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A Better World By Design
LATEST NEWS
 By: Rudy Simoneaux, III, P.E.
ASCE Baton Rouge Branch President
It’s hard to believe that Spring is already upon on us! It’s been a very busy first quarter for the Baton Rouge Branch in 2013. We had another well-attended Lunch Meeting in February with over 90 members showing up. LAPELS presented engineering ethics rules, regulations, and case studies to our membership. Additionally, we continued our annual tradition by celebrating Engineer’s Week with LES by participating in the annual E-Week Banquet. The Branch awarded its annual scholarship at the Banquet to LSU Civil Engineering Junior Ms. Nelida Herrera. The scholarship selection was very competitive this year since we increased the award to $1,000. Congratulations to Nelida!. The big event of this quarter was the Baton Rouge Branch’s participation in the 2013 Deep South Student Conference. This annual event, which includes events such as the Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge, and Survey student competitions, was hosted by Southern University and held in Baton Rouge. I want to begin by recognizing the Southern University students for our their hard work and commitment in organizing and hosting this event. I’d also like to thank our Branch Practitioner Advisor, Kahli Cohran, for all his hard work. ...
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Scholarship Awarded at E-Week Banquet
Nélida Herrera is the recipient of the 2013 ASCE Baton Rouge Branch Scholarship for $1,000. Nélida is a student in the Civil Engineering program at LSU with an overall GPA of 3.93. Ms. Herrera’s student activities at LSU include being a student worker at the English Language and Orientation Program. In this position Ms. Herrera has led Campus tours for new international students and assisted students in their registration process. Recently, Nélida started working in the Center for Academic Success, a position in which she tutors students in different subjects such as: math, chemistry, statics, and Spanish. As a member of the ASCE, Ms. Herrera participates in various meetings, events, and activities including the LSU Steel Bridge Competition. This program allows her to further develop engineering skills, learn new concepts in engineering, and have a good time working with the team.
Pictured: Nelida Herrera and President Rudy Simoneaux
ABMB Engineers, Inc. Recipient for Superior Employer Recognition Award
Young engineer enthusiasm, meaningful involvement, and growth are keys to ASCE’s future. As a means of fostering individual Younger Member participation in Society activities, the ASCE Committee on Younger Members (CYM) has developed a program to help Branches recognize those employers who encourage their Young engineers to get involved in ASCE activities. ABMB Engineers, Inc. (now Stantec) has been awarded the Superior Employer Recognition Award. ABMB Engineers, Inc. at the time of the award employed 12 current ASCE members under the age of 35. ABMB has many resources available for employees to research, write, and publish professional articles and fully supports employees publishing technical articles. Charles Hummel, P.E. was on the AASHTO/NSBA Steel Bridge Collaboration Task Group 13 and assisted in the research and publication of AASHTO/NSBA’s G13.1 Guidelines for Steel Girder Bridge Analysis in 2011. Ben McArdle worked with Dr. Brian Wolshon on two articles, one published in 2011 and the other in 2009. The 2011 article was called Traffic Impacts and Dispersal Patterns on Secondary Roadways During Regional Evacuation published in Natural Hazards Review, Vol. 12(1). This award was presented to ABMB Engineers, Inc. during the April luncheon. |
UPCOMING EVENTS
LUNCHEONS
April 18, 2013 - Topic - Site Optimization Modeling
Speaker: Mr. David Settlemyer, P.E., Director of Civil Engineering, BLUERIDGE Analytics
Time and Location: 11:30; Drusilla
$25 Members, $30 Non-Members, $10 Students
Sponsors: SJB Group, Terracon
RSVP: secretary.ascebr@gmail.com
 
May 30, 2013 - Joint Meeting With LES at Jubans
Speaker: Mayor Kip Holden
Time and Location: 11:30; Jubans
$25 Members, $30 Non-Members, $10 Students
Sponsor: GeoEngineers
RSVP:les-br@les-state.org
June 20, 2013 - Topic TBD
Speaker: Chip Groat, President - Water Institute of the Gulf
Time and Location: 11:30; Drusillas
$25 Members, $30 Non-Members, $10 Students
Sponsor: Fugro
RSVP:secretary.ascebr@gmail.com
Continuing Education Opportunities:
| June 2013 |
| June 5-7 |
Region 5 - New Orleans, LA |
Techniques for Pavement Rehabilitation |
More Info |
| June 6-7 |
Region 5 - Tampa, FL |
Design and Strengthening of Shallow Foundations for Conventional and Pre-Engineered Buildings |
More Info |
| June 19-21 |
Region 5 - Atlanta, GA |
Structural Design of Buildings and Industrial Facilities for Bomb Blasts and Accidental Chemical Explosions |
More Info |
| July 2013 |
| July 10 |
Region 5 - Pensacola, FL |
HEC-RAS Computer Workshop |
More Info |
| September 2013 |
| Sept. 18-20 |
Region 5 - Atlanta, GA |
Structural-Vibration Analysis: Design and Troubleshooting |
More Info |
| Sept. 19-20 |
Region 5 - Tampa, FL |
Wind Loads for Buildings and Other Structures |
More Info | |
IN THE NEWS
Woodlawn High School Math Students Tour Tiger Stadium!
ASCE members assisted LSU personnel to take Woodlawn High School math students on a tour of Tiger Stadium. This tour was a reward to the students who had performed well. The purpose of the tour was to expose the students to the use of math in life outside of school. Members showed foundations that were being constructed and explained how the placement of the piles had to be exact or the structure would be in danger of not standing. They explained that the design of the structure and of the piles was done by engineers who use math every day, and the layout of the structure was being done by the present construction personnel. LSU staff explained that these construction personnel were not engineers and were having to do measure from drawings and lay out using known references. In other words they were using math to figure out where to place the piles.
 The picture shows the students being shown the field of Tiger Stadium. The LSU staff in charge of the field then explained the slope of the field and underdrain system used math to keep the field dry; how math is used to calculate the amount grass seed placed; and ...
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AROUND THE BRANCH
Younger Members - Activities! by Justin Schexnayder
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity Events!
Younger Members and Student Chapter Members from LSU and Southern teamed up for two volunteering events. The first was held on October 27, 2012 for Habitat for Humanity, and the second was November 2, 2012 for The Baton Rouge Food Bank. The Food Bank saw a great turn out. Thanks to all who came out and supported these great causes! Look out for more fun activities for 2013!
 
New Younger Member Chair Installed
I am pleased to announce the recent installation of Justin Schexnayder as the Younger Member Chair for the 2012 -2013 term! Justin is an engineer intern that works at Providence Engineering and Environmental Group, LLC and he can be reached via email at justinschexnayder@providenceeng.com. I...
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REGION 5 WORKSHOP FOR SECTION AND BRANCH LEADERS
The Workshop for Section and Branch Leaders (WSBL) took place February 8 & 9, 2013 in Warwick, Rhode Island (near Providence). During the workshop, Winter Storm Nemo hit the area with more than 24 inches of snow. It paralleled hurricane season in Louisiana except the snow could be moved (with great effort). A driving ban was in place, power was out in nearby residences, and all outside activities were cancelled including flights.
As the Director of Education, particularly of interest was the session on Civil Engineering Clubs in high schools. Participants were provided with a Civil Engineering Club model to use. If anyone has information on high schools willing to participate in this pilot program please contact me at Jennifer.Shortess@la.gov
KEY POINTS:
1) You do not have to be a civil engineer to beco...
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For questions or comments related to the website or newsletter, please contact the newsletter editor, Steve Gunter, at 225-293-8378 or steve.gunter@psiusa.com |
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