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TGEP 35: Exploring Deep Foundations in Geotechnical Engineering

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Deep Foundations in Geotechnical EngineeringIn this episode of The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast, we talk to Maurice Diong, P.E. an engineer at Skanska, USA about deep foundations in geotechnical engineering, the importance of getting out on the field, and using the most effective solutions on the field.


Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Maurice in This Episode:

  • What are deep foundations and what kind of deep foundations do you work on?
  • What are some of the different construction techniques for deep foundations that geotechnical engineers should be aware of?
  • Tell us about a deep foundation project that you have been involved in and how it benefited your engineering career.
  • The focus on getting things right sometimes becomes an obsession with obtaining perfection. How do you resolve this?
  • What final piece of advice would you like to give engineers out there?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Deep Foundations in Geotechnical Engineering:

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TCEP 186: The Secret to Building a Not So Average Civil Engineering Firm

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civil engineering firmIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Ryan Getz, P.E, Managing Partner at WGA Consulting Engineers, about how he grew his civil engineering firm from seven to 50 people, and the role that your staff plays in building a business. Ryan also gets into the importance of reinventing yourself and how it affects the success of your firm.

Engineering Quotes:


Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Ryan:

  • What motivated you and your partner to start WGA?
  • How are you building WGA that sets it apart from other companies in the industry?
  • How do you develop the soft skills needed to run an effective business?
  • What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in the industry throughout your career?
  • What does it take to scale a company as opposed to just keeping it small?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Building a Not So Average Civil Engineering Firm:

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Numbers May Drive the Business, but People Drive the Numbers®

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This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

People Drive the NumbersFor several years, I had the good fortune to be in CEO mastermind groups. These confidential mastermind groups were comprised of CEOs who shared their frustrations and challenges in running their businesses.  A favorite mantra of these CEOs was, “This would be a great business if I didn’t have to deal with people.” That mantra led to me creating my tagline: Numbers may drive the business, but people drive the numbers®.  Without the people, you have no business.

Here Are Some Tips for Taking Care of Your People:

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TSEC 62: All You Need to Know About Modular Construction

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Modular ConstructionIn this episode of The Structural Engineering Podcast, we talk to Aaron Miller, P.E. who is a senior project manager at DCI Engineers. We will be talking about modular construction, what it is, and how it fits into the construction environment.  

Engineering Quotes:


Modular Construction

Modular Construction

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Aaron in This Episode:

  • What is modular construction?
  • What is the comparison between the speed of typical constructions and modular constructions?
  • How does your experience with modular construction shape your approach to structural design?
  • How do offsite construction techniques fit into the construction environment?
  • What are some of the lessons you learned from past modular projects you’ve worked on?
  • How important is training and experience for modular design?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Modular Construction:

  • The modular construction referred to here is volumetric modular that is an offsite construction technique that incorporates all the building systems (or as many as you can) that consist of all the MEP’s, structures, and interior finishes to minimize work in the field.
  • The modules are predominately mostly made from wood, structural steel, and shipping containers.
  • An eight-story podium, like a five-story wood over three concrete, would take about six to eight months to complete. The preparation and schedule for volumetric modular buildings take the same time, however once delivered on-site and after placing the concrete, it can be completed in as little as 7 days.
  • Working with modular constructions shapes helps you to think ahead when it comes to working on other structural design projects.
  • Modular construction is still very new and is not an established design methodology yet, therefore schools have not yet started teaching it to their students. It all comes down to understanding the sequence and accessibility and how to incorporate components into the structures.
  • Some entities are attempting to produce a codified code for modular construction like the Modular Building Institute (MBI) and manufacturers are also trying to get some information to the IBC (International Building Code).
  • One of the advantages of modular construction is better collaboration between people as it necessitates it right from the start of the project.

More Details in This Episode…

About Aaron Miller, P.E.

Modular ConstructionAaron Miller has more than a decade’s worth of experience providing quality engineering design to a variety of materials in factory-built (modular) construction, residential, mixed-use, light industrial, and commercial projects. His responsibilities include project management, client relationships, and developing structural processes for off-site construction techniques.

Aaron is adept at collaborating with multiple disciplines to provide his projects with cost-effective, efficient designs. His experience with multi-story podium projects and factory-built design has provided cost-effective structural solutions for the growing housing industry in California, Washington, and beyond. Aaron co-chairs the in-house modular technical committee and conducts informational presentations about the topic to AEC professionals.

 Sources/References:

Connect with Aaron via LinkedIn
Modular Design Makes for Quick Construction
International Building Code
Offsite Construction Expo

Please leave your comments or questions in the section below.

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To your success,

Matthew Picardal P.E. & Cara Green, EIT
Hosts of The Structural Engineering Podcast

As a Leader, You Must Extend Trust to Earn Trust

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This is a blog by Jeff Perry, MBA

Can you ever write and talk enough about trust? Probably not. Its power is huge at work, at home, in communities, and more.  

Without trust, things just break down. Yet trust doesn’t just happen or magically appear. It is built and shaped over time in relationships by making and keeping commitments to each other.  

But where does it begin?  

With you. 

A Leader’s Job Is to Lead 

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TGEP 34: Earth Retention Systems in Geotechnical Engineering

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Earth Retention SystemsIn this episode, we talk to Stan Worst, P.E., the Operations Manager at Schnabel Geostructural Design & Construction about the ever-changing profession of geotechnical engineering and more specifically, earth retention systems, and how they have changed over the past twenty years.

Engineering Quotes:

Earth Retention Systems

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Stan:

  • Please could you explain what earth retention systems are?
  • How have typical earth retention projects grown or changed over the past twenty years?
  • Tell us about a challenging earth retention project you have worked on in the past and how it has benefited your engineering career?
  • Getting an engineering degree does not always prepare engineering students to be managers. How do you feel about that statement, and how can engineering students better prepare themselves for managerial roles?
  • What skills are lacking in newly graduating engineers, and what skills do they have which most working professionals do not have?
  • What advice do you have for engineers to find and develop the next generation of engineering talent?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Earth Retention Systems in Geotechnical Engineering:

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TCEP 185: How to Grow a Civil Engineering Company Successfully

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Grow a Civil Engineering CompanyIn this episode, the ninth episode in our Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs Series, I talk to Brian Barker, P.E., M.S., Principal at Deuel & Associates about how to start and grow a civil engineering company successfully, specifically some of the challenge you will face when you start, and how to overcome them.  Brian also talks about how you can reduce your company’s risk through client diversification.

Engineering Quotes:

Grow a Civil Engineering Company

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Brian:

  • How do you find, develop, and retain the right people in your firm?
  • What markets can a civil engineer think of getting into to grow their company?
  • Are there benefits to having an in-house surveying component in a civil engineering company?
  • What needs to be focused on daily to continue the growth of your company?
  • What advice do you have for civil engineers getting into the leadership part of a civil engineering company?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Grow a Civil Engineering Company:

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Three Situations Where Customers Are Not Always Right

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This is a guest post by Nader Mowlaee

CustomersYou must have heard this phrase before: “The customer is always right.” And chances are you have assumed that it applies to everyone and every business. However, based on my experience, there are three situations where this is not the case. In this article, I would like to share those situations with you so you won’t be negatively affected by misplaced beliefs or false expectations.

The idea or purpose behind this saying is to improve the quality of service we offer to everyone, whether they are purchasing products or services from us (external customers) or working on the same team as us (internal customers). However, over the last few years, I’ve seen many cases where internal and external customers have quoted this phrase to bend the truth a bit or break a rule. Here are three situations where the idea of,  “the customer is always right,” is wrong.

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Engineers Can Provide Stellar Client Service

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This is a guest blog by Tiffani Teachey

Provide Stellar Client ServiceStellar client service is the key to retaining clients. As an engineer, one might not think client service would be in an engineer’s wheelhouse, but it’s often one of the most effective ways to retain clients. Stellar client service is the key to your business and company’s success. It is a way to provide a competitive edge in the industry and help grow one’s company. The benefits of stellar client service outweigh the costs, as they will gain loyal customers who will come back for more! Below are three ways engineers can use their skill set and knowledge base to provide stellar client service:

Solving the Client’s Problems and Providing Solutions

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TSEC 61: How to Choose the Right Structural Framing System for a Building

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Structural Framing SystemIn this episode, we talk to Jim Amundson, P.E., SE, Vice President, and Principal at Coffman Engineers, about important aspects you need to know about when selecting the appropriate structural framing system for a building.

Engineering Quotes:

Structural Framing System

Structural Framing System

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Jim:

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