater Infra-
structure, which means the infrastructure is in poor to fair condition A stream restoration not only redirects the flow of water away from
and approaching the end of its service life. Condition and capacity are the bank but also from infrastructure. We can direct the flow of water
of serious concern with strong risk of failure. into the center of the stream using large boulders, logs, or tree root
wads placed in the streambed. The boulders or logs are placed to create
So, the pipes carrying our drinking water and wastewater have a strong structures that force water to slow down near the bank, then speed up
risk of failing and many of those pipes cross streams. Years ago, when as it cascades over the boulder into a center pool in the middle of
most of the drinking water and wastewater pipes were installed, pipes the stream.
crossed small ditches. However, as more areas were developed and
more rainfall ran off into the ditches, they grew into large streams with We can also spread the water out onto the floodplain to slow down the
serious erosive capabilities. water and decrease the force it has on the streambanks. When stream-
flow is confined to a narrow, deep channel, the flow increases and the
Broken pipes often cause adverse environmental impacts, in addition water can erode banks and infrastructure easily. When the streamflow
to harming and inconveniencing the community. Boil orders and sew- can spread out over a floodplain, the flow is slower and banks are
age backups into basements can cause damage and frustrate homeown- more protected.
ers. Emergency fixes to the pipe, the stream, and the water/wastewater
plant can be expensive while also leaving the public with a In Champaign, Illinois, an electrical box was located on the outside
negative impression. bend of the Copper Slough. The stream had eroded the bank away,
leaving the electrical box only a few feet away from a vertical, unstable
Performing stream restorations at pipe crossings protects aging infra- streambank. Farnsworth Group, a full-service architectural and engi-
structure and also provides communities with urban green space and neering firm, protected the electrical box by restoring the stream. Boul-
has numerous ecological benefits. A stream restoration is the manipula- der structures were used to direct water into the center of the stream,
tion of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of a site away from the bank with the electrical box. A small ledge, or bench,
with the goal of returning natural/historic functions to a former or de- was graded into the bank to allow water to spread out and slow down
graded aquatic resource. Stream restorations stabilize streambeds and during rain events. The bend in the stream channel was adjusted to be

22 csengineermag.com march 2020

 lowering cortisol (stress hormone) and raising serotonin (the “happy
chemical” our nerve cells produce). Areas of water in or near nature
are particularly beneficial to human health and we tend to seek them
out when we can (think beach and lake vacations).

People enjoy being near nature – it improves their mood and wellbeing.
Stream restorations at pipe crossings locations create an opportunity
for Blue Space and nature accessibility for the community. If a stream
corridor is owned by the City or Park District, a pipe crossing a stream
can become a park amenity by adding a pedestrian bridge over the
stream, creating a walking path near the stream, incorporating wa-
terfalls or other water features, or building a playground or pavilion
adjacent to the stream.

The City of Champaign, Illinois took advantage of the Boneyard Creek

restoration project in a similar fashion (Photo 3). Though the main
Copper Slough post-restoration. Photo: Jenkins / Farnsworth Group objective of the project is to provide flood storage, the restoration
provides a multi-use trail along-side the channel and flood storage ba-
a longer, more gradual curve, adding stability in the stream. Native sin, called Second Street Basin. On any given day, you can walk past
vegetation was planted on the banks to protect against bank erosion the Second Street Basin and see kids playing in the waterfall feature,
and to provide an ecological habitat for pollinators and small wildlife runners jogging on the trails crisscrossing the Basin, and people bird-
(Photo 2). watching, picnicking or just napping on the benches along the creek.

Because of this stream restoration, the electrical box is protected, the Provide Ecological Benefits
stream is stable, ecology in the area is flourishing, and the homeowners Stream restorations are an ecologically friendly way of approaching
can reap the benefits associated with being near nature. stream instabilities to protect infrastructure. Many of the features that
help create a stable stream and protect infrastructure, like access to
Increase personal wellness a floodplain and boulder structures, also provide benefits to ecology.
While at graduate school in Maryland, I lived in a suburb of Washing- When streams flood onto their floodplains, food sources found on
ton D.C. My research afforded me an opportunity to get outside, but floodplains are washed into the channel. Organic matter like leaves,
my day-to-day routine kept me in very urban environments. I found woody debris, and vegetation are introduced into the stream ecosys-
myself making time to hike and camp, referring to it as my “woods tem. Aquatic invertebrates, like insect larvae, snails, and crawdads,
fix.” After my “woods fix,” I felt centered, calm, and rejuvenated. consume the organic matter; fish consume invertebrates. To create and
preserve a healthy circle of life in the stream, you need a constant sup-
Several years later I realized that it’s not just me who needs a “woods ply of organic material, which is readily available on the floodplain.
fix.” Researchers have found that being in nature or even viewing
scenes of nature reduces anger, fear, and stress. Forest bathing, a com- Stream structures designed to protect the bed and banks of streams, as
mon practice in Japan, consists of simply being in the forest and has be- well as the infrastructure on the bed and banks, also provide ecological
come a healing and preventive healthcare practice in Japanese medicine. benefits to the stream system. Structures create diversity in channel
flow. Slower water upstream of the structure and immediately behind
Blue Space, a specific subset of “woods fix,” is the term given to the (downstream) of a boulder are refuges for smaller fish. The fast-
impact of water (sea, river, lakes, and even urban water features) on moving riffles over a structure provide dissolved oxygen to the water.
health and wellbeing. The sight and sound of water can relax us by Fast-moving water also washes away fine sediment particles from the

The Second Street Basin of the Boneyard Creek in Champaign, Illinois. Photo: Jenkins / Farnsworth Group

march 2020 csengineermag.com 23

 future because the flow is manipulated away from sensitive areas.
Conversely, riprap and concrete in the stream simply armor the sensi-
tive areas. When water hits riprap or concrete, it is moving fast and
creates turbulence near the bank. That turbulence can erode adjacent
unprotected areas of the bank, causing increased erosion around and
downstream of the hard-armored materials.

Additionally, research shows that property values increase near water

features. Home lots adjacent to wet ponds in Champaign and Urbana,
Illinois are worth an average of 21.9 percent more than non-adjacent
lots in the same subdivision. A study by Nicholls and Crompton (2017)
shows that “significant positive property price effects are associated
with river, stream, and canal view and proximity.” Once a stream has
been restored to protect infrastructure, adjacent property values
will increase.

The most sustainable and multi-functional method to protect infra-

structure at stream crossings is a restoration. Stream restorations create
a stable stream that will provide long-lasting protection of the infra-
structure. Restorations have the additional benefits of reestablishing
the ecological function of a stream system and reconnecting people to
Unnamed Tributary to the Saline Branch post-restoration to protect the 33” sanitary nature, thereby improving their personal wellness. By changing our
sewer. Photo: Jenkins / Farnsworth Group
perspective, we can turn failing infrastructure into an opportunity to
gravel bottom of the channel, which is necessary for ideal fish create an asset to the community and the environment while protecting
spawning locations. the well-being of both.

Vegetation along the banks of the stream provides shade to the stream, And what about the 33” exposed sanitary interceptor pipe in the Un-
which regulates the temperature of the water. Vegetation also provides named Tributary to the Saline Branch? Farnsworth Group compared
habitat to pollinators like bees, butterflies, and dragonflies. Dragonflies several options to protect the pipe and determined the most cost-effec-
carry the additional benefit of eating 30-100 mosquitoes a day. Small tive solution was to restore the stream.
mammals and birds live and eat in streamside vegetation. A restored
stream system can host a diverse bevy of species. We adjusted the channel alignment to gently curve the stream away
from the threatened manhole, constructed a small bench, or shelf, on
For example, one week after the Copper Slough bank restoration the bank to give the stream space to flood, and constructed a series of
project in Champaign was complete, a blue heron was fishing off of structures with boulders to direct the flow of water into the center of
the boulder structure in the stream. Fish were enjoying the depth of the channel and away from the bank. We also slowed the water directly
the scour pool beneath the structure, and dragonflies, songbirds, and upstream of the pipe by creating a slow-moving pool, followed by a
butterflies were bountiful in the native vegetation lining both sides of long, steep streambed where water cascades and tumbles over large
the stream. rocks. The banks and floodplain are now planted with native vegetation
(Photo 4).
Birders regularly come to the Boneyard Creek Second Street Basin to
watch the migratory birds take refuge in the restored in-stream basin. The interceptor pipe is now carefully protected underneath the boul-
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) found a fish ders of a stream structure. Deer, heron, turtles, and a plethora of fish
species called the Largescale Stoneroller in the Kickapoo Creek one have been spotted in the park setting, and raccoon tracks can be seen
year after the first phase of a stream restoration project was completed. on the stream bank. The sound of running water muffles traffic noises
The Largescale Stoneroller is classified as a species in greatest need of nearby. I watch a dragonfly dart across the water and listen to the bees
conservation by IDNR. droning on the bank. The serenity of the stream relaxes and rejuvenates
me as I head back to the office to start the next project.
Increase Property Values
Not surprisingly, the biggest argument against stream restorations is
the cost in comparison to a less-natural approach, like using riprap or
concrete to stabilize infrastructure. Certainly, stream restorations are EMILY POYNTER JENKINS, PHD, PE, CFM, is a project engineer for Farnsworth
expensive, but they are also sustainable. Group (www.f-w.com) who has been designing stable and sustainable stream
restorations and bank stabilizations for more than 10 years. Examples shown
in this article are designs of hers and the Farnsworth Group team. Her clients
Stream restorations have long-lasting, positive effects. With a one- have included municipalities, utility companies, local developers/builders, and
time restoration project, infrastructure is protected for the foreseeable private property owners.

24 csengineermag.com march 2020

A new connection: In addition to the utilities, understanding the existing SEPTA infra-
structure related to the underground rail system was equally important.
Comcast pedestrian tunnel For a portion of its 100-ft length, the pedestrian tunnel is resting on top
of the 80-year-old train tunnel structures. Our extensive site investiga-
By Thomas J. Friese
tions for the tunnel construction included archive records research, test
pit excavations, ground penetrating radar, 3D survey scans from the
surface and in the SEPTA tunnels, and coordination with numerous
In the heart of Philadelphia sits the new Comcast Technology Center. agencies. Installation of the tunnel across 18th Street required raising
The 60-floor, 1,121-foot skyscraper is the tallest building in Philadel- the grade of the street almost 3-ft, necessitating a redesign of the
phia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the tenth-tallest building entire block.
in the United States, and the tallest outside Manhattan and Chicago.
“Finding a path to join those two buildings was one of the most chal-
The building is adjacent to Comcast’s corporate headquarters and the lenging parts of the entire project,” recalls John Gattuso, President and
roughly 1.9 million square feet of building supports a large employee CEO of Gattuso Development Partners. “We had to go across 18th
base, with many depending on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Trans- Street, over the top of the rail tunnel, adjacent to and through all the
portation Authority (SEPTA) commuter rail system for their daily com- utilities, and underneath the ramp in the parking garage. We literally
mute. The SEPTA concourse system, specifically Suburban Station, is had to raise the entire height of the street by two feet, relocate vast
a gateway for commuters to enter Center City and provides access to amounts of massive utilities and find a way to squeeze the concourse
approximately 25,000 passengers daily. To help alleviate pedestrian through any number of foundations, including the foundation of
congestion on 18th Street, which separates the new tower from the the church.”
original Headquarters Tower building, and extend the station concourse
through the new building to 19th Street, the developers constructed Pennoni had primary responsibility for preparing conceptual options
a pedestrian tunnel crossing under 18th Street to a public concourse and preliminary designs, and coordination with all affected utility own-
under the new building. This addition to the station complex extends ers and City agencies. Once the tunnel corridor was confirmed and
the concourse to 19th Street. utility owners had signed-off on the proposed tunnel routing/utilities
rerouting, a preliminary design was coordinated with the tunnel design
The installation of the pedestrian tunnel was no easy feat, and almost team including Kelly/Maiello Architects and Thornton Tomasetti struc-
seemed impossible to achieve. In order to clear the way for the new tural engineers. Pennoni continued to provide design review and coor-
tunnel, significant public utilities had to be rerouted including major dination between various utilities owners, particularly the Philadelphia
electrical, teledata, steam, water, gas, and sewer infrastructure of which Water Department and the tunnel design team and constructors as they
the sewer and water were designed by Pennoni. finalized their utility relocation design and carried out construction.

The entire Comcast Technology Center

took four years to complete. In addition
to the pedestrian tunnel, Pennoni pro-
vided multiple services for this iconic
project including land and title surveys,
geotechnical, environmental, civil/site,
and transportation engineering. The
project required zoning approval and
City Council ordinances for which
Pennoni played an instrumental role
providing the necessary
technical support.

THOMAS J. FRIESE, PE serves as Associate

Vice President and Division Manager
in our Site/Civil Design and Landscape
Architecture Division with more than 36
years of site design experience. For more
information on this project, contact Tom at
[email protected].

Photo: Foster + Partners

march 2020 csengineermag.com 25

Intelligent Compaction Here is a simple dictionary type definition: IC refers to the compaction
of road materials, such as soils, aggregate bases, or asphalt pavement
materials, using modern vibratory rollers equipped with an integrated
is the Key measurement system, an onboard computer reporting system, Global
Positioning System (GPS) based mapping, and optional feedback con-
Long-lasting, durable surfaces result from quality compaction trol. IC rollers facilitate real-time compaction monitoring and timely
By Jeff Winke adjustments to the compaction process by integrating measurement,
documentation, and control systems. IC rollers also maintain a con-
tinuous record of color-coded plots, allowing the user to view plots
of the precise location of the roller, the number of roller passes, and
The most elemental meaning of the word "compaction," is the exertion material stiffness measurements.
of force on something so that it becomes more dense.
"Operators have told me that intelligent compaction takes the guessing
In the realm of road construction, compaction is considered one of the game out of their rolling pattern," said Daniel F. Brown, president of
most important processes in pavement and roadway surface construc- Phend & Brown, Inc., Milford, Ind. "They no longer need to remember
tion. It is necessary in order to attain high quality and uniformity of which utility power pole or mailbox they started or stopped at with
pavement materials, which in turn better ensures the long-lasting their rolling pattern. Additionally, uniform pass coverage is assured
performance of the road. because pass coverage is being measured and documented."

It has been more than a few years since the term and method of "intel- Back in 2011 the FHA reported on a major three-year research project
ligent compaction" (IC) has become a given in discussions of paving. which was designed to verify that IC, which at the time had been con-
Today, it has become the norm – compaction is pretty much considered sidered "emerging technology," was mature enough to be implemented
intelligent compaction. in the real world. The intent of the project was to create the blueprint in
the FHWA IC strategic plan. This study was under the Transportation

26 csengineermag.com march 2020

Pooled Fund project, which included 12 participating state department
of transportation: Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota,
Mississippi, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia,
and Wisconsin.

The report's Executive Summary states that the project "demonstrated

tried-and-true Intelligent Compaction (IC) technologies through six-
teen (16) field projects and open house activities, numerous meetings
and training for State personnel and local earthwork/paving contrac-
tors, and assistance on the development of State IC specifications."

The IC project's key conclusions:

• IC mapping of existing support layers is effective in identifying weak sup-
port areas for corrective actions prior to the compaction of the upper layers.

• With hot-mix asphalt (HMA) paving, IC tracking compaction roller passes

and HMA surface temperatures can provide the necessary means to maintain
a consistent rolling pattern within optimal ranges of temperatures for cover-
age of 100 percent of the construction area. • Ensure that regulatory IC standards are being met by documenting surface
stiffness values through its accelerometer.
• IC technologies can be especially beneficial to maintain consistent rolling
patterns under lower visibility conditions, such as night paving operations. • Connect to the Sitelink3D Enterprise service which provides 24/7 access
to project data, team collaboration, custom reporting, as well as standard
IC technology, the report stated, will have profound influence on the export to Veta management and analysis software, which can provide ad-
responsibilities of various stages of pavement constructions and will ditional customized information.
eventually help produce better and more consistent pavement products.
• Provide data to demonstrate specification compliance and confirm proper
"We are currently running Topcon C-53 IC Systems on two Caterpillar density claims.
CB-534 D XW rollers, and two systems on Bomag BW190 AD roll-
ers," stated Brown. "At the time of purchase, the C-53, which offers the "We're using the Topcon C-53 IC System with a GX-75 control box
GX-55 control box, was the newest technology available. on our 850 Series Sakai oscillation/vibration paving roller, which al-
lows the machine operator to monitor the compaction pattern and the
"We like that the technology provides for remote mobile access via temperature as they're working," stated Sergio Muniz, paving superin-
Sitelink to allow process balance decisions to be based on real-time tendent with Payne & Dolan, Inc., Waukesha, Wis., who acquired the
data for the entire paver/roller operation, which in turn ensures that system working through his local Topcon Solutions Store. "I like that I
optimal production rates and density values are consistently achieved." can jump onto my laptop and see the work being completed in real time
and make certain we're complying with the tough DOT
Topcon Positioning Systems offers an intelligent compaction system state specifications."
that is designed to track pass counts of multiple rollers or IC machines
working on the same project. Through secure connectivity to Topcon's Muniz added: "We're finding the Topcon system to be essential for
global Sitelink3D service, each compactor not only performs its tasks, our high-profile big jobs to ensure we remain on task and is instru-
but also becomes part of the overall monitored project. mental for when we work at night. It also is proving handy for smaller
parking-lot-type jobs as well."
"Each operator is not only able to see their own passes, but those made
by other machines on-screen in real time," Brown said. "And in real The key benefit of IC is greater control over the compaction results,
time, the paving superintendant, foreman, and general contractor per- which in turn provides better finished paved results. Compaction at its
sonnel can also see what exactly is going on via the Sitelink platform. most elemental is the exertion of force on something so that it becomes
This ensures proper compaction from each machine and more dense, while Intelligent Compaction provides the technological
eliminates redundancy." means to ensure that compaction is performed consistently, thoroughly,
and accurately. The goal is to achieve optimum densities that ensure
The IC system is designed to: adequate support, stability, and strength. Achieving these densities
• Leverage multiple integrated temperature sensors, so each compactor can uniformly is key, and clearly IC aids this process.
achieve consistent results through constant feedback into the system.

• Provide accurate pass counts, geographic locations of each run, as well as JEFF WINKE is a business and construction writer based in Milwaukee, Wiscon-
georeferenced task assignments and their completion via its GNSS technology. sin. He can be reached through [email protected].

march 2020 csengineermag.com 27

MACHINE LEARNING
IN MINERAL WELLS
City Uses Novel Techniques to Determine
Stormwater Utility Rates
By Tak Makino

West of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a small city of approxi-

mately 15,000 people called Mineral Wells. Over the last decade, the
city has been battered by repetitive flooding events that have strained In addition to the red, green, and blue bands of color imagery, the four-band aerial
its existing stormwater infrastructure. Facing a budget shortfall and an imagery used in this study includes a fourth infrared band. Photo: LAN
urgent need to upgrade its stormwater infrastructure, the City contract-
ed Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN), a national planning,
engineering, and program management firm, and NewGen Solutions, a
management consulting firm, to perform a stormwater utility fee study.
Based on the study, the city wanted to set new storm water utility rates
that would subsequently be used to expand its stormwater infrastructure.

Stormwater Utility Fee Components

Three major components go into a stormwater utility fee study: Comparison between full color imagery (left) and color infrared (right). Infrared data
provides a fourth variable for analysis. Photo: LAN
1. Utility billing
2. Parcel data blue wavelengths produce a true-color, composite image, much like
3. Impervious surface coverage how the eye sees. The near infrared band provides a fourth dimension
that allows for the discrimination of otherwise spectrally similar land
Utility billing data provides a convenient existing framework upon cover classes. For example, aerial imagery of trees and grass – both
which to build the stormwater utility fee. The stormwater fee can be green – can appear similar when examining a red, green, blue compos-
added as an additional charge item to existing utility customers. This ite image. Using a statistical, value-based method of analysis (rather
avoids the creation of a new billing system for the stormwater utility than by visual observation), it would be difficult, if not impossible, to
fee and allows both customers and the city to use a billing system with discriminate between trees and grass from three-band aerial imagery
which they are familiar. alone. However, trees and grass reflect the infrared wavelengths differ-
ently, allowing for a statistically meaningful, value-based separation
The second essential component is the parcel data. For the Mineral of trees and grass.
Wells study, LAN obtained the parcel data from the Palo Pinto and
Parker County Appraisal Districts. The parcel GIS files define the These three components – the utility billing, land parcels, and aerial
geographic zone of responsibility for each utility billing customer. imagery – need to be combined into a single database, one that reports
Utility billing customers are responsible for paying for the runoff their the amount of impervious surface for which each utility billing cus-
property contributes to the stormwater utility system. In the case of tomer is responsible. A combination of methods was used to achieve
multiple utility billing customers on a single parcel (e.g. apartments or this goal. The first step taken was to identify areas of impervious sur-
duplexes), the total parcel impervious surface is divided by the number face coverage using machine learning algorithms.
of utility billing customers such that each billing customer pays for an
equitable share of the runoff that enters the stormwater system. Machine Learning
Supervised machine learning is a technique in which an operator pro-
The last, and perhaps the most critical piece, is the impervious sur- vides a training dataset to the computer, in this case user-defined areas
face coverage. Aerial imagery from the National Agricultural Imagery of different types of land cover, and the algorithms then learn what
Program (NAIP) formed the basis of the impervious surface analysis. characteristics define the classes in the training dataset. For example,
NAIP imagery provides four-band (red, green, blue, and near-infrared) numerous examples of paved surfaces are provided, along with the
aerial imagery at 0.5m resolution, meaning that each pixel in the aerial declaration that the provided examples are pavement, to the extent that
imagery represents a 0.5m x 0.5m area on the ground. Within each the computer is then able to correctly identify a never-before-seen area
pixel, four values are stored – a value each for red, green, blue, and near of pavement as pavement. In other words, given enough examples, the
infrared wavelengths (see figure 1). Luminosity on the red, green, and computer learns what characteristics define pavement.

28 csengineermag.com march 2020

For the Mineral Wells study, a supervised machine learning algorithm
was used to create an initial, first-pass impervious surface dataset. Ar-
eas representative of land cover classes were manually defined from
aerial imagery. Seven different land cover classes were used in this first
pass. All seven land cover classes were eventually reclassified as either
pervious or impervious surface coverage.

The three additional machine learning datasets used to improve classification

quality. Photo: LAN
The resultant image exhibited unresolved areas where the algorithm
was unable to definitively discriminate between land cover classes. Compared to the initial, first-pass classification dataset, the composite
The classified dataset also exhibited notable areas of false positives on classification reduces the number of false positives on impervious sur-
impervious surface coverage. This initial, first-pass impervious surface face at the expense of additional areas of uncertainty.
dataset provided a near-adequate level of resolution and was temporar-
ily set aside while an improved dataset was developed. The composite classification, which reflected ground conditions more
accurately, formed the basis of the ultimate impervious surface dataset.
To address both unresolved areas and areas of false positives, three Values from the initial, first-pass dataset were used to fill gaps in areas
additional machine learning training datasets were made to better dis- of uncertainty, producing a product that capitalized on the best parts
criminate between spectrally similar land cover classes. Each training of both products. Smoothing algorithms and building footprints were
set consisted of two of the initial seven land cover classes and a third applied to the impervious dataset to further refine the product.
class comprised of all remaining land cover classes to provide a con-
trasting backdrop against the classes of interest. Data Integration
Access to County Appraisal District parcel data allowed the tabulation
By limiting the number of classes of interest in each training dataset of impervious surface data at the parcel level. This data helped deter-
(two rather than seven) the algorithms that create the statistical de- mine how much impervious surface each parcel contained.
scriptions of land cover classes are able to do so in relative isolation,
without the interfering influence of other land cover classes. For ex- Integrating parcel-level impervious surface dataset into the existing
ample, it can be difficult to discriminate between dirt and pavement. utility billing scheme required careful execution of automated process-
Both land cover classes can appear grey or brownish to the eye and es. The two datasets were large enough that manual integration was
have relatively high infrared reflectivity. In the full, seven-class train- unpractical. Consequently, automated integration methods were developed.
ing set, the machine learning algorithm must successfully discriminate
between dirt and pavement while simultaneously discriminating be- The addresses were the only common identifier between the two data
tween five other land cover classes. By reducing the number of classes, sets. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a perfect match between utility billing
the algorithm is better able to discriminate dirt from pavement because addresses and parcel addresses. For example, 123 N Example Street
there is no need to separately identify other land cover classes. and 123 N Example St are not perfect matches. While most human
operators would probably recognize that these two addresses refer to
the same property, a computer looking for a perfect, one-for-one match
would reject the pairing.

An address similarity tool was created to address and resolve this con-
flict. In both the billing and parcel datasets, addresses were separated
into their constituent components. An address standardizing tool was
used to ensure that any direction or street suffix conflicts were resolved.

The resultant classifications from these three training datasets were

combined into a single composite dataset. The composite dataset was
reclassified to reflect either pervious or impervious surface coverage.

march 2020 csengineermag.com 29

 manually through a variety of methods including examining com-
mercial Facebook and Yelp accounts, driving Google Street View, and
other online records.

The address similarity tool was validated with the use of a third-party
geospatial analysis tool. The results of the validation indicated an er-
ror rate of approximately 0.06 percent. In total, three address matches
above the 0.75 threshold were made in error and were corrected manually.

Fee Calculation
The Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) is a value that represents the
amount of impervious surface found on the hypothetical typical single-
family residential home in a community. The U.S. EPA estimates that
80 percent of stormwater utility fees are based on the ERU concept.
Zoning information allowed for the identification of single-family
residential parcels at Mineral Wells. When examined, the average
The composite dataset created by combining the three machine learning datasets.
Each color represents a unique combination of results from the three input datasets.
typical single-family parcel (excluding undeveloped areas zoned as
Photo: LAN single-family residential) exhibited approximately 2,600 square feet of
impervious surface. Thus, the ERU for the City of Mineral Wells was
determined to be 2,600 square feet of impervious surface.

NewGen Solutions took the impervious surface data developed by

LAN and financial data from the city and determined that a per-ERU
fee of $3.89 would fully fund the stormwater utility over the next five
years. If every utility billing customer pays $3.89 per ERU on their
property, the city will be able to recover the necessary funds to repair,
maintain, expand, and ensure that high-quality stormwater services are
The composite dataset created by combining the three machine learning datasets.
Each color represents a unique combination of results from the three input datasets. provided to the residents. A $3.89 per ERU fee is within the range of
Photo: LAN $2.50 - $6.50 fees seen in similar communities in Texas. Under this
proposed billing scheme, all single-family residential utility billing
By standardizing addresses and breaking them out into their com- customers would pay $3.89 to the stormwater utility, regardless of
ponents, a constituent level comparison could be made. In this com- actual impervious surface coverage. This simplification reduces ad-
parison, every utility billing account address was compared to every ministrative burdens on the City and is common practice in stormwater
parcel address and returned a similarity score from 0 (no similarity) utilities. All non-single-family utility billing customers would pay on a
to 1 (perfect match). In this comparison, no tolerance for deviation true ERU-based schedule at a rate of $3.89 per ERU.
was allowed in the street number or street direction. While similar to
123 N Example St, 125 N Example St is a different address and does The City currently bills a $2.50 flat rate stormwater fee for all utility
not represent a matching error. Similarly, 123 N Example St and 123 billing customers, regardless of impervious surface or property type.
S Example St also do not represent a matching error and may be quite A jump from a flat rate of $2.50 to an ERU-based billing schedule at
geographically distant from each other. Tolerance for errors on street $3.89 per ERU will increase the amount that most utility customers
name and street suffix was allowed. For example, the pair of 123 N would pay. A few commercial properties with relatively little impervi-
Example St and 123 N Example would return high similarity scores. ous surface would see a reduction below the $2.50 per month rate. To
123 N Example St and 123 N Exmple St would also return high ease the transition to an ERU-based system, it is possible that the City
similarity scores. may begin with a $2.50 per ERU rate. As all single-family residential
customers are billed at 1 ERU, single family residential customers
The address similarity tool ran comparisons between every utility bill- would see no change to their billing rates. This introductory rate may
ing account address and every parcel address. This raw comparison eventually increase over time to the $3.89 per ERU rate. By using a
produced roughly 70 million address match combinations. It was as- publicly announced rate schedule that slowly trends towards the fully
sumed that the highest scoring match for each utility billing address funded $3.89 per ERU rate, the City of Mineral Wells can allow utility
represented the correct parcel match. An arbitrary similarity score billing customers to plan and budget in advance of any rate changes.
threshold of 0.75 was set to separate correctly matched (≥0.75) and Ultimately, the decisions of City Council will determine the rate set-
incorrectly matched (<0.75) pairs. The 0.75 threshold represents a ting method.
conservative cutoff point for matching acceptance. A match of 123 N
Example St and 123 N Exmple St would return a score of 0.916 and a TAK M. MAKINO, CFM, is a Flood Mitigation Manager at Lockwood, Andrews &
match of 123 N Example St and 123 N Example would return a score Newnam, Inc. (LAN), a national planning, engineering and program manage-
of 0.75. Incorrectly matched utility billing accounts were matched ment firm. He can be reached at [email protected].

30 csengineermag.com march 2020

 Flygt - A Xylem Brand | www.xylem.com

Small Community Leads Central Florida in Potable Water Reuse Implementation

Altamonte Springs’ O3/BAF Treatment Facility is the First of its Kind in the State
According to recent studies conducted by the Central Florida Water Initia-
tive, groundwater sources alone will not meet future freshwater demands
for area residents. To address this looming issue, Central Florida water utili-
ties will need to begin diversifying their water supplies. There are several
options water utilities can consider when expanding their drinking water
sources, including surface water, groundwater, and desalination. One op-
portunity that is gaining nationwide popularity is potable water reuse.

“The city of Altamonte Springs, located in Seminole County, Florida, was one
of the first in the area to attack its water challenges by investigating drinking
water reuse.”

The municipality implemented a pilot program, funded in large part by a

grant provided by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD).
The pilot called the pureALTA project was designed with two primary goals
– to serve as platform for Altamonte Springs’ future potable water reuse
efforts, and to educate the 45,000 residents about the benefits of potable
water reuse.

The pureALTA project

pureALTA is an advanced treatment facility in Altamonte Springs that treats reclaimed water by employing an advanced treatment train that
results in municipal drinking water. The city worked with Carollo Engineers and Xylem to develop an ozone-biologically active filtration-
based (O3/BAF) advanced water treatment train that also included ultrafiltration (UF) membranes, granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration,
and ultraviolet advanced oxidation (UV AOP).

This solution was chosen over reverse osmosis (RO)-based systems that typically
have high capital and operating costs, and the added burden of brine disposal. The
pureALTA treatment process begins with reclaimed water, which is then treated to
meet or exceed drinking water quality standards without using expensive, energy-
consuming RO.

The innovative network of two advanced water treatment processes – Ozone and Bio-
logically Active Filtration – is handled by the Xylem Oxelia integrated O3/BAF system,
featuring a GSO 30 Ozone Generator, XA underdrain, and IMS 200 media
retainer technologies.

The Xylem Oxelia system treats approximately 28,000 gallons per day (gpd) and uses
an O3:(TOC+nitrite) ratio to set the ozone dose. The city monitors system performance
with Xylem analytics equipment from YSI, including NiCaVIS (upstream of process)
and CarboVIS (downstream of process).

Pilot results
The integrated Oxelia process set the tone for the performance of the entire treat-
ment train. The TOC reduction across the system ranges from 25 to 37 percent. More
importantly, it operates as successful barrier for the UF membranes. Through one year
of operation, the UF did not require any maintenance cleans and only performed a
single clean-in-place. This compared to most membrane operations that typically
require cleanings every six months.

Biofiltration column from Leopold, a Xylem Brand that includes

XA Underdrain and IMS 200 Media Retainer.

march 2020 csengineermag.com 31

Another positive outcome is the
improvement in UVT average
across the Oxelia process – from 71
to 86 percent – which also signifi-
cantly enhanced the performance
of the UV AOP system and reduced
the overall operating costs of the
UV reactor.

Based on the results of the pure-

ALTA pilot project, the city could
build on this success and develop
a full-scale system with the po-
tential to create about 5 percent
of Altamonte Springs’ daily water
demands, reducing stress on
the aquifer.

“We may be a smaller city, but

our philosophy has always been
to think outside the box when
it comes to meeting the needs
of our residents and to conserve
our natural resources,” said Frank
Martz, Altamonte Springs
City Manager.

pureALTA continues to benefit

the community
Altamonte Springs frequently
conducts educational tours at the
pureALTA facility, hosting groups
ranging from middle and high
school students to water utility Main Menu for the Oxelia integrated O3/BAF solution that has several
pre-loaded control strategies the Owner can select.
personnel from around the country.

The city has also developed the Altamonte Springs Science Incubator (AS2 I) program
which it offers as a hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M.) learning Placard at the pureALTA project commemorating their 2017
experience for Seminole County students. The program includes field trips to Lake Lotus WateReuse Innovative Project of the Year award.

Park, the Regional Water Reclamation Facility and its certified environmental laboratory,
and the pureALTA project site with discussions of treatment processes, safety, drought and the importance of diverse water supplies.

A toast to Altamonte Springs

Altamonte Springs and the pureALTA project won two prestigious awards. The 2018 International Water Association Project Innovation
Awards recognized the city as the only U.S. project with a top award in the Market-Changing Water Technology and Infrastructure category
for its forward-thinking applications and solutions to advance clean and safe water goals.

pureALTA also received the 2017 Water Reuse Innovative Project of the Year at the 32nd Annual WateReuse Symposium. The award recognizes
new and innovative solutions for expanding the use of recycled water and the creation of future models that advocate the implementation
of water reclamation nationwide.

“We are extremely proud of the hard work and committed efforts from our city staff and partners, and are honored to accept these prestigious
awards,” added Martz.

32 csengineermag.com march 2020

5 Ways Utility Valuation Can
Help Protect Municipalities
By Joseph M. Heaney

While most people may have a general sense of the market value of a
home or business, it’s not as easy to apply accurate values to a utility.
Not only do prices change across markets, but decades of adding to
these systems may mean municipalities or private owners lose track
of built assets sprawling across (and under) a cityscape or rural area.
Although a utility valuation may not be something a municipality
seeks out on a regular basis, there are several beneficial reasons to go
through this process. Consider the following five reasons to conduct a
utility valuation: Even if the valuation process doesn’t uncover forgotten assets, it can
help lay the foundation for new projects. Municipalities can leverage
1. Maximize sale value an accurate utility system valuation for more favorable financing con-
Perhaps the best-known reason to seek a valuation is to get the best ditions for a new build or new partnerships.
price from the sale of a utility asset. Much like selling a house or car,
the starting point for a utility sale is understanding how much an asset 4. Correct taxation values
is worth. A seller or buyer who consults an industry partner will have a A valuation can help a municipality ensure it’s levying an appropriate
much more realistic sense of their asset’s value and be able to plan fi- amount in property taxes upon privately-owned utilities and other as-
nancing and strategies accordingly. A thorough review of the available sets within its corporate limits.
reports, inspections, and other documents is the first step in homing in
on the true value of a utility asset. Municipalities rely heavily on property taxes, which are directly related
to the value of the assets within their corporation limits. Many utilities,
2. Avoid transaction risks including electric utilities, telecom or even private solar farms, self-
When a municipality has a utility valuation, it has a stronger place report the value of their assets, which then represents their tax burden.
from which to negotiate in the event of a sale. The risk of not conduct- An asset valuation performed on behalf of the taxing authority or mu-
ing a utility valuation is that the seller is subject to the terms set by nicipality of those utility assets can serve as a due diligence check to
the other side of the transaction. Becoming an educated partner helps ensure assets are being appropriately taxed for public services, safety,
sellers determine whether or not they’re getting a good deal. Without and costs of public education.
an accurate valuation, owners could miss out on a significant amount
of value from the transaction. 5. Secure accurate coverage
In the event of a disaster, one would assume that insurance will cover
Equally important, an inaccurate sale price could mean beginning a the replacement of assets — but this assumption can cost municipali-
transaction only to have regulatory agencies stop it in its tracks due to ties. By conducting a detailed valuation, municipalities can ensure their
an inappropriate market value. assets are appropriately insured. This process can also provide proof of
property value and be particularly valuable in making a future claim.
3. Know before you dig
Planning to build new infrastructure or buy adjacent assets? Consider- Know your value
ing consolidation, regionalization, or another cooperative venture with Ignorance may be bliss, but knowing the full value of owned assets
other nearby systems? Before you begin drawing up those plans and makes for a stronger all-around position from which to make strategic
agreements, it pays to take a step back and understand what you already decisions. By doing the legwork today to understand utility asset value,
have in place. An asset valuation can often demonstrate that it’s more municipalities can make better decisions for their citizens and rate payers.
cost-effective to buy or consolidate assets than to build them. In many
cases, municipalities are not fully aware of the extent of their assets or
other nearby facilities. Part of valuation work is looking for missing JOSEPH M. HEANEY III is the principal at Walden Environmental Engineering. With
data and potential consolidations or regionalizations— for example, 30 years as a professional engineering, Joe is an expert at managing the envi-
buried or separate assets that have been forgotten over time or weren’t ronmental compliance needs of municipalities, industrial clients and law firms.
documented correctly.

march 2020 csengineermag.com 33

Geospatial

Choosing the Right Antenna

for GPR Investigations
Look for the highest frequency that can detect
objects at the desired depth
By Jami Harmon

Antennas used with ground penetrating radar (GPR) come in different

shapes and sizes. The largest antennas typically radiate lower frequen-
cies necessary to detect the deepest targets. The smallest antennas radi-
ate the highest frequencies that provide the greatest resolution required
to detect small, shallow targets. The “best” antenna for a job is the one
with the highest frequency that can still detect objects at the desired
depth. Mark DeSchepper, President of Kansas-based Echo GPR Ser-
vices, has more than 12 years of GPR experience and offers some great
examples of how to select the right antenna.

The Importance of selecting the right antenna for the de-

sired depth
Selecting the right antenna for the depth of the particular target is
critical. If the antenna frequency is too high, the maximum detection
depth may be less than needed to find the desired target. The GPR Local supermarket hired Echo GPR to conduct a GPR scan to avoid losing power to
image quality deteriorates with increasing depth to the point where no cash registers or cutting refrigeration pipes in recent renovation project.

reflections can be observed. Conversely, if the antenna frequency is

too low, fine details are lost. For example, if using the wrong antenna, A closer look at antenna bandwidth ranges
individual closely-spaced shallow targets cannot be identified because GPR antennas send out a range of radio frequencies and generally have
they may appear as a continuous reflection band. an ideal frequency at which they transmit most efficiently. This value
is based on the size of the antenna’s transmitter and receiver elements
When assessing which antenna to choose for a job it is essential to and is often referred to as the antenna’s “center-frequency.” Another
consider the surface cover and soil present. One important parameter often-used term is the antenna’s bandwidth, the range of frequencies
is the material’s conductivity—how well does the soil, asphalt, or con- that the antenna transmits at power levels that are within half the
crete let an electrical current pass through it? The higher the material’s power level radiated at the antenna’s center-frequency. A typical GPR
conductivity, the more the radar waves are absorbed into the material antenna’s bandwidth is about the same as its center frequency.
as they are moving through it. In other words, the radar waves’ depth
penetration progressively decreases as the conductivity of a material For example, a 400 megahertz (MHz) GPR antenna will have a center-
increases. For example, asphalt typically has low conductivity, while frequency of 400 MHz and a range of frequencies radiated at power
concrete has varying degrees of conductivity depending on its curing levels within half the power level at 400 MHz – from 200 MHz to 600
state, wetness, and composition. Soil conductivity varies wildly, from MHz. The bandwidth would therefore be 600 – 200 = 400 MHz. Like-
radar-friendly sandy soils to radar-foe clay soils. wise, a 900 MHz GPR antenna could have a bandwidth that extends
from possibly 450 MHz to 1350 MHz.
For this reason, antenna depth specifications are based on the material
and application. Antenna specifications for soil-based applications use This bandwidth range means that small changes in center-frequency
soil information, while concrete-based applications use typical con- provide minimal enhancement in penetration depth. That is why GPR
crete parameters. antennas are not typically available in small frequency increments.
More commonly, antennas are available in center-frequencies that are
Other factors to consider when assessing depth penetration include the doubled, such as 2000 MHz, 400 MHz, 800 MHz, 1.6 MHz and
presence of metal reinforcing between the surface and the target. The 2.6 MHz.
tighter the rebar or mesh spacing (for example, in a concrete slab), the
more difficult it is to achieve the desired depth penetration. Selecting the right antenna
Selecting the right antenna frequency for a GPR job depends on the

34 csengineermag.com march 2020

 office retail spaces, and has performed GPR scans at all the hospitals in
Kansas City. They also work for geotechnical and environmental firms
to locate underground storage tanks.

DeSchepper explains that grocery stores cannot afford to accidentally

cut power to their cash registers. Also, they may have underground re-
frigeration pipes that run to their coolers. The last thing they want to do
is cut into these refrigeration pipes, which would result in downtime,
potential environmental issues, and even store evacuation.

Here are a few real world examples of antenna selection, taken from
the nearly 8,000 GPR scans Echo has performed across the
United States:

Simple concrete cutting or core drilling

For simple concrete cutting or core drilling, Echo GPR opts for one
of the higher frequency antennas, like the 1600 MHz or 2600 MHz
antenna. “I usually reach for the 2600 MHz antenna first. This is the
highest frequency and gives the highest resolution. But higher resolu-
tion gives less depth of investigation. If the project is in a thicker con-
Range of available antenna frequencies, their depth of penetration and applications
for which each is most suited. crete environment, we will switch out to a 1600 MHz antenna, which
is a very sharp resolution antenna but can penetrate a bit deeper into the
size and depth of the target. A lower frequency antenna will provide ground” DeSchepper says.
deeper penetration, but the tradeoff is that the targets must be larger to
be detected. Working upside down and on a ladder
Currently, Echo GPR is working on a basement remodeling job with
When looking only 1-2 feet beneath the surface, for example, when im- a steel erection company locating rebar prior to anchor-drilling steel
aging in concrete and looking for very small reinforcing and conduits, plates for support mounts. “The engineer elected to hire us because they
use a higher frequency GPR antenna, which offers greater detail. For know that once we have
deeper targets or characteristics, the primary and secondary choices marked out all the steel
are lower frequency antennas. These allow users to see deeper but one they can establish where
trades off the ability to resolve smaller or very shallow features the pre-manufactured
and targets. supports are and will be
able to drill into the ceil-
When scanning utilities, the mid-range antennas provide sufficient ing without hitting steel.
resolution to find 4-5 inch pipes at four to five deep. The general rule This speeds up their pro-
of thumb for utility locating is a 1:1 ratio; for every foot down, one cess.” For this purpose,
inch in diameter is required to return a strong hyperbolic reflection of DeSchepper selected a 2
a potential target. To scan deeper, for example, mapping geological GHz Palm antenna, which
features 20-50 feet deep, low frequency antennas will work, because gave him high resolution
very high resolution is not required. data with a good depth of
penetration, while being
Antenna selection based on a solid understanding of cus- extremely lightweight. “I
tomer goals am working upside down
According to DeSchepper, antenna selection should be based on a pre- and off a ladder, with both
job conversation that establishes an understanding of the depth of the hands above my head as I
investigation and what the customer wants to accomplish. Comfort, am scanning, so my an-
convenience, and safety when working on a ladder or overhead is an- tenna choice in this case
other consideration. is based on comfort and
convenience.”
Echo works extensively with electricians and plumbers who are re-
modeling existing buildings. “We do everything from a local grocery Locating targets in the
store that wants to install new plumbing in the floor and needs to lo- Z axis
cate existing utilities and underground conduits – all the way up to The Palm antenna was Using a 2 GHz Palm antenna, the contractor
nuclear power plants,” says DeSchepper. In addition, the Echo GPR also key to the success of located the plastic-capped rebar thread
team works in commercial remodels of strip malls, office spaces, and a project at a local chil- couplers in the Z axis.

march 2020 csengineermag.com 35

 in Kansas City. “In this instance we reach for the newer 350 MHz
HS antenna because the digital antenna offers a clearer image than a
traditional GPR antenna and a 50 percent improvement in depth pen-
etration. It also works with the newer control unit we use (the GSSI
SIR 4000), which has more power and flexibility to image these more
difficult to image targets.” Along with locating sewer lines and drain
pipes, Echo GPR also uses the 350 MHz HS antenna to locate underground
storage tanks.

Sinkholes or underground caves

When working for a geotechnical company at a property where there
are sinkholes or underground caves, Echo GPR uses a 100 MHz bi-
static antenna, one of the few GPR firms to do so. This enables the
company to scan more than 20+ feet down, while mapping out soil
layers and deeper anomalies.

Echo GPR scanned the area and identified 16 pieces of rebar reinforcement. Field conditions can make antenna selection more challenging
DeSchepper warns that selecting the correct antenna for achieving the
depth penetration required can sometimes be tricky. He explains this
happens with more frequency than might be expected – mainly because
actual conditions in the field turn out to be different than those given to
the GPR crew by a contractor. He offers this example:

“Recently, a contractor asked us to scan a 20 foot by 200 foot area

because they needed to cut out a hole and install a new piece of equip-
ment. I grabbed the 2600 MHz antenna, my usual go-to for concrete
cutting. Now, when I teach GPR for those getting the industry certifi-
cate through the Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association (CSDA), the
first thing I tell students is that the most important thing when scanning
Successful drill locations as identified in GPR scan. concrete is to find the bottom of the concrete – for both slab on grade
and suspended slab applications. This lets you know you are seeing
dren’s hospital. The hospital was building nine stories of research labs what you need to assist the cutting/coring contractor. When I scanned
on top of an existing parking deck. Contractors needed to thread new with the 2600 MHz antenna I could not see the bottom of the concrete.
vertical rebar into form savers that were buried in concrete. The form This was a definite red flag, since the contractor said the concrete was 8
savers have a profile of ¾ to 1 inch in diameter and are capped with a inches thick and the 2600 MHz was set up to look up to 12 inches deep.
piece of plastic. Contractors could not locate the form savers and called I quickly realized this was not the right antenna. I switched out to the
in Echo GPR to help locate them. Using the 2 GHz Palm antenna, Echo 1600 MHz – and lo and behold, the concrete they thought was 8 inches
located the plastic-capped rebar thread couplers in the Z axis. thick was actually 18 inches thick.

Says DeSchepper, “It was so accurate that contractors could hammer DeSchepper was able to call the concrete cutting company before they
drill and find 16-30 rebar couplers in each column. We had scanned left the shop; they came out with the right saw and right size blade to
800-900 of these rebar couplers and the contractor later told us we cut through the concrete.
had never missed a piece of post tension cable and only missed 2 form
savers in the entire project. This was gratifying, because the vertical Antenna selection should be based on a thorough understanding of
and plastic capped profile is such a hard thing to image.” what the customer wants to accomplish, as well as comfort and conve-
nience when working on a ladder or overhead.”
Locating sewer lines and drain pipes
According to DeSchepper, the best antenna choice for customers who
want to install new drain lines but do not know where the existing
sewer is would be a 400 MHz antenna or the 350 MHz digital antenna
with HyperStacking (HS) technology, which allows users to see deeper JAMI HARMON is the Marketing Operations Manager for Geophysical Survey
targets. The resolution may be less than other antenna options, but it Systems, Inc (GSSI), the world leader in ground penetrating radar. Jami has
allows them to look for larger targets 6 to 8 feet below ground. been with GSSI for twelve years and has experience with ground penetrating
radar in the utility locating, concrete inspection, transportation infrastructure,
archaeology, and geophysics markets. Jami is an active Board Member and
Another challenge Echo GPR faces is when they’re asked to look for Committee Chair for the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association (CSDA) and
a clay tile pipe drain line that is in the clay soil that is so prevalent participates in several industry associations.

36 csengineermag.com march 2020


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Wet-weather
infrastructure: Smart
analysis and TOTEX planning
equal savings and resilience
How “sweating the system” with smart analytics modeling and
TOTEX planning can deliver fit-for-purpose solutions,
capital cost savings, and system optimization
By Nick Anderson and Melissa Carter

In the world of data analytics there's a phrase that says we are data rich
and knowledge poor. The rise of real-time data has put more informa- Prior to kicking off the third and final phase, NBC selected Stantec to
tion than ever at our fingertips, but without proper analysis and context, revisit the original Phase III plan (involving a second deep rock CSO
this data boom does not deliver much value. storage tunnel nearly 13,000-ft. long and 28-ft. in diameter with an
estimated capital cost of $815 million) for opportunities to optimize
The Stantec team is working to address this challenge in our approach the existing approach and consider new tactics that may further benefit
to water infrastructure design and engineering to make our data work CSO control goals. Our first task was to make sure what was proposed
smarter and harder to deliver real value to clients. By using advanced more than 20 years ago would still meet the regulatory goals of storing
hydraulic models, our team is focused on translating extensive data a three-month storm and preventing no more than four CSO spills in a
into a holistic story of the overall outcomes of a project. typical year, which it did.

The goal? To increase understanding and confidence, drive efficiency, However, while the engineering approach proved solid, the original
and achieve real cost savings. analysis for this project was 20 years out of date from a technological
standpoint. Since computing power was limited at the time, teams had
Setting a plan, and checking it twice no choice but to make broad assumptions in modelling. This was where
Our ongoing work on one of the largest CSO projects in the Northeast- our team spotted an opportunity.
ern U.S. serves as a prime example of the great potential for advanced
data analysis when applied to hydraulic modeling in optimizing project By harnessing the power of advanced analytics in conjunction with
solutions. In this case, our team developed a detailed fit-for-purpose hydraulic models and total expenditure (TOTEX) planning, taking into
hydraulic model to help optimize CSO control facilities for the Nar- account capital and operational expenditures, we worked to “sweat the
ragansett Bay Commission (NBC) Phase III CSO Abatement Program system” to optimize the project. This was done while ensuring the new
in Rhode Island. approach still met the original CSO control criteria without introducing
any additional risk.
Over the past 20 years, NBC, which operates wastewater collection
and treatment facilities for 10 member communities, has been lead- The result? A detailed model with smart analytics that have helped
ing a three-phase program to address CSO volumes and resulting establish a road map for solution optimization at an estimated $60M
environmental impacts. Program goals include a reduction of annual reduction in capital costs.
CSO volumes by 98 percent with no more than four overflows per
year, an 80 percent decrease in shellfish bed closures, and a 98 percent Building a smart model for smarter solutions
reduction in fecal coliform loading. The main component in Phase I Using an adaptive management strategy, we focused on collecting as
(under construction from 2001 to 2008) involved the installation of much data as possible. In many cases more than what is typically at
a 16,284-ft deep rock storage tunnel with an inside diameter of 26-ft, the early stages of a design project, with an eye on using the power
located approximately 270-ft below grade. This phase also involved of data for project refinement as the hydraulic model becomes more
the addition of a tunnel pump station, drop shafts, and a consolidation informed. Very few clients have a backlog of data, so getting as much
of conduits. Phase II (under construction from 2011 to 2015) added data as early as possible with continuous metering and flow assessment
CSO interceptors to connect additional outfalls to the Providence Tun- created the means to gain confidence in the design at a much earlier
nel, several sewer separation projects, and the addition of a wetlands stage, with smaller refinements to follow.
storage facility.

38 csengineermag.com march 2020

By taking a TOTEX approach, we focused on analyzing the overall In the original plan, interceptors had been proposed to help direct flows
outcome for our client, rather than a single output of a project being to the tunnel. With our strategy of optimization, we focused on deter-
successfully delivered on time and on budget. In this vein, we looked mining whether aspects of the original system could be reused through
to examine standard operating procedures such as the long-term lega- minor upgrades to relieve bottlenecks and get flow to the tunnel. The
cies, the costs, the impact on future maintenance, and ownership. key was making sure the system was able to push flows into the tunnel
sooner to create the capacity in the lower reaches. This would then
This strategy informed our approach in building the hydraulic model, allow flows in the upper reaches to come down, ultimately reducing the
where we mapped all water discharge infrastructure within the ter- need for new infrastructure.
rain and layered in rainfall data to establish flow data. We then used
stochastically generated rainfall events to evaluate system exceedance This became the biggest single saving in the optimization strategy.
rather than the traditional approach focused on retention. Combined, Our reevaluation plan was amended to include this optimized design,
this data helped us better understand the system to determine flow which was accepted by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental
trends into sewers, available capacity, and general water movement Management in 2017.
within the system.
Using flow control structures in conjunction with real-time controls
Using a hydraulic model to understand both the magnitude of flows and enable the existing system capacity to be maximized before flows are
the timing is critical. Individually, these data points represent simple diverted to the tunnel; these structures are the cornerstone of the solu-
flow conditions, but collectively they represent a complex matrix of tion optimization.
interactions that must be understood and managed to create a success-
ful outcome.

Using flow control structures in conjunction with real-time controls enable the
existing system capacity to be maximized before flows are diverted to the tunnel;
these structures are the cornerstone of the solution optimization.

Analytics tools like this enable engineers to make earlier informed

decisions to optimize capital solutions. In making our data and model
Using a hydraulic model to understand both the magnitude of flows and the
timing is critical. Individually, these data points represent simple flow conditions, work harder, our team has been able to support NBC in setting this
but collectively they represent a complex matrix of interactions that must be CSO control solution up for success against the rigors of future climate
understood and managed to create a successful outcome. change, while ensuring the project is being used most effectively and
meeting project goals.
By continuously running the model, collecting NBC’s SCADA data,
and, in some cases, adding additional flow meters over the course
of our five years on this project, the model has become increasingly
informed. In seeing this data year over year, our team is looking for
trends and changes, making sure that the designed system is standing
up to the rigors of this increased implementation via real-time control
and adaptation in the face of future impacts like climate change. NICK ANDERSON is a chief civil networks engineer in Stantec’s water practice. His
primary responsibility is to ensure the technical excellence and quality delivery
of engineering planning and hydraulic modeling projects across North America,
One of the keys to the considerable optimization of this project was the working from the firm’s Atlanta, Georgia, office.
opportunity to better use the existing assets to manage flows. Once we
were able to understand the system, we used the model to determine MELISSA CARTER is Vice President, Director of Project Management, and
has worked on a range of water and wastewater infrastructure projects from
that NBC could open and close gates to fill the tunnel – which can hold Stantec’s Providence, Rhode Island, office. Her focus is currently on wet
nearly 59 million gallons of water – earlier, and subsequently direct weather-related projects to reduce or eliminate sewer overflows that impact the
flows to the treatment plants sooner so that NBC could get the most out water quality of natural waterways.
of their existing infrastructure.

march 2020 csengineermag.com 39

Common Construction Administration
& Inspection Issues That SaaS Can Fix
The construction contract administration phase for unit price contracts is often full of inefficiencies thanks to
outdated, manual processes. While the general complexity of infrastructure projects can lead to unavoidable
conundrums, a vast number of issues can be eliminated by redefining an agency’s process within a Software-
as-a-Service (SaaS) environment. Engineering firms and owner-agencies have been criticized for being slow
to adopt new technologies and generic project management tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and paper
have overstayed their welcome under the banner of “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” Still, many agencies are
beginning to recognize the value of aligning their process with the best technology at hand.
The following situations and processes can be greatly streamlined with the right cloud-based construction
management platform.
Managing Multiple Funding Sources
Funding for many horizontal construction projects comes from a mix of state, local, and federal funds. Budget
tracking for multiple sources can be a major headache involving innumerable spreadsheets, physical ledgers,
and specific project items that require manual updating on each progress payment. SaaS platforms offer a
better way to automate this process by tracking what funding source is paying for each item and automatically
pushing that information to the daily report.
Though spreadsheets have that capability, they require complex macros and a knowledgeable staffer to
manage the process. If that person leaves, the process leaves with them. Many SaaS products allow for
individual fund tracking by item with comprehensive reporting to keep stakeholders apprised of the funding
status, with a minimal learning curve to streamline the process through unforeseen staff changes or
new hires.
Working Without Internet Connectivity
Some agencies implement a SaaS-based construction management solution for mobility in the field, only
to find themselves limited by weak internet connectivity on rural job sites. Technology is funny that way —
without the infrastructure to support it, we’re almost better off with a pen and pad. Keyword: almost. Many
SaaS-based solutions offer an offline mobile app, an invaluable tool for field inspectors. These apps allow
field staff to enter daily work reports in the field which saves valuable time that it would have taken to travel
to an office to enter reports.
Disputes, Audits, and Project Closeouts
Construction professionals spend dozens of hours a week looking for project data, handling disputes
between project stakeholders, and assessing mistakes that require new work to be done. Accuracy and quick
access to data are both paramount to resolving disputes, but when there are thousands of paper documents
to sort through, the lengthy process can lead to tension rising on both sides of the dispute. The solution is
better record-keeping in a digital system that’s well-organized, searchable, and designed to handle specific
situations like budgetary conflicts.
Since most services keep comprehensive digital records and track daily activities, these issues are easy to
eliminate when contractors, consultants, and owners are bought in on using the service correctly. Managers
find that projects are “finaled” out quicker since there’s less back and forth with suppliers and contractors for
common issues like lost certification statements.

40 csengineermag.com march 2020

Daily Reporting Errors
SaaS-based construction management platforms come stocked with a litany of reporting functions that
generate automatic reports from information inputted in the field. Not only does this eliminate transcription
errors when moving field reports from paper to spreadsheets, it also compiles large amounts of live-data that
stakeholders can access to get ahead of possible issues.
The reality is, these are just some of the common grievances that can be eliminated with the right SaaS-based
construction management and administration solution. As leading developers in the field, we could talk
about it all day — but we’d rather show you. Visit https://www.infotechinc.com/appia to schedule a demo
and find out what Appia can do for your organization’s productivity, efficiency, and peace-of-mind.

march 2020 csengineermag.com 41

unmanned systems

Ground Penetrating Radar:

The Unlikely New Hero of
Autonomous Vehicles
GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating
radar (GPR) equipment, announces TerraVision™, the first-to-market
localizing ground penetrating radar (LGPR) technology that
improves navigation for autonomous vehicles (AVs). LGPR impact.
By Jami Harmon
asked by several firms around the world to develop and test LGPR.
This includes two large Japanese and German companies working on
The LGPR technology was originally developed at MIT Lincoln Labora- AV navigation. The performance testing in Germany may establish the
tory for military applications and is designed to help navigate even technology’s effectiveness by year end.
in the worst driving conditions. It works by sending radio waves into
the ground, creating a digital fingerprint of the subsurface. This un- How LGPR Works:
derground map of soils and rocks becomes the reference to guide au- LGPR works by using radar to map underground rocks, soil layers,
tonomous vehicles. The benefit? LGPR is unaffected by above-ground pipes and roots. Each 3m-deep slice image is surprisingly distinct.
conditions like snow, fog, rain, dust— conditions that present huge Stitching many of these images together creates a full 3D fingerprint
challenges to the usual AV sensors. Since this product is licensed from that can be used by any LGPR-equipped vehicle to know exactly
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under U.S. Patent where it is. Since LPGR relies 100 percent on what’s under the road
No. 8,949,024 for prototype or demonstration purposes, it is intended to navigate, it isn’t dependent on what’s going on above-ground: like
for OEMs and Tier 1 companies who aim to solve the hardest problem snow, darkness, tunnels or even if there’s a road there at all. Further-
remaining for autonomous navigation – the weather. more, with 50 years of know-how and data, GSSI can prove that GPR
maps remain rock-solid for decades, and has the geophysics experi-
Developers are now seeing solid results in all weather conditions using ence needed to make LGPR maps stable and reliable. LGPR testing
TerraVision, the worlds’ first commercial LGPR. In late June 2019, has shown an in-lane localization accuracy at highway speeds of about
TerraVision successfully integrated into Level 2 test automation in a 4cm - an accuracy equal to or better than other AV navigation sensors.
closed loop field trials in Devens, MA. Level 2 is defined as control
of both steering and acceleration, where a human sits in the driver’s For example, GPS navigation can give about 30cm accuracy, except in
seat and can take control of the car at any time. “GSSI is proud to be cities, forests and tunnels. Other sensors, such as LiDAR, Radar, and
conducting autonomous driving tests with this technology. It’s only the cameras, scan the surface features of the road and its environment to
second time this has happened with this commercial technology thus achieve about 10cm accuracy, but navigation can easily break down in
far,” said Dr. Babak Memarzadeh, TerraVision Project Lead, “and we rain, snow, dust, fog and even fallen leaves. Testing in Texas, Arizona,
can clearly see significant improvements since our first attempt.” and California can solve important problems, but for real progress to
be made, testing will have to be done in far less “friendly” locations.
Years of experimental testing at MIT has proven LGPR’s potential. That’s where LGPR can help.
Now, it is benefiting from the leading GPR company to make per-
formance improvements with faster hardware, smarter software, and Adding LGPR for AV navigation would compensate for known sensor
smaller mechanical design. For example, GSSI completely redesigned failure modes that put lives at risk. Creating the full map, above-ground
the RF switching, cut the power requirements by a factor of 4, reduced and below, greatly raises the probability that autonomous vehicles can
emissions by more than 100x, significantly reduced the size, made it localize and navigate roadways in any conditions. If international
more weather-resistant, and improved performance. “Basically, we LGPR field trials confirm MIT’s and GSSI’s results so far, it would be
took a science project and turned it into a manufacturable product,” Dr. a huge win for the industry, since user AV acceptance requires fail-safe
David Cist, GSSI’s VP of Engineering said. “The technology still has localization everywhere and in all conditions.
room to grow (shrink, actually), with plenty of fruitful real-world pro-
totype testing yet to come. With our decades of experience in geophys- JAMI HARMON is the Marketing Operations Manager for Geophysical Survey
ics, and GPR in particular, we feel uniquely positioned to collaborate Systems, Inc (GSSI), the world leader in ground penetrating radar. Jami has
with OEMs and Tier 1s to prove out this new sensor,” Dr. Cist said. been with GSSI for twelve years and has experience with ground penetrating
radar in the utility locating, concrete inspection, transportation infrastructure,
archaeology, and geophysics markets. Jami is an active Board Member and
GSSI has decided initially to focus overseas, given the uncertainties Committee Chair for the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association (CSDA) and
around FCC restrictions in the United States, and since they had been participates in several industry associations.

42 csengineermag.com march 2020

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 Bentley | www.bentley.com

Yunnan Yunling Industrializes Project Delivery

for Kunming City’s Rapid Transportation System
Digital Management Achieves Significant ROI to Support Smart City Initiatives
A Digital City Initiative
Capital city and political, economic, and cultural center of Yunnan province, Kunming City is developing rapidly and
accelerating pace to transform itself into a regional hub as part of an RMB 90 billion urban revitalization effort to
create a digital city. Multiple provincial and key municipal public private partnership (PPP) projects are being initiated
to stimulate and support the urban development, including an RMB 9.9 billion rapid transport system to improve
transportation infrastructure in the city’s southeastern section. The new roadway network spans 20 square kilometers
and has a total construction distance of 65.48 kilometers, consisting of roads, bridges, tunnels, and underground
pipe corridors. Yunnan Yunling Engineering Cost Consultation (YYECC) was retained as the lead building information
modeling (BIM) strategy consultant to effectively manage the project within the schedule and budget.

As a PPP project, numerous government ministries, stakeholders, and engineering disciplines required coordination
to ensure that investment, financing, design, construction, and maintenance processes met owner requirements. The
digital city initiative presented massive amounts of fragmented data among more than 25 project contracts with over-
lapping functions and a 20-year project lifecycle. Faced with these challenges YYECC required an integrated digital
solution to effectively manage the complex contract system and develop industrialized, automated processes for data
transfer and information sharing.

Digitalization Transforms Traditional Management Model

As a total solution provider offering BIM lifecycle services, YYECC sought to determine the feasibility of integrating
collaborative BIM technology to manage the Kunming PPP rapid transport infrastructure project. The team used Bent-
ley’s project management and modeling applications to create an open, connected data environment (CDE), visualize
project management, and improve management efficiencies. Leveraging the collaboration and management capa-
bilities of ProjectWise with the engineering, design, and visualization capabilities of other Bentley applications, YYECC
established a unified management platform and developed a comprehensive, owner-supported BIM methodology.
The process was designed to improve collaboration, ensuring real-time information sharing and accessibility, and to
optimize lifecycle management of the multidiscipline, long- term PPP initiative. Model and data files, standard process
and supervisory documentation, and design and construction information are stored within a single platform for
efficient collaboration.

Based on the structured format of more than three terabytes worth of stored, accessible data and documents in Projec-
tWise, tasks were appropriately divided, assigned, and evaluated, strengthening the organization and management of
the project participants. Integrating Bentley’s 3D BIM and visualization applications within the CDE facilitated coordi-
nated modeling and more continuous digital workflows from conception through construction and commissioning.
The technology and models were used to simulate analysis of the conceptual scheme, fully demonstrating the design
intent and economic visibility of the project to shorten decision time. The digital simulation features of Bentley’s
applications allowed for real-time analysis of construction progress to keep the project on schedule and to optimize
construction management, ensuring accurate material quantities and pricing and improving construction quality.

Using LumenRT to share the simulations with executors and directors enhanced appearance of the comprehensive
transportation network model so they could better understand the progress and construction to make more informed
decisions and accelerate approval time. The Bentley-based digital solution achieved data integration, collaborative
modeling, application analysis, and coordinated information sharing, transforming traditionally fragmented manage-
ment into efficient, streamlined processes.

Collaborative Design Facilitates Model Integrity

Having accurate digital models within the CDE provides the basis for data sharing and enables remote simulation
of construction progress and inspection to avoid safety concerns, costly mistakes, and missed project milestones.

44 csengineermag.com march 2020

Using Bentley’s design applications, YYECC established a collaborative modeling environment, creating a standard
template library, and roadway, interchange, bridge, tunnel and structural models for the rapid transport system. The
interoperability of Bentley applications facilitated integrated modeling and clash detection, improving design ac-
curacy and management. BIM designers relied on clash detection features and digital workflows within the CDE to
provide accurate data to specific design consultants to ensure model accuracy.

With four different design companies and multiple engineering disciplines, each discipline needed to ensure their
model integrated with the other models precisely. OpenBridge Modeler and OpenRoads allowed specific engineering
disciplines to design in context according to specifications to apply the model in daily project management. Perform-
ing clash analysis on the pipeline and roadway digital models during the pipeline corridor design revealed different
elevations between the models. The team identified and resolved 210 elevation issues between the pipes and the
roadway and underpass parking lot during the modeling phase. Bentley’s integrated technology facilitated more
efficient communication among the various design disciplines and enabled early error detection and resolution prior
to construction, eliminating costly on-site rework. With integrated modeling, the team could closely coordinate the
models and data, optimizing design integrity. “The model integrity is improved by 90 percent,” stated Li Chao, vice
director of BIM Center at YYECC.

Connected Data Environment and BIM Optimize Execution

By combining information mobility with information modeling using a CDE and robust BIM methodologies, YYECC
achieved digital management, industrializing project execution and delivery while facilitating a smarter digital city.
Using Bentley’s applications to implement the digital solution improved progress management by 42 percent and
design intent by 92 percent, realizing 63 percent design optimization. The interoperable BIM engineering applications
helped meet requirements for cost management by defining standard attributes at early project stages. This innova-
tive application of engineering data for cost management guaranteed efficiency and accuracy of multidimensional
cost management, improving engineering quantities and costs by 70 percent.

Using integrated BIM technology in the CDE reduced the review and approval process from one week to one hour,
lowered the deficiency of acquired early-stage materials by 40 percent, and improved on-site information quality by
30 percent. On previous projects, four full-time employees were required to manage approvals for cost submittals;
however, under the new collaborative management process, only one person is required to accomplish the same scope.

Industrializing project delivery processes through digital 3D modeling, visualization, and information sharing en-
hanced design efficiency by 25 percent, reduced design drawing errors by 60 percent, and improved visualization
efficiency by 70 percent incorporating LumenRT. Having the Bentley platform accessible via mobile devices and web
interface helped improve collaboration by 25 percent, while the ability to incorporate remote collection of data into
the CDE improved data integrity on the construction line. By adopting iModels and PDF as lightweight BIM appli-
cations to reduce file size, the team further simplified and accelerated data transmission and information sharing
for more efficient management. Using ProjectWise and BIM software, YYECC optimized execution and delivery of
Kunming’s rapid transport system and resolved the complex management issues. Implementing digital processes
and workflows to connect users and stakeholders facilitated effective collaboration and development of Kunming as
a new digital city.

Digital DNA Drives Urban Revitalization

Recognizing the successes achieved through collaborative digitalization of the Kunming transportation infrastructure
project, the Chinese government has introduced a new directive to other PPP projects in the region to adopt similar
BIM methodologies and technologies. Leveraging a CDE supported by BIM methodologies optimized information
sharing and accessibility and established the digital DNA required for future decision making by the owner-operator.
The new connected digitalized process enables reuse of data for other PPP projects to help drive urban revitalization
and achieve development in the Guandu area of a fully digital, new smart city.

Using Bentley applications to create a robust CDE and digital twin model of the rapid transport system, YYECC has
established the basis for better construction projects and a source for improving digital urban management for future
generations of Kunming City. Through execution of this transportation infrastructure project, the company realized
the full potential of industrialized project delivery, verifying feasibility of BIM for PPP projects and promoting digital
city initiatives. “We firmly believe that going digital, embracing digital workflows, is the best way to create a smart city,”
commented Chao. Learn more here.

march 2020 csengineermag.com 45

Land Development

Construction Challenges
of Rail in an Urban
Environment
The world’s cities are booming, and their growth is changing the face
of the planet. Rapid urbanization in developing countries—the gradual
shift in residence of the human population from rural to urban areas— Photo: UN World Cities Report
is both a challenge and an opportunity to steer the world towards a
more sustainable trajectory. In a rapidly urbanizing world, the urban rail system is an efficient way
of reducing traffic congestion, reducing emissions, and decreasing pol-
The latest UN World Cities Report1 found that the number of “mega- lution. The high capacity offered by rail systems can serve the high
cities”—those with more than 10 million people—has more than transport requirements generated within and between cities. Compact,
doubled over the past two decades, from 14 in 1995 to 29 in 2016. mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly development organized around a mass
Projections2 show that urbanization combined with the overall growth transit station is one of the most effective strategic initiatives to address
of the world’s population could add another 2.5 billion people to urban the negative effects of motorization and identifies rail transit systems
areas by 2050, with close to 90 percent of this increase taking place in as the backbone of urban development.
Asia and Africa.
The presence of railway stations in city centers enables effective intra-
Traffic congestion is a serious consequence of urbanization in any modality through transfers to urban public transport services in addi-
country, with significant negative effects on both the quality of life tion to cycling, walking, car sharing, and city logistics. The introduc-
and the economy. In addition to the time wasted, traffic congestion tion of an urban rail system can be popular and politically attractive,
results in unnecessary fuel consumption, causes additional wear and but the cost is high, and in many cases, improving bus services will
tear on vehicles, increases harmful emissions lowering air quality, and have a greater benefit than installing street-running trams and metros.
increases the costs of transport for business. Due in part to traffic, cities However, rail-based transport is appropriate where there is a need to
and megacities produce more than 70 percent of world’s anthropogenic move large volumes of people (in the order of 10,000 per hour) be-
CO2 emissions. tween major centres (e.g. a transport hub and the city center).

According to the World Bank (2018)3, as the developing world rapidly Urban rail is segregated into metro, light rail transport (LRT), and
urbanizes, there is an opportunity to build safer, cleaner, more efficient, tramways. Metro rail projects typically involve below ground, at grade,
and more accessible transport systems that reduce congestion and pol- and elevated sections with multiple-unit trainsets. LRT is traditionally
lution, facilitate access to jobs, and lower transport energy consump- aboveground and both LRTs and metros operate in dedicated guide-
tion. In emerging mid-size cities, where most of the new urban dwellers ways. In contrast, tramways mainly follow existing road and paved
will live4, city planners have an opportunity to design sustainable and area configurations, mixed in with normal road and foot traffic. Where
inclusive transport systems from the start, leapfrogging more polluting new urban centres are being constructed, it is possible to fully segregate
and costly methods of transport.

In older or larger cities, technology and big data are helping to bet-
ter map travel patterns and needs, to engage citizens, and to improve
the quality and efficiency of transport solutions. There are several ap-
proaches to this ranging from the provision of enhanced bus services
and dedicated bus lanes, creation of pedestrian areas with access only
by public transport, to the creation of new light rail and urban
rail services.

One clear solution to the problem of traffic congestion is to reduce the

reliance on the use of private vehicles by restricting their use in urban
areas with the introduction of congestion charges, or by removing them
from the streets altogether. As an alternative, adequate, modern, easily
accessible public transport should be offered to the travelling public. Photo: Railsystem.net

46 csengineermag.com march 2020

the rail lines to enable services to run quickly, reliably, and safely, as advantages of limiting the disturbance to the surrounding ground and
the development can be designed around the transport infrastructure. producing a smooth tunnel wall. This significantly reduces the cost of
In an existing city or urban development, the challenges of integrating lining the tunnel and makes TBMs suitable to use in heavily urbanized
the transportation system require careful planning. In many cases, this areas. The major disadvantage is the upfront cost. TBMs are expensive
is achieved by constructing underground, minimising the visual and to construct and can be difficult to transport. The longer the tunnel,
physical impact on the surrounding environment. the less the relative cost of a TBM per kilometer versus drill and blast
methods. This is because tunneling with TBMs is much more efficient
Going Underground and results in shortened completion times, assuming they operate suc-
Construction methods can be disruptive, depending on the needs of a cessfully. Drilling and blasting however remains the preferred method
project and its location. The construction of underground metro sys- when working through heavily fractured and sheared rock layers.
tems helps preserve quality spaces above ground, particularly in urban
areas; however, limitations on urban space means that deep excava- New Austrian Tunneling Method
tions for underground metro stations often approach existing structures The alternative to tunnel boring is the New Austrian tunneling method
such as buildings, utilities, and other underground facilities. Despite (NATM), also known as the sequential excavation method (SEM) or
the considerable effort that goes into their design, many urban metro sprayed concrete lining method (SCL). NATM is a tunneling method
projects still encounter problems. that deliberately and purposefully uses the load-bearing properties of
the advance core to optimize the mining process, secure the excava-
Deep excavations in densely populated urban areas impose specific tion, and minimize the associated economic costs.
challenges, especially the potential impact on adjacent structures from
induced ground and structural movement. They can also be a nuisance The NATM leverages the behavior of rock masses under load and mon-
to the community with site entry and exit challenges, shoring, under- itors the performance of underground construction during the project.
pinning, alterations to operations, dust, noise, vibrations and traffic NATM is not a set of specific excavation and support techniques. It has
congestion. Key to addressing these issues is the early engagement of often been referred to as a “design as you go” approach to tunneling,
key stakeholders and the early identification and resolution of critical providing an optimized support based on observed ground conditions.
issues that may have an adverse effect on the locality. Thoughtful plan- While excavating a tunnel in urban areas, the face of the tunnel is di-
ning and effective design solutions can minimize the impact on the vided into a number of temporary drifts in order to reduce the surface
built environment. settlements and deformations and to help ensure the stability of the
face. This is known as sequential excavation method. This method is
It is important to consider the social impact on residents and project- based on understanding ground behavior as it reacts to the creation
affected persons (PAPs). Project promoters and designers often carry of an underground opening. During the construction of tunnels, the
out special studies to find design solutions that will minimize disrup- stability of the excavation is usually ensured by the primary lining. The
tion and other impacts to the surrounding communities. The promoters definitive construction of the tunnel tube (secondary lining) is built
and the contractors should establish robust grievance mechanisms to only after the stress-strain state stabilization around the excavation.
receive constant feedback from the community to help ensure that
the risk mitigation plans are minimizing impacts. Robust stakeholder The main structural elements of the primary lining are sprayed con-
engagement throughout all the project phases helps to ensure that crete and the anchorage system. An integral part of the NATM is
feedback is constantly collected from all relevant stakeholders. Thus, geotechnical monitoring based on deformation measurements of the
executives and managers for underground metro projects are able to tunnel excavation. NATM belongs to a group of observation methods
make informed decisions with the wellbeing of the community in mind. based on a geotechnics, in which the course of construction is continu-
ously monitored, and the method of mining and excavation securing by
Tunnelling the primary lining are adjusted according to the actual behavior of the
Tunneling is the least disruptive construction activity in most ground excavation and the advance core.
conditions. Apart from the insertion points of the tunnel boring machine
(TBM), if used, and the sites necessary for the disposal of excavated This technique first gained attention in the 1960s based on the work of
material, there is minimal disturbance to the urban environment. On Ladislaus von Rabcewicz, Leopold Müller, and Franz Pacher between
the other hand, the method a client selects for tunnelling can vary de- 1957 and 1965 in Austria. The name NATM was intended to distin-
pending on the ground conditions and location of the works. Selecting guish it from the old Austrian tunneling approach. The fundamental
the right method for the project will optimize costs and minimize impact. difference between this new method of tunneling and earlier methods
comes from the economic advantages made available by utilizing the
Tunnel Boring Machines inherent geological strength available in the surrounding rock mass to
The TBM is a machine used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross stabilize the tunnel.
section through a variety of soil and rock strata. These machines can
bore through anything from hard rock to sand. Tunnel diameters can A variation of this process incorporates a slurry TBM, a specialized
range from 1 meter (done with micro TBMs) to 17.6 meters. Tunnel version of the TBM, which includes a plenum chamber that is filled by
boring machines are used as an alternative to drilling and blasting a slurry made from the water and bentonite, a closed chamber in which
methods in rock and conventional hand mining in soil. TBMs have the pressure is applied to the slurry to balance the pressure of ground wa-

march 2020 csengineermag.com 47

ter, and a cutting wheel that used for the excavation of ground. This
machine is frequently used in ground that consists of gravel and soil,
but it has a limited use in clayey ground mass5. It provides support to
the face of tunnel in front of the machine by using the pressurized fluid,
applied on the basis of surrounding ground permeability6.

Cut-and-Cover
The cut-and-cover technique, in which a trench is excavated (cut) at a
shallow depth and then backfilled (covered), is often used for the con-
struction of sub-surface, shallow tunnels. At a depth of 18 meters and
more, the cut-and-cover method is commonly used for the construction
of rapid transit tunnels. At a depth of 10 to 14 meters, this method can
be more practical and cheaper than underground tunneling7. However,
this method has the significant disadvantages of longer construction
duration, construction easement requirement, and high surface dis-
tortion8. It is also limited in its route, as it cannot pass under surface
structures and buildings, and can only be used in locations where there
is clear space above, such as roads and greenfield sites. Photo: Railsystem.net

Selection of Tunnelling Methods

In selecting a method of tunneling, various factors need to be taken
into account11. The following chart details the relative advantages and
disadvantages of the various tunneling methods.

Photo: Railsystem.net

Drill and Blast

The drill and blast method dates back to the early 1600s and is suit-
able for both weak-strength rocks (e.g. chalk, clay, and marl) as well
as high-strength rocks (e.g. quartz, basalt, gneiss, and granite). It is
suitable for non-circular cross sections and tunnels of comparatively
shorter length, where a TBM is not considered suitable for use.

The drill and blast method consists of several steps such as drilling
blastholes, charging boreholes, tamping, blasting, fumes extraction by
ventilation, mucking, and support installation9.

The main drawbacks of the drill and blast method are the vibrations
and shockwaves from the blasting process. These make it an unpopular Moving Material
choice in heavily populated urban locations. The drill and blast tech- The movement of materials frequently has a significant impact on the
nique has the added disadvantages of intense noise, gases, dust, and people who live in and travel through the affected project areas. Dis-
flying debris. As a result, both workers and machines must be evacu- posal of excavated material in urban locations is problematic. Delivery
ated from the working area10. of construction materials creates traffic congestion during construc-
tion, no matter how well this is managed. Delays make people late for

48 csengineermag.com march 2020

 and excavations for boxes, shafts and portals. Crossrail
is utilizing eight TBMs, six earth pressure balance
machines (EPB) and two slurry machines.

Transportation was mainly by rail and river barge, then

by ship to the landfill, avoiding the use of heavy trucks
wherever possible.

Source: https://learninglegacy.crossrail.co.uk

In the case of Crossrail in London, most excavated materials were

transported by barge and ship due to the proximity to the River Thames
and the access to the waste recovery and landfill site by sea. The ap-
proach to material movement will vary by location. Project executives
must prepare adequately to respond to those needs in ways that limit
impact to communities.

Photo: Doha News Stations

Construction of underground stations results in areas of disruption
school, work, appointments, and other important everyday activities. whilst the station is excavated and built. Modern techniques such as
Businesses suffer when clients and customers find it hard to access top-down construction, when practical, reduce the period of disruption
them. Everyday emergencies turn critical when ambulances, rescue and the amount of temporary works needed.
crews, and fire trucks are not able to travel regular routes.
The top-down construction method builds the permanent structural
Restrictions on the time of travel for trucks bringing in construction portions of the basement and station along with the excavation from
materials and taking away excavated material can help alleviate the the top to the bottom. The top-down method is particularly suited to
impact. In some cities such as Doha, Qatar, overhead conveyors have the construction of underground stations beneath busy roadways and
been used to transport excavated material from the tunnelling opera- provides significant savings on overall construction time. This is an
tions in the heart of the city to dump sites. Depending on the physical important technique for major projects, in which time is of primary
location of the sites, a range of options may exist. importance and surface disruption needs to be minimized.

Circular shaped shaft excavations, supported either by diaphragm

Case study: Crossrail, London walls or secant pile walls, provide significant advantages over plane
Crossrail is a new UK railway that runs for over 100 KM walls. They do not need supports such as struts or tie-back anchors.
from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through Such excavation works can be achieved quickly without a complicated
new tunnels under central London to Shenfield and construction sequence or coordination between the excavator and the
Abbey Wood in the east. It is currently Europe’s largest shoring or anchor installer.
construction project. Work started in May 2009 and over
10,000 people were working across over 40 construction
sites. The project is planned to open in 2021.

Within Central London, Crossrail is routed through 42

KM of running tunnels. The works in Central London will
generate 6,000,000 T of excavated material. 4,500,000
T of this material will be shipped to be deposited
at a ‘Waste Recovery’ facility at Wallasea Island
approximately 60 KM east of London, where it will be
used to create a coastal nature reserve.

Material unsuitable for deposition at Wallasea Island or

unsuitable for shipping to Wallasea will be transported
by road, rail, and/or barge to a number of licensed
landfill sites to the east of London.

The excavated material is derived from the tunnel boring Photo: Ulmaconstruction.net
machines (TBMs), sprayed concrete lining (SCL) tunnels,
march 2020 csengineermag.com 49
For elevated guideways (structures that support tracks in the air), the Construction methods will vary from location to location, but their
main disruption is the construction of the support piers. The guideway overall aim must be to minimise disruption to the urban environment
is usually constructed using precast segments that are lifted into posi- during construction where possible. Deep excavations in densely pop-
tion using a crane mounted on the piers and then post-tensioned to ulated urban areas impose specific challenges, especially the potential
form the span. impact on adjacent structures from induced ground and
structural movement.
This has a distinct advantage over more traditional methods of con-
struction such as casting concrete in situ, which relies on extensive Tunnelling is a good option for constructing metros in older and larger
support scaffolding to support the concrete deck during construction. cities. It is the least disruptive construction activity in most ground
In elevated sections, the station is also constructed above ground. In conditions. And, depending on the ground conditions and depth of
many cases, station construction can be achieved without significant excavation, a range of construction methods exist. But it can be ex-
disturbance to the local environment. pensive. Care must be taken to select the right tunnelling option for a
particular project to optimize cost and minimize impact.
Environmental Impact
No significant construction project, such as an urban metro, can pro- In considering any project and in particular one where there is inevi-
ceed without a thorough evaluation of its impact on the environment. tably significant disruption to daily life during the construction phase,
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is a formal conducting an ESIA and engaging early with stakeholders is essen-
process used to predict the environmental consequences of any devel- tial. Lines of communication with the local community must be open
opment project. It ensures that the potential problems are foreseen and throughout, as well.
addressed at an early stage in the projects planning and design.
When the construction starts, the promoter will keep track of the imple-
The main purpose of the ESIA is to inform decision makers of the mentation of the management plans addressing social risk and identify
likely impacts of a proposal before a decision is made. ESIA provides any further issues through establishing a grievance mechanism and
an opportunity to identify key issues and stakeholders early in the life robust stakeholder engagement. After the work is finished, the final im-
of a proposal so that potentially adverse impacts can be addressed be- pact on the surrounding area is minimised and often greatly improved
fore final approval decisions are made. by the creation of passenger transit and access areas, in-station retail
outlets, and infrastructure improvements to the local road network.
The ESIA should be prepared initially by the project promoter and built
upon by the designers and contractors as the project progresses. Ultimately, the disturbance to the daily routine of the local inhabit-
ants during the construction phase is worth tolerating, especially when
The Goals of an ESIA are: it will be these local inhabitants who reap the ultimate benefits of a
• to predict environmental, social, economic, and cultural consequences modern public transport system that reduces congestion and impact on
of a proposed activity. the environment.
• to assess and review plans to mitigate any adverse impacts resulting
from the proposed activity. References
• to support the goals of environmental protection and sustainable de- 1
UN Habitat (2016). World Cities Report; 1.2 World Cities: A Gathering Force,
available at http://wcr.unhabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2016/05/
velopment. Chapter-1-WCR-2016.pdf
• to integrate environmental protection and economic decisions at the 2
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA),
earliest stages of planning and activity. (2018) Revision of World Urbanisation Prospects, available at https://
www.un.org/development/desa/publications/2018-revision-of-world-
urbanization-prospects.html
A Risk Worth Taking 3
World Bank (2018). Understanding Poverty, available at https://www.
Traffic congestion is a serious consequence of urbanization in any worldbank.org/en/topic/transport/overview
country, with significant negative effects on both the quality of life Ritchie, H. and Roser, M. (2019) - "Urbanization". Published online at
4

OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/urbanization'

and the economy. In a rapidly urbanizing world, the urban rail system 5
Chappell, M. and D. Parkin (2004). 8 - Tunnel construction. Sewers. G. F.
is an efficient way of reducing traffic congestion, reducing emissions, Read. Oxford, Butterworth-Heinemann: 150-192.
and decreasing pollution. The high capacity offered by rail systems can Maidl, B., M. Thewes, U. Maidl, B. Maidl, M. Thewes and U. Maidl (2014). DAUB
6

Recommendations for the Selection of Tunnelling Machines. Handbook of

serve the high transport requirements generated within and Tunnel Engineering II, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH: 363-409
between cities. 7
Wilton, J. L. (1996). Cut-and-Cover Tunnel Structures. Tunnel Engineering
Handbook, Springer: 320-359
8
Rudolf, J., V. Gall and A. Nitschke (2008). Selection of alignment and
The construction of rail in an urban environment will entail numerous tunneling methods in urban settings. Proceedings of the World Tunnel
environmental and social impacts that require careful management and Congress 2008—Underground Facilities for Better Environment and Safety
monitoring, particularly during the construction phase. It is imperative Kolymbas, D. (2005). "Heading." Tunnelling and Tunnel Mechanics: A
9

Rational Approach to Tunnelling: 75-129

that they are understood, managed, and monitored extensively through 10
Lavon, E. V. (1980). Method and device for breaking a hard compact
a variety different means. material, Google Patents found at https://patents.google.com/patent/
US4204715A/en
11
Arshad and R. A. Abdullah: “A Review on Selection of Tunneling Method
and Parameters Effecting Ground Settlements” Electronic Journal of
Geotechnical Engineering, 2016 (21.14), pp 4459-4475

50 csengineermag.com march 2020

INNOVATIVE STORMWATER
SYSTEM PROVIDES
MAXIMIZED FOOTPRINT FOR
CHARTER SCHOOL EXPANSION
Detention Chambers Buried Under
New Athletic Stadium

The Kipp Charter School has completed its latest expansion for the
more than 2,000 students in attendance from pre-school to high
school. The new 600-seat athletic stadium, which officially opened To meet stormwater detention requirements, two StormTech chamber systems were
on October 24, 2019, was built for football, soccer, and field and track installed under the endzones at the Kipp Charter school’s new athletic stadium.
events. To control stormwater runoff from the field, parking lots, and Photo: The Daimler Group, Inc.
building, two underground detention systems were constructed using a
network of chambers that can hold a combined total of nearly 445,000 with AASHTO, ASTM and CSA design standards, qualifying them for
gallons of stormwater. use in commercial and municipal projects. Made from an engineered
grade of impact-modified polypropylene copolymer, the chambers are
“One of the main reasons we had to go underground and selected the made to provide a minimum 75-year service life.
chambers, is because of the constraints on the footprint of the project,
which was previously a driving range of the Bridgeview Golf Course,” Each chamber, measures 90 inches long x 77 inches wide x 45 inches
explained Amy Nagy, P.E., senior project manager for EMH&T (Co- high and has an installed volume of 1,339 gallons of water (178.7 cubic
lumbus, Ohio) who led the design team. “We didn’t have any spare feet). Ferguson Waterworks (Newport News, VA) supplied the cham-
greenspace to provide surface detention and water quality to meet bers and storm pipe from its Columbus, Ohio branch, and coordinated
City and EPA requirements. We realized early in the project that we the just-in-time deliveries to the site.
would have to utilize underground system because we couldn’t locate
the required storm detention within the floodplain, which was relevant Along the sides and on top of the chambers, ADS 0601TG non-woven
to the project. Utilizing underground detention allowed us to put it geotextile was used as a soil separation layer. Underneath the cham-
underneath the field in the endzones. This allowed us to maximize bers, ADS 315WTM woven geotextile was used to add scour protec-
the footprint of the project in order to accommodate a regulation high tion. Nearly 8,000 square yards of geotextile fabric was used.
school field and desired building. Once we looked at where that was,
we didn’t have any room for detention outside of that, so we had to ADS N-12® 18-inch diameter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe
move it within that footprint. was used to connect the chambers. Plus, 750 feet of four-inch diameter
N-12 perforated pipe provides additional drainage into the
“An additional constraint was to make sure we were clear from any StormTech chambers.
of the field underdrains and kept structures out of the turf area. The
design for the stadium was following behind the rest of the site plan. Each of the two systems has two StormTech Isolator® Rows that trap
We could have put it over the top of it, but basically we placed it in sediment from the stormwater drainage preventing it from settling at
the endzones because they were clear areas, and we wouldn’t interfere the bottom of the bed, which would slow the infiltration rate. The
with anything as the project phased out.” Isolator Rows can be cleaned out by a JET-VAC® process using access
from any one of the inspection/clean out ports.
The project design called for 288 StormTech® MC-3500 chambers to
be used and buried with a minimum cover of #4 gravel fill 12 inches ADS FLEXSTORM® inlet filters that are configured based on drain-
over top of the chambers, followed by another 12 inches of compacted age structure type and filtration needs were used in the upstream struc-
material. System A, 116 x 89 feet, under the south end of the field, with tures with open grates. Each FLEXSTORM unit effectively filters
168 chambers has a total installed volume capacity of 254,338 gallons silt, solids and other pollutants and readily fits an ADS pipe system,
of water, while System B, 102 x 74 feet, under the north end of the field including the Nyloplast® drain basin.
with 120 chambers can hold up to 187,000 gallons of water.
Nyloplast Water Control Structures were used in both StormTech sys-
StormTech chambers, a product of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. tems as a collection point where one or more drain lines converge.
(ADS) (NYSE: WMS) (Hilliard, Ohio), are designed in accordance The unit is designed to improve water quality as part of the National

march 2020 csengineermag.com 51

 weight and more fluid installation. Installing the plastic chambers can
be done with a reduced crew, and the equipment utilization to set the
chambers is minimal. You can handle them with just two individuals
in most cases. We’ve done multiple projects with them.

“We certainly like the high-performance pipe because it eliminates any

deflection so you can pass the mandrel test. Money well spent getting
the HP Storm pipe. We just use it to eliminate problems on the job site.
When we pull mandrels for the City, we want that mandrel system to
work every time. We’re going to use that pipe in the vast majority
of times.”

A high-performance polypropylene (PP) pipe for gravity-flow storm

drainage applications, HP Storm pipe provides stiffness and premium
joint performance. The ADS design couples advanced polypropylene
resin technology with a proven, dual-wall profile design for superior
performance and durability, according to the company. The pipe is
corrosion resistant and is unaffected by salts, chemicals and hot soils
Two underground detention systems were constructed using a network of 288 and meets or exceeds ASTM F2881 and AASHTO M330. Burial cover
StormTech chambers that can hold a combined total of nearly 450,000 gallons of
water. Photo: The Daimler Group, Inc can range from 1-39 feet.

Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and EPA Phase “The stadium is built into the hillside and part of it is in the existing
II Standards. floodplain,” explained Drew Hanna, project manager for site developer
the Daimler Group, Inc. (Columbus, Ohio). “We remediated about
Built in 2008 on the site of the former golf course in northeast Co- 30,000 yards of peat moss. Dug all that out, put back stable soils plus
lumbus, the campus includes KIPP Elementary, KIPP Primary, KIPP a little bit of rock to stabilize the plateau, and then put in about 80,000
Middle and the KIPP High School along with the KIPP Early Learning yard of fill plus the two StormTech systems from ADS. These take
Center and the KIPP Athletics and Wellness Complex. Additionally, all the runoff from the field and parking lots west of the stadium and
the YMCA of Central Ohio operates an Early Learning Center at KIPP flows through the filter then back into the watershed and the floodplain.
Primary for infants to pre-kindergarteners. Also, the Battelle Envi-
ronmental Center opened on the KIPP Columbus Campus in 2017. “It was quite a process. We literally built the plateau to the field 20
This center has learning labs, a makerspace, demonstration areas, feet out of the floodplain above existing grade, right up to the hillside.
and a three-mile nature path and preserve that is incorporated into the This kept the beauty of the land. When you look over the hillside, you
educational programming. KIPP is a national network of 242 free, see the floodplain, the river, all the natural trees and foliage. We even
open-enrollment, public charter schools that focus on educating early found an old abandoned bridge buried in the hillside, which we reme-
childhood, elementary, middle, and high school students.

The two underground chamber systems provide detention and water

quality for the limited asphalt area, the building rooftops, field, and
track. From the chambers, water flows into ADS HP Storm pipe, car-
ried into the floodplain area and eventually travels to Alum Creek. A
weir plate between the chambers and the outlet provides the required
release rates.

“Utilizing the StormTech chambers provided an efficient footprint to

minimize impact to the project.” Nagy stated. “And we needed the
water quality. The city of Columbus still regulates and requires post-
construction stormwater controls for both water quality and
water quantity.”

Massana Construction Company, Inc. (Columbus, Ohio) was respon-

sible for installing both stormwater control systems.

“We prefer to utilize the StormTech systems in most cases,” offered The Kipp athletic stadium was built on the former driving range of a golf course.
Toby Beegle, operations manager for Massana. “That’s because of Photo: ADS.

52 csengineermag.com march 2020

The new Kipp Charter School’s Athletics and Wellness Complex was dedicated on October 24, 2019.

diated, and is now a part of the landscape, adding even more character looking the floodplain, and the same thought went into the planning for
to the site. the new stadium.”

“The old golf course path is now being used as cross-country trail About Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
through the woods and back up the hills to the track inside the stadium. Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) is the leading manufacturer of
It all ties together as one big nature campus. high performance thermoplastic corrugated pipe, providing a com-
prehensive suite of water management products and superior drainage
“In the end, we probably moved 100,000 yards of dirt and built the sta- solutions for use in the construction and infrastructure marketplace.
dium. Even with it being the wettest year on record, we were definitely Its innovative products are used across a broad range of end markets
on budget. The timing was somewhat flexible to make sure everything and applications, including non-residential, residential, agriculture and
was done right with the floodplain and nature, and that we weren’t just infrastructure applications. The Company has established a leading
cramming it all in there to save time. This project took about a year position in many of these end markets by leveraging its national sales
and it was really one of the biggest earth-moving undertakings I’ve and distribution platform, its overall product breadth and scale and its
ever seen. manufacturing excellence. Founded in 1966, the Company operates
a global network of approximately 55 manufacturing plants and over
“The Daimler Group has been involved with the school since the be- 30 distribution centers. To learn more about the ADS, please visit the
ginning,” Hanna continued. “The one thing everyone always agreed Company’s website at www.ads-pipe.com.
on was to preserve the natural features of the site and build into the old
fairways. This made it possible to save a lot of tree lines. To keep the
beautiful vista, the buildings were built right up to the hillside over-

march 2020 csengineermag.com 53

 €‚
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 project delivery
Strong Connections
By William Gould

Building codes and referenced standards are constantly evolving. A

three-year or longer cycle for development of codes and standards
may present challenges to manufacturers’ product development plans.
Through the provisions in the International Building Code® (IBC)
Section 104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of construc-
tion and equipment, however, ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) keeps
pace with innovative product development through a continuous cycle
of new Acceptance Criteria (AC) being proposed and revised
every year.

In 2015, ICC-ES collaborated with the Deutsches Institut für Bautech- HALFEN HIT System – Balcony to Main Slab Connection
nik (DIBt) to develop a new Acceptance Criteria for Load-Bearing
Thermal Break Assemblies (LBTBAs) Installed Between Concrete During all phases of the process we felt that all parties were work-
Balconies and Concrete Floors (AC464; https://icc-es.org/acceptance- ing together as a team to accomplish a goal. The advantage for our
criteria/ac464/). ICC-ES AC464 was partially based on a new Euro- customers is that the area of application, the design concept and other
pean Assessment Document (EAD) for LBTBAs which form a thermal rules are checked and clearly described by experts.”
break between concrete balconies and internal concrete floors. Struc-
tural load tests, fire resistive assembly tests and engineering analysis In 2017, HALFEN’s HIT Insulated Connection received the first
were used as the basis for AC464, and allowed for a parallel evaluation ICC-ES Evaluation Report (ESR 3799) for a structural thermal break
to the EAD. system from ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES). HIT allows insulation
to run continuously through the balcony increasing the effective R-
The first ICC-ES evaluation report under AC464 was issued to HAL- value of the overall wall system by almost two times compared to an
FEN GmbH in ESR-3799 (https://icc-es.org/report-listing/esr-3799/). un-thermally broken balcony.
The HALFEN technical team, led by Dr.-Ing. Thorsten Heidolf, imple-
mented a very proactive approach including structural and fire testing ICC-ES and DIBt collaborated to develop AC464 under a Memoran-
done as part of their European Technical Assessment (ETA). A review dum of Understanding (MOU) between the two product evaluation
of the HALFEN test data and analysis confirmed compliance with ICC- agencies. The MOU underscores the trust that the agencies have
ES AC464 requirements, and qualifying inspections of the HALFEN in each other’s technical and quality management processes. Other
manufacturing facilities in Europe and the U.S. were successfully com- collaboration projects between ICC-ES and DIBt are currently in the
pleted prior to publication of ESR-3799. The HALFEN Insulated Con- works for different types of building products. "Global markets call for
nection (HIT) is a load bearing connection used as a structural thermal global product assessment solutions. We are happy to cooperate with
break for concrete to concrete connections such as reinforced concrete ICC-ES to provide high quality product evaluations to our industry
floor with reinforced concrete balconies. The HALFEN HIT system is partners. Aligning American and European technical specifications is
a novel load-bearing connection assembly that utilizes steel reinforcing a key factor in reducing evaluation costs and times-to-market for our
bars and innovative compression shear bearing units to transmits shear customers," said DIBt Vice President, Dr.-Ing. Karsten Kathage.
forces, bending moments or a combination of both shear and bend-
ing moments. Mineral wool is utilized as both an insulating and a fire “ICC-ES’ cooperation with DIBt was shaped to solve global manu-
protection material providing a minimum 2-hour fire rating. Strut and facturers’ conformity assessment challenges,” said William Gould,
tie models are used to analyze and design the HALFEN HIT structural ICC-ES VP of External Relations & Client Services. “This partnership
connections in regards to the concrete failure modes. The technical works because the two organizations have the same mission, and that is
solution to the complex connection behavior was facilitated by open to streamline the global conformity assessment process while helping
and frequent communication between HALFEN, ICC-ES, and DIBt save lives in the built environment.”
throughout the review process.
Subsequent revisions to ICC-ES AC464 were approved by the Evalua-
“The combination of ICC-ES’s and DIBt’s technical expertise and tion Committee in June 2017 in order to address expanded polystyrene
communication skills made the development of AC464 and the ESR (EPS) as a different LBTBA insulating material, in addition to the
3799 approval process very easy and straight forward”, said Dr.-Ing. mineral wool insulation previously approved in 2015. EPS insulating
Thorsten Heidolf, Team Manager of Structural Physical Products and blocks used as part of an LBTBA under ICC-ES AC464 must also
Reinforcement Systems at HALFEN. “As a product manufacturer, we comply with the testing and manufacturing quality requirements in
appreciate ICC-ES’s cooperation and quick turn-around as ICC-ES ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Foam Plastic Insulation (AC12).
reports are a critical component of our marketing and design strategy.

march 2020 csengineermag.com 55

The primary purpose of ICC-ES evaluation reports is to provide build- About ICC-ES
ing code officials with evidence of code compliance in accordance with ICC-ES Evaluation Reports (ESRs), Building Product Listings and
Section 104.11 of the IBC. The primary benefit of ICC-ES evaluation PMG Listings provide evidence that products and systems meet require-
reports to the manufacturer is to facilitate approval of their products by ments of codes and technical standards. The ICC-ES Environmental
local building code officials. Evaluation reports, listings and approv- Programs issue VAR environmental reports that verify a product meets
als thus indirectly help the manufacturers grow their business through specific sustainability targets defined by today’s codes, standards,
recognition under the IBC. Evaluation reports also provide peace of green rating systems, and ICC-ES Environmental criteria. The Envi-
mind to design professionals that the product has been independently ronmental Programs now offer Environmental Product Declarations
reviewed by an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited conformity assessment (EPDs), to meet global market demand for science-based, transparent,
body with expertise in evaluating the specific product. A lot of work quality-assured information about a product’s environmental perfor-
goes on behind the scenes in development of an AC from the manufac- mance. ICC-ES is a member of the International Code Council Family
turer, ICC-ES staff and other interested parties including the proponent of Companies. For more information, please visit www.icc-es.org.
manufacturer. As part of the ICC-ES evaluation process, surveillance
inspections of the product manufacturing are also done for the life of About DIBt
the evaluation report. This ensures continuous compliance of the prod- DIBt is the German approval body for non-regulated construction
uct with the ICC-ES AC and IBC requirements. “We are very proud to products and techniques. As a provider of services and public func-
be part of this alliance of evaluation experts, working collaboratively tions, DIBt fulfills a large range of technical and regulatory tasks in the
to help reduce any code conformity issues manufacturers may face, field of construction. These include, among others, granting national
in both the United States and Europe,” said ICC-ES President Shahin technical approvals, issuing European Technical Assessments (ETAs),
Moinian, P.E. “Together, we will increase efficiency in product evalu- granting structural design type approvals, recognizing and notifying
ation and testing.” independent third-party bodies as well as performing market surveil-
lance responsibilities. DIBt is also mandated to prepare and publish the
The collaboration between ICC-ES and DIBt is unique. It has allowed official Technical Building Rules and to keep them up-to-date. Learn
for sharing of manufacturer test data and associated analyses in order more at www.dibt.de.
to establish compliance with the ICC-ES AC and EAD simultaneously.
HALFEN was able to obtain an ESR and ETA under a unified testing About the International Code Council
and analysis program through the cooperative effort of ICC-ES and The International Code Council is a member-focused association
DIBt. In the end, the process was very efficient saving both time dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design,
and money. build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable
and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global mar-
Other manufacturers seeking evaluation reports for compliance with kets choose the International Codes.
the I-codes can work directly with ICC-ES as usual if they intend to
market and sell their products in the U.S. If manufacturers also want
WILLIAM GOULD, P.E., CDT, CCCA is a licensed Civil Engineer with 30 years of
to obtain an ETA to increase their global market reach, the MOU be- technical, management and leadership experience. He graduated from the
tween ICC-ES and DIBt allows for a collaborative project with both United States Military Academy at West Point, served in the U.S. Army Corps
evaluation agencies, streamlining the process for dual certifications in of Engineers and is a Certified Construction Document Technologist (CDT)
the U.S. and Europe. and Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA). Bill is active within the
engineering community and serves on a number of industry technical commit-
tees, including AISI, APA and ASTM. He is currently the Senior Vice President
Manufacturers interested in applying for an ICC-ES evaluation report of Engineering & Technical Services at ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), a
may contact Michael Temesvary, P.E. at (800)423-6587 ext. 3877 subsidiary of the International Code Council (ICC).
[email protected].

56 csengineermag.com march 2020

Protect Your Firm with An example of a LoL clause is listed:
Limitation of Liability In recognition of the relative risks, rewards and benefits of the project
By Mark Jackson to both the Client and the Architect, the risks have been allocated so
that the Client agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law and not-
withstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to limit the total
Contracts are important tools for your business relationships with liability of the Architect to the Client and all subcontractors on the
both clients and subconsultants. The different provisions in a contract project, for any and all injuries, losses, expenses, damages of any na-
can provide protection for your design firm if a dispute should arise. ture whatsoever or claim expenses arising out of this agreement, from
One such provision that we recommend be included in every client any cause or causes, so that the total aggregate liability of the Architect
contract is a Limitation of Liability. shall not exceed the total compensation received by Architect under
this Agreement or $50,000, whichever is less. Such claims and causes
A Limitation of Liability (LoL) clause limits the design firm’s liabil- include, but are not limited to, strict liability, negligence, professional
ity in the event of a claim related to your professional services. LoL errors or omissions, breach of contract or breach of warranty. This
clauses protect the assets of the firm in the event of a large claim or clause applies to all principals, directors, officers, employees, agents
multiple claims. and servants of the Architect.

Not all of your clients will accept a LoL clause but that should not stop The second type of Limitation of Liability clause seeks to limit your
you from asking for it in every contract. Even if only a small portion of exposure to an amount of insurance. This type of clause can be written
your clients agree to it, LoL clauses reduce your overall financial expo- to include policy limits. However, we recommend that the limitation
sure. Also, most insurance companies will give you a discount on the be tied to the insurance proceeds available at the time of settlement of
cost of your Professional Liability insurance based on the percentage a claim.
of your contracts that contain a LoL clause. LoL clauses are especially
important for small projects because they help balance the risk-reward Here is sample language: “…. the total aggregate liability of the design
benefit. The fees collected on smaller projects oftentimes do not justify firm shall be limited to the amount of insurance proceeds available at
the exposure of the firm for your insurance policy limits. the time of the settlement.”

Some key points to consider when drafting LoL language: If you hire subconsultants, you need to pay special attention to LoL
clauses in your agreements. Although we stress the importance of get-
• Do not attempt to relieve the firm of all liability. Instead, put a cap on the ting LoL clauses, you should not grant a LoL to your subconsultants
liability for a pre-determined amount. Language that attempts to eliminate all unless you get one from your client.
liability may make it unenforceable.
• Keep the LoL clause and any indemnity clause totally separate and apart. There is a case where a client filed a claim against an architect due
• Make the LoL clause apply to actions against any principal, officer, agent to structural issues on the project. The architect did not have a LoL
and employee of the corporation, as well as the corporation itself. clause with the client, but their agreement with the structural engineer
• The LoL clause should apply to all causes of action by the client including subconsultant granted a LoL that capped the subconsultant’s liability at
breach of contract, breach of warranty, and negligence. $75,000. The claim settled in excess of $2M, with the structural engi-
• The clause should not attempt to limit third party claims, but instead should neer’s contribution limited to $75,000. The architect was responsible
address only claims by the client for the difference even though $1.3M of the damages were attributed
to the subconsultant.
Limitation of Liability (LoL) clauses can be drafted based on either
a set dollar amount or a limit of insurance. The first type of clause Limitation of Liability clauses are an important risk management tool
specifies a fixed dollar amount or an amount equal to your contract for design firms. Limiting your liability can be as important as nego-
fee. This set-limit clause is desirable for small fee projects. The design tiating your fee and a LoL clause should be standard language in all of
firm should not have to expose itself to a large claim for projects that your client contracts.
generate very little profit.

march 2020 csengineermag.com 57

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