Topic: Valravn - Building a World Record Breaking Roller Coaster

(Online registration and payment available, see bottom of page.)

Keynote Speaker: Rob Decker
Rob Decker is the Senior Vice President of Planning & Design for the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.

Mr. Decker will uncover a behind the scenes look at what it takes to design and build the world's TALLEST, FASTEST & LONGEST dive coaster!

Time
11:15 AM – Registration
12:00 PM – Program
1:30 PM – Closing Remarks

• Offered for free to Central Ohio Section ASCE Members
• Seating is limited to the first 25 people
• Bring your own lunch

Purpose and Background
Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are very thin layers of bentonite sandwiched between two geotextiles and then needle-punched or stitch-bonded together to form a barrier to liquids and gases. They first appeared in 1986 to absorb leakage through overlying geomembranes in landfill liner systems. Currently, they are being used for both liner and cover systems in myriad environmental, transportation, hydraulic and private development applications. There are approximately twenty manufacturers and the worldwide annual usage is about 150 million square meters. That said, the acceptance and use of GCL's by geotechnical engineers has not progressed nearly as rapidly as it has with other geosynthetic materials like geomembranes, geogrids, etc. Perhaps the main reasons are that compacted clay liners (CCLs) are deeply entrenched in the academic backgrounds of geotechs and also subsequent field experience over the years. This is reflected in current environmental regulations, few of which allow for GCLs to replace or even augment CCLs. This webinar presents the most relevant topics/aspects involving GCLs, including cases of inadequacies in the areas of shear strength and hydraulic conductivity. The webinar also covers the most current GCL testing protocols. In that light, the webinar offers a point-and-counterpoint of GCLs vs. CCLs in both liners and covers. It describes a generic specification with not only suggested limiting test values but also recommendations on quality control and quality assurance.

• Offered for free to Central Ohio Section ASCE Members
• Seating is limited to the first 25 people
• Bring your own lunch

Purpose and Background
HEC-RAS V5.0 has the ability to model runoff in a 2D environment coupled with traditional 1D modeling. There is also the ability to apply precipitation to the 2D surface, as well as external hydrographs and other boundary conditions to the 2D surface. This ability allows the modeler to fully capture the nature of the runoff event flow patterns and depths.

Visualization of the hydraulic results is extremely useful in estimating flooding extents, determining key causes of flooding and developing mitigation strategies. The 2D component allows the modeler to fully account for overbank storage volume plus the diversion and return of the overbank flow to the channel. Visual depictions of the floodwave assist with presentation to the public, clients and for reports and submittals.

This webinar focuses on a more in-depth look at the use of HEC-RAS 5.0 1D/2D coupling ability. The webinar discusses briefly the use of RAS Mapper in the development of the 2D model, preparing and importing composite surfaces to include “proposed” conditions in the modeling, with an emphasis on the coupling of the 1D and 2D portions of the model in RAS 5.0. Participants who wish to attend this webinar must be well-versed in using previous software versions of unsteady HEC-RAS and GIS software.

RSVP to Mark.Seidelmann@stantec.com by Wednesday, February 10, 2016.

Happy New Year!! What better way to start the New Year than with an ASCE Younger Members Group Happy Hour.

This month’s happy hour will be at Wolfs Ridge brewing http://www.wolfsridgebrewing.com/ on Thursday January 28th at 6:00 pm.

Topics of discussion will include; a recap of the ASCE section meeting, STEM expo update, and OSU CAD classes update. Even if none of those interest you, come have a drink (or two) on ASCE.

Based on the popularity of our last Blue Jackets outing, we are planning a group outing to the Blue Jackets-Flames game. Tickets are $10 per member and $15 per guests. We're accepting pre-payment using PayPal. As these tickets usually sell for $50 face value, it's a great deal.

Before the game, we’ll have a social put on by the Younger Members group at Brother’s, so even if you don’t want to go to the hockey game, please come out for drinks, food and fellowship!

Topic: ODOT 2015 Accomplishments and 2016 Initiatives

(Online registration and payment available, see bottom of page.)

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Assistant Director of Transportation Policy and Chief Engineer will speak to the American Society of Civil Engineers on the department’s accomplishments in 2015 and what ODOT’s stakeholders can expect for 2016. Topics will include an update on ODOT’s current initiatives including the Ohio Bridge Partnership Program and ODOT’s new Asset Management Strategies as well as the impacts of the new federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (the FAST Act) on ODOT’s future programs.

Topic: Autonomous Vehicle Operation

(Online registration and payment available, see bottom of page.)

This presentation will discuss the recent developments, ongoing trends, and future implications of automated/connected heavy duty vehicles. Various factors driving the development of vehicle automation will be discussed, including safety and efficiency. Different levels of automation, possible technologies, and an overview of cost versus benefits will be outlined. The talk will include research and implementation examples from around the world, and comparisons with corresponding automation technologies in passenger vehicles will be used to emphasize the importance of automated fleet/commercial traffic.