You are invited to the next
American Society of Civil Engineers
North Carolina Section
Eastern Branch
Luncheon
REGISTER ONLINE NOW
Deadline to RSVP is 5:00pm, Wednesday, May 20th, 2015
Speaker: Mr. Michael Marasa, Senior Engineer, Hayward Baker
Date: Thursday, May 20, 2015
Topic: Investigation and Repair of the Sinkhole at the National Corvette Museum
Time: Registration starts at 11:30am. Program runs from 12:00pm to about 1:30pm
Summary: This one hour presentation will discuss various aspects of the sinkhole collapse at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. However, it is not a highly technical analysis or case study. Rather, it gives 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
Location: NC State University Club at 4200 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606. You can contact the NC University Club at (919) 828-0308 if you need assistance locating their establishment.
Costs: The luncheon rates are $25 for ASCE Members, $30 for Non-ASCE Members, and $10 for ASCE Life Members, Students, and Unemployed ASCE Members. If you are paying at the door, please bring cash or a check made out to "ASCE NC Eastern Branch".
You can register and pay for the event online using your credit card. There are no additional fees, accounts, or passwords to remember. You will be able to specify your meal preference during registration. Upon arrival at the event, just check-in at the registration table using your name.
We understand your schedule may change and you might not be able to make it to the event. Cancellations with refunds can be honored up until 48 hours before the event starts. If you are neither able to attend nor cancel in time, you may send a replacement. To help Professional Engineers in attendance acquire 15 Professional Development Hour (PDH) units per license renewal period in accordance with 21 NCAC 56.1703, we offer one PDH certificate after the presentation.
Our online system handles all registrations and payments. Even if you don't want to pay online, please use the online system to register. The online system will also allow you to specify your meal preference (Omnivorian or Vegetarian). Upon arrival at the luncheon, just check-in and pay at the registration table using your name.