The 2012 MATHCOUNTS Missouri Western Chapter competition is quickly approaching and we are in need of volunteers to help the day run as smooth as possible.  For those of you that are not familiar with MATHCOUNTS, it is a competition for 6^th-8^th grade students giving them an opportunity and incentive to test and showcase their math skills (for more information, visit www.mathcounts.org).  This year’s local competition includes 10 schools and a total of 100 students! 

Environmental and Water Resources Institute of Kansas City Joint Meeting with Kansas City Section ASCE

Date:  Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Location:   Plaza III Steak House

                  4749 Pennsylvania   Kansas City, MO    64112

                  816-753-0000

Time:  11:30 a.m. Social

           12:00 p.m. Lunch

           12:30 p.m. Presentation

Meal:      Steak, Salmon or Chicken, (Vegetable is Chefs Choice)

Cost:       $35.00 per person (For Students and Engineers between jobs, $17.50). Please make checks payable to ASCE.

RSVP to:  Tom Simmons at thomas.m.simmons@usace.army.mil  by Tuesday, January 3, 2012. Seating is limited to 100 so please RSVP soon to reserve your place.

TOPIC: “2011 Missouri River Flood and Silver Jackets”

Speakers:    Brian Rast, Project Manager and Planner, US Army Corps of

Engineers, Kansas City District

For additional announcements and more information about KC EWRI visit:

http://www.kcengineers.org/ewrikc/ewrikc.html

Topic – 2011 Missouri River Flood and Silver Jackets”

“Come see aerial photos of the 2011 flood on the Missouri River and learn how flood forecast inundation maps are becoming the Information Age’s tool for risk informed decision making.”

Speaker:    Brian Rast, P.E CFM, PMP

Mr. Rast has been a project manager and planner in the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Kansas City District, Planning Branch, since 2004.  He has worked as a hydraulic engineer and civil site development, since 1993.  He received a BS in Civil Engineering with a secondary major in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from Kansas State University in 1994.  In 2004 he earned his MS in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas.  He completed advanced training from the Institute for Water Resources’ Planning Associates Program in 2007.  He is a Professional Engineer in Kansas.  He is a Certified Floodplain Manager and a Project Management Professional.  He manages Civil Works water resource projects in flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, emergency streambank stabilization, and watershed planning.  As a Silver Jackets coordinator for the Institute for Water Resources, he is involved with state-level hazard mitigation in Kansas & Missouri, and under this program, he is conducting the Wildcat Creek Silver Jackets pilot project, which includes flood forecast inundation mapping with a partnership with other state and federal agencies. 

 Also, Please take a moment now to update your Outlook Calendars with the upcoming meeting date: EWRI Luncheon Meeting – March 7, 2012. Topic to be announced

Attention all potential volunteers:

The FIRST Lego League tournament needs volunteer judges for the FLL Qualifier Tournaments to be held on December 3 (Kearney Jr. High) and December 10th (Bingham Middle School, Independence, Mo). The championship event is held at Union Station on January 14th.  Visit http://www.firstlegoleague.org/ for more information about FLL.

The judges work in pairs to judge projects, core values and robot design. Training in using the scoring rubrics will be held on Wednesday, November 30th at Time Warner Cable, 6550 Winchester, KCMO, from 7-8:00 pm. (If needed, a separate training may be scheduled.)

If you are interested, contact Cindy Howard, FLL volunteer coordinator, at cindy@crhowardarchitect.com.

Bring a Harvester’s donation and you could win a prize!  (details below)

Learn how to receive a free drink and appetizers at the next Younger Members Meeting (details below)

Date: Tuesday December 13^th, 2011

Location: Lidia’s Italy
                       101 W. 22nd St.
                       Kansas City, MO 64112

Time:  11:30 am to 12:00 pm – Registration / Social
                12:00 pm to 12:30 pm – Meal
                 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm – Presentation

Menu:  
Insalata Cesare alla Lidia - Lidia’s own version of the American-born, Italian-named Caesar Salad, made with tender hearts of Romaine tossed in a mild dressing seasoned with mustard, a touch of anchovy, imported Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and crispy croutons

Pasta Tasting Trio - An endless sampling of three daily-made fresh and filled pastas, the selections change according to the season and the fresh market offerings. Lidia’s signature dish!

Pollo alla Limone e Olive - A classic dish of pan seared chicken breasts, paired with a sauce of roasted lemons, capers, and Sicilian olives, over a saute of seasoned spinach

Biscotti Platters - Fresh from our bakery, an assortment of house-made cookies & sweets

Cost: $35

RSVP:  RSVP to John Dowell at jdowell@burnsmcd.com or 816-823-7176 By Noon December 9th

Speaker: Matt Spencer, HNTB

Presentation Overview: Mr. Spencer is a Project Engineer/Squad Leader in the transportation section in the Kansas City office.  Prior to joining HNTB in 2005 he was a Field Engineer at a Kiewit Southern Corporation.  His experience includes interstate design, roadway design, rail design, construction, utility-relocation coordination, drainage design, and many other aspects of transportation design.  He is responsible for working with project managers to complete a variety of projects for the HNTB transportation section and other HNTB sections.

Mr Spencer will be discussing the topic of Diverging Diamond Interchanges.  The DDI (also referred to as a double crossover diamond) is a unique new interchange type that has recently been implemented to help ease interchange congestion.  A DDI reduces the total conflict points from 30 in a traditional diamond to only 18. It moves traffic faster, reduces congestion, and increases safety.

ASCE and ASCE Younger Members are teaming up with Harvesters — The Community Food Network, to sponsor a food drive at the ASCE December lunch. Donations received through the drive will help Harvesters’ network feed those in need throughout Kansas City.

It’s sometimes difficult to believe that hunger exists in Kansas City. Most people think of hunger in terms of famine and mass starvation — terrible tragedies, but not something that affects people every day in our own community.

Hunger in our community is often more subtle. It’s a child who stuffs his pockets during lunch at school so he has food to eat at home in the evening. It’s a parent who is—ironically—overweight, because sugar and carbohydrate-laden foods are often the least expensive at the local store. It’s a senior citizen who goes without food in order to buy medicine, further jeopardizing her already fragile health.

The reality is that there are hungry people in Kansas City. Harvesters’ agencies provide assistance to nearly 60,000 people every week. And fully half of those are children and the elderly.

A contribution on December 13 means much needed help, and hope, will be available to those who need it. Please bring a few items to our luncheon.  Your generosity makes a difference.

Attendees that bring 3 nonperishable items will be entered into a drawing for a gift card.  Attendees that bring 6 or more items will be entered into the drawing twice. 

Your donation makes a difference! (No Glass Please!)

Most Needed Food Items
Canned Vegetables
Canned Fruit
Boxed Meals (Hamburger Helper, Pasta Roni)
Canned Meats/Tuna
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Canned Soup
Hot & Cold Cereal

Most Needed Household Supplies/Personal Care Items
Soap
Deodorant
Shampoo
Toilet Paper

ASCE Younger Members Group Meeting
Tuesday December 13th @ 6 PM
The Cashew Bar
Bring/Donate a toy and receive a drink and appetizers for free!  All donations go to Toys For Tots

Questions? Contact Kyle Dieckmann at kyle.dieckmann@IBHC.com

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
KANSAS CITY SECTION, GEOTECHNICAL COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011

PLACE:       UMKC , Room 402 New Student Union,  50^th and Cherry, KCMO

PARKING: Metered Lots are available (SEE ATTACHEDMAP).

TIME: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.     – Social / hors d’oeuvres – beverages
                 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.     – Presentation

COST: $10.00, $3.00 – for students

RESERVATIONS:     Contact Mike Schmidt w/ TSi, at mschmitz@tsi-engineering.com or 913-749-4010 by Monday, December 5th, 2011.  (Should you want to come and forget to confirm, please come anyway)

PROGRAM:         Landslides and the Development of Hazard Maps for Northeast Kansas

In 1997, the Kansas Geological Survey began an effort to map the landslide hazards of northeastern Kansas.  The pilot area was Atchison, because of the steep bluffs along the Missouri River.  For the Atchison pilot project, aerial photographs of several dates were combined with the data from the civil engineer’s office, and a field reconnaissance to produce a map of landslide features.  The map included recent landslides and slope areas that have features related to dormant landslides.  This data was digitized, along with a geologic map of the pilot area, and a digital elevation model (DEM).  The DEM was used to produce maps of the slope angle and slope aspect.  The next step was to produce quantitative landslide susceptibility map (landslide hazard map).  Because of the size of the area (two 7½ minute quadrangles) and a lack of knowledge of the distribution of soil properties, deterministic approaches based on soils mechanics could not be used in this area.  Thus, a probabilistic approach was used.  Although many researchers in this field use large numbers of data sets, the KGS approach selected datasets based on the key elements of the deterministic approach: material properties and slope angle.  Geologic data was used as a substitute for material properties that were not available.  The regression equation was solved using a statistical package producing an equation that could be used to determine the landslide hazard probability for each cell in the raster.  The pilot project produced four products: a new geologic map, a map showing the landslide features, landslide hazard map, and a report on the landslides.  Landslide feature and landslide hazard maps were produced for several other areas including the City of Leavenworth.

Eligible for 1.0 Professional Development Hour (PDH) for attending     

UMKC Campus Map

NOTICE OF TECHNICAL PRESENTATION December 8

The Mid-West Concrete Industry Board will conduct the 46th Annual Basic Course In Concrete Technology on January 4, 5, and 6, 2012 at the University of Missouri Kansas City, Royall Hall, on 52nd ST. between Rockhill Rd. and Charlotte. Meet on 1st floor, Stack Auditorium. Parking in 4 level garage, 52nd and Charlotte, entrance on Charlotte. For more details see link.

MCIBconference

The 14^th Annual Concrete Streets and Local Roads Seminar will be held on Tuesday, November 8,2011 at the Ritz Charles Conference Center in Overland Park, KS.  This one day seminar will focus on designing and constructing streets and parking lots using concrete.  Concrete topics include Environmentally responsible design and construction, Roller Compacted Concrete, Project case studies using Pervious Concrete and Decorative Concrete, Curb & Gutter, Flowable Fill, Back to the Basics, Designing with APWA specifications, and an update from the KCMMB.  Contact Cindy Allen at 913-381-2251 (cindy@moksacpa.com) or visit www.moksacpa.com for additional information.  Continuing Education Certificates will be provided:  6.0 PDH’s for Engineers, 6.0 AIA-HSW Credits for Architects, and 4.0 Hrs for Contractor Licensing.  Please see mailer and flyer below for more details

 Local Roads 2011 Mailer

Flyer

Kansas City ASCE October 2011 Meeting
 
Date: Tuesday October 11^th, 2011
 
Location: Plaza III Steakhouse
    4749 Pennsylvania Ave
                Kansas City, MO 64112
 
Time:  11:30 am to 12:00 pm – Registration / Social
            12:00 pm to 12:30 pm – Meal
            12:30 pm to 1:30 pm – Presentation
 
Menu: 6 oz Filet Mignon OR
           6 oz Double Breast of Chicken OR
           6 oz Grilled Atlantic Salmon
 
Herb Roasted Red Potatoes
Green Beans w/Red Pepper & Onion
Cheesecake w/Strawberry Sauce
 
Cost: $30
 
RSVP:  RSVP to Charlotte Lewin by noon on October 7^th by emailing clewin@burnsmcd.com or calling 816-333-9400 x2379  (STATE MENU CHOICE W/RSVP)
 
Speaker: Neal J. Angrisano, AIA, Associate, Burns & McDonnell
 
Presentation Overview:
Global visitor attraction operator, Merlin Entertainments (Merlin), has announced that it has reached agreement with Crown Center Redevelopment Corp., a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., to develop plans for a $15 million SEA LIFE aquarium attraction to open in Kansas City during Spring 2012. This new attraction will occupy the first floor of Crown Center’s Halls department store, as well as a portion of the second floor.

Date: Tuesday September 13, 2011

Location: UMKC Flarsheim Hall Room 560L
                5110 Rockhill Road
                Kansas City, MO 64110

Time:  4:00 pm to 5:00 pm  – ASCE Board Meeting
            5:00 pm to 5:30 pm – Registration / Social
            5:30 pm to 6:00 pm – Meal
            6:00 pm to 7:00 pm – Presentation

Menu: Jack Stack BBQ

Cost: $20 Members, Free for Students

RSVP:  RSVP to John Dowell by noon on September 12^th by emailing jdowell@burnsmcd.com or calling 816-823-7176

Speaker and Program: “Challenges in Developing a 7,000 Acre Solar Field”  By  Mr. Omar Olivaries P.E. – Project Manager, Kiewit Power Engineers

Presentation Overview:

Technical and permitting challenges to develop the Blythe Solar Power Project, a 1000 MW/7,000 acre concentrated solar power facility in Southern California.

The Blythe Solar Power Project (BSPP) is a four- unit solar power plant to be sited in eastern Riverside County, California. The BSPP will utilize parabolic-trough, concentrating solar thermal technology paired with Siemens steam turbine generators to produce 250 MW per unit, for a total plant capacity of 1,000 MW. 

In partnership with Solar Millennium LLC and AECOM, Kiewit has helped prepare the preliminary engineering and permitting support for this massive solar project.

“Construction managers are the singular key individuals that lead project teams to success.  Through pre-emptive leadership, construction risks and issues are mitigated or overcome to deliver projects within cost, on time, and of the highest quality.”

KEYNOTE Speaker Jim Rispoli, P.E., F.ASCE, President of Project Time & Cost and former Assistant Secretary of Energy will present unique project examples that explore leadership techniques that led to project success.

ASCE/CI and Washington University are teaming up to present the 1st Annual CI Construction Summit – a multi-track construction engineering specialty conference for industry leaders, dedicated to in-depth discussions and providing practical solutions to the new rules and requirements of contracting and project delivery success.

Conference Sessions Include:

• Pre-Conference Workshop on Fall Protection – covering the new ANSI/ASSE A.10 Standard on Fall Protection – October 12, 2011
  • Claims Avoidance and Resolution – Delays and claims are unavoidable. Learn to effectively deal with them and solve disputes.
  • Construction Safety – Safety is paramount to any construction project.  Industry experts discuss construction safety best practices and prevention through design
  • Underground Construction Technology and Utility Mapping Standards  – New technologies and standards increase accuracy and precision and reduce damage. 
  • Contract Documents – Public contracting, design/build, PPPs, and the keys to contracting success
  • Quality Management – QM Body of Knowledge, Special Inspection Responsibilities, Managing the Quality of Digital Design Information
  • Environmental Concerns and Regulations – Case Study: The Maryland Inter-County Connector – a world class environmental plan – exceeding the owner’s requirements through innovation and world class mitigation solutions

Questions?  Please contact Erin Santiago or (703) 295-6076.