May 2015 Luncheon
Speaker: Mr. Michael Marasa, Senior Engineer, Hayward Baker
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2015
Topic: Investigation and Repair of the Sinkhole at the National Corvette Museum
Presentation: PDF (Many of these images in the presentation have been copyrighted. Please do not reproduce any of the images or content without written permission.)
Summary: This one hour presentation discussed various aspects of the sinkhole collapse at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It gave due respect to the historical significance of the vehicles impacted by the collapse and includes bits of geology, history, engineering, anecdotes, photos, comedy, lore, and an infatuation with America's sports car.
At 5:38 am on the morning of February 12, 2014, security cameras recorded the collapse of the display floor and development of a sizeable sinkhole inside the museum. Eight treasured and unique corvettes sank into the cavity. Within 24 hours, a team had been assembled to stabilize the area, assess the short term risk, evaluate procedures to safely remove the automobiles, and develop a plan for exploration and permanent repair.
Team members represented a wide range of professionals representing construction, engineering, surveying, geology, environmental consultants, academic experts, and state geotechnical and safety officials. Data acquisition included large diameter drilled holes, laser surveys, micro gravity study, physical cave exploration, borehole cameras, and literature research.
The team executed all of these aspects amidst worldwide attention and media chaos. The team employed live webcams, hourly Facebook postings, and YouTube videos to show the world the progress as the project progressed.
Every aspect of study and repair entailed moderate to very high degrees of risk in all categories. The expertise and determination of the team conquered all of the obstacles in as timely a manner as possible attempting to maintain economical approaches whenever possible.
About the speaker:
Mr. Marasa is a graduate of the University of Louisville with advanced studies in the geosciences. He has been a practicing geotechnical engineer over 35 years and had registrations in multiple states. He joined Hayward Baker, Inc. in early 2005 as Senior Engineer and Regional Business Development Manager.
Other highlights:
Past-President ASCE Nashville Branch
Founder, Past Chairman and board member ASCE TN Section Geotechnical Group
Founder and board member Charlotte Geotechnical Group
Founder and board member Raleigh Geotechnical Group
Former Member ASCE National Committee on Construction Quality Management & Inspection
Member ASDSO, Geo-Institute, ABC, US Society on Dams, HBI Vibro Committee
Member ASFE/GBA Geotechnical Committee
Author of several technical papers
Sponsor: Terracon