Engineering Management Institute

TGEP - The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast

TGEP 67: How to Truly Create Value as a Geotechnical Engineer

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Create ValueIn this episode, we talk to Kord Wissmann, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, M.ASCE,  the president of Geopier Foundations who has had a tremendous impact in the engineering industry, about how he believes geotechnical engineers can and should create value in the industry.

Engineering Quotes:

Create Value

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Kord:

  • How has having a Ph.D. helped you in your engineering career?
  • Why do you think it is important to not only share your successes but also your failures as an engineering leader?
  • In a talk you gave at the GEO-PIT in Philadelphia in 2019, called GeoTransformation: Getting It All Back Again, you said: “To battle the forces of commoditization, one must provide services that are differentiated.” What did you mean by that, and how does it relate to geotechnical engineering?
  • You are involved in various associations and committees. How has that experience helped grow your engineering career?
  • What technical skills do you think geotechnical engineers should master to create value for the industry?
  • What do you think the future holds for the geotechnical industry?
  • What final piece of advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers out there?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Truly Create Value as a Geotechnical Engineer:

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TGEP 066: How Seismic Hazards Affect Our Community and Infrastructure

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Seismic HazardsIn this episode, we talk to Chukwuebuka Nweke, Ph.D, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Southern California, about seismic hazards and the impact of earthquakes on our infrastructure.

Engineering Quotes:

Seismic Hazards

Seismic Hazards

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Chukwuebuka:

  • What made you make the transition from consultant to professor in your engineering career?
  • What types of seismic hazards have you investigated and how do you measure seismic risk?
  • What is a seismic site response?
  • What is the impact of earthquakes on infrastructure?
  • Why is evaluating the seismic hazards damage of urban road infrastructure systems important?
  • How has your involvement in various associations and committees helped grow your engineering career?
  • What advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers out there?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Seismic Hazards Affect Our Community and Infrastructure:

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TGEP 65: The Difference Between Engineering Geology and Geotechnics

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engineering geologyIn this episode, we talk to Vatsal Shah, P.E., Ph.D., D.GE, the Principal Engineer at ANS Geo, Inc, about the difference between engineering geology and geotechnics and how it differs from traditional engineering geology.

Engineering Quotes:

engineering geology

engineering geology

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Vatsal:

  • How did you decide to become an engineer and what led you to geotechnics?
  • Was it important to you to be a “jack-of-all-trades” or a “master of one”?
  • Why is being a Diplomat (D.GE) important to you?
  • What is the difference between engineering geology and geotechnics?
  • How does geotechnics in renewable energy differ from traditional geotechnics?
  • What is it like completing geotechnical investigations for sites that are several thousand acres large?
  • Does traditional geotechnical education allow emerging geotechnical engineers to be ready for a career that supports renewable energy?
  • What drives you to be active in all your different career paths?
  • What advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers out there?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About The Difference Between Engineering Geology and Geotechnics:

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TGEP 64: How to Make Geotechnical Software More Readable and Usable in the Future

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Geotechnical SoftwareIn this episode, we talk to Louis Aaron, a senior at Princeton working on a geotechnical software program to help geotechnical engineers record soil data in the field and why he thinks it will be the future of geotechnical engineering.

Engineering Quotes:

Geotechnical Software

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Aaron:

  • How did your interest in the geotechnical field started?
  • As someone whose academic focus is on data and data analysis, what was it about the geotechnical engineering industry that caught your attention during your time at your internship?
  • Since returning to school to finish your degree, you started building a product to solve some of these problems. Can you give us a sense of what that solution looks like, and tell us why you think it doesn’t exist yet?
  • Why do you believe this class of software is the future of geotechnical engineering, and what does it mean for engineers’ careers today?
  • Where are you with your solution now, and how can people get involved?
  • What advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers out there?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Make Geotechnical Software More Readable and Usable in the Future:

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TGEP 63: Keys to Success in Managing Successful Tunneling Projects

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tunneling projectsIn this episode, we talk to Conrad W. Felice, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., P.Eng, D.GE., F.ASCE, the Managing Principal at C. W. Felice, LLC as well as the Adjunct Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Florida, about soft ground tunneling projects and his experience working with design-build projects and industry associations.

Engineering Quotes:

tunneling projects

tunneling projects

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Conrad:

  • What does the committee of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) do, and how it is helping the tunneling industry?
  • How does a tunnel built in soft ground — such as clay, silt, sand, gravel, or mud — compares to hard rock?
  • What are some of the factors to consider when selecting the most appropriate method for a particular tunnel?
  • When working on tunneling projects, how do you maintain product documentation?
  • How has reading contracts properly helped you in your tunneling projects?
  • Why would you say it is important to take risks in your career?
  • Can you talk to us about your participation in industry associations and professional development, and how it has benefited your engineering career?
  • What final piece of advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers out there?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Keys to Success in Managing Successful Tunneling Projects:

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TGEP 62: Guidelines for Improved Risk Management in Tunneling

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project deliveryIn this episode, we talk to Elizabeth Dwyre, PE, D.GE, a Senior Technical Principal with WSP USA, who shares her recipe for success for building a successful project delivery team.

Engineering Quotes:

project delivery

project delivery

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Elizabeth:

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TGEP 61: The Development of a New ASCE Standard for the Design of Foundations

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Design of FoundationsIn this episode, we talk to Scott J. DiFiore, P.E., P.Eng. (AB), D.GE, Principal at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc., about the development of the new ASCE Standard for the design of foundations for buildings and other structures.

Engineering Quotes:

Design of Foundations

Design of Foundations

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Scott:

  • Can you please tell our listeners a bit more about yourself, and what you do daily at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.?
  • You chair the committee for essentially all things geotech, from shallow/deep foundations and ground improvement to seismic and special inspection considerations, just to name a few. How does your involvement with these committees benefit your engineering career?
  • How do you make sure you are getting all the right people to the table for this new standard?
  • Do you know what the milestones are going to be and is there an anticipated release date?
  • What prompted the decision to make a new standard for the design of foundations?
  • Compared to ASCE7, is making the new standard a bigger job?
  • How often do the 60 committee members meet?
  • What is the range of experience needed for people who want to join in on making the new standard?
  • Do you see other benefits of this project in terms of other civil disciplines working together in the future?
  • What final advice would you like to give to geotechnical engineers out there?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Development of a New ASCE Standard for the Design of Foundations:

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TGEP 60: Guidelines for Improved Risk Management in Tunneling

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Risk Management in TunnelingIn this episode, we talk to Robert (Bob) Goodfellow, P.E., the President of Aldea Services Inc., about risk management in tunneling and some of the things tunnel engineers can do to get the most out of risk management.

Engineering Quotes:

Risk Management in Tunneling

Risk Management in Tunneling

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Bob:

  • What does a tunneling engineer do?
  • What are some of the fundamentals/guidelines for tunneling risk management and how does the process work?
  • What are the major internal and external risks that affect the growth of the tunnel construction industry?
  • What are some of the things tunnel engineers can do to get the most out of risk management?
  • How does safety fit with risk management?
  • What are some of the benefits of managing risk properly in tunnel projects?
  • What do you think the future holds for the tunneling industry?
  • What advice would you like to give to tunneling engineers out there?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Guidelines for Improved Risk Management in Tunneling:

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TGEP 59: How Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers Can Benefit Your Engineering Career

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Next Generation of EngineersIn this episode, we talk to Karen Armfield, P.E., a geotechnical engineer and project manager with WSP USA, about the importance of inspiring the next generation of engineers and how it can benefit your engineering career.

Engineering Quotes:

Next Generation of Engineers

Next Generation of Engineers

Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Karen:

  • Why do you think it is important for engineers to inspire the next generation of engineers?
  • How are the ASCE MET Section middle school engineering mentoring program and Future City Competition program helping students and schools in underserved communities?
  • What does the intern program at AECOM entail and why do you think internships are so important for engineering students?
  • What are some of the training techniques you use when training junior staff?
  • How can being involved in ASCE or DFI help grow your engineering career?
  • What do you think the future holds for engineers?
  • What final advice would you like to give to our young engineers out there?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers: 

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TGEP 58: 5 Tips to Make the Most Out of Professional Associations (for Engineering Professionals)

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Professional AssociationsIn this episode, we provide you with five tips that you can use to make the most out of your involvement in professional associations. Whether you are building a business or a career, professional associations offer opportunities that can accelerate your success. But if you aren’t actively and effectively engaging in that organization, those opportunities can pass you by.

Engineering Quotes:

Professional Associations

Professional Associations

Here Are the Key Points Discussed About 5 Tips to Make the Most Out of Professional Associations:

1. Choose the Best Professional Associations to Join

Don’t just join an association for the sake of joining one. Think through all the professionals you work with — engineers, architects, real estate developers, etc. — and select associations that will allow you to connect with these types of professionals.

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