JANUARY 9, 2019
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
4:00 - 5:00 PM (1.0 PDH) The Complete Expert Witness: More Than the Report
5:30 - 6:30 PM (1.0 PDH) Geoforensic Investigation of a Storage Dome Collapse at a Plant in Louisiana


LOCATION
Hess Club
5430 Westheimer
Houston, Texas 77056
713-627-2283
(Business casual dress code)

Your reservations are appreciated.  Please click below on one of the scheduled times to make your reservation(s) online. If you are unable to register online, please contact Vicky Bonds at Geotech Engineering and Testing, Tel: 713-699-4000 at least 24 hours before the meeting.

Continuing Education Certificates will be provided at the end of the meeting(s) for attendees that are current members and who have preregistered. However for Ethics Workshops, nonmembers who have preregistered will also be given Continuing Education Certificates at the close of the workshop provided a payment of $25 is received (pay at the door, check or cash please).

This technical program is complimentary to you thanks in part to our Room Sponsors:

WORKSHOP
4:00 - 5:00 PM (1.0 PDH)

Title : The Complete Expert Witness: More Than the Report

Speaker : Judge Michael Landrum Harris County Judge for 113th Civil District Court

Abstract : Expertise is critical to the resolution of virtually every construction related dispute, because the most determinative issues almost always involve technical matters relating to design, construction and failure. These are matters outside the understanding of lay people, such as jurors, who are often charged with deciding the matters in controversy. Our dispute resolution system permits the submission of testimony from those who, by education, training and/or experience, have gained special knowledge about a given subject to guide the fact finder in understanding things in dispute which are beyond the general knowledge or understanding of most people. These expert witnesses are authorized to express opinions based on their analysis of information furnished to them; they need not have personally observed the events or conditions in issue. The outcome of a contested case often depends on the effective presentation of expert testimony. But that is not all, many cases are settled short of litigation in reliance on an experts work. To best serve in a case requiring expert analysis and possible testimony, it is important that an expert witness work well with the party and its attorney. Often, that requires more than expertise and a well written expert report. The expert should be a fully engaged member of the clients team in all phases of a case, from initial investigation through final resolution.

Michael Landrum is a mediator and arbitrator practicing in Houston. He is the former Judge of the 113th Civil District Court, in Harris County. He served as judge from the date of his appointment by Governor Rick Perry in May, 2013 until December 31, 2018. Michael is a native Houstonian. He grew up in the Spring Branch area and attended Memorial High School. He received his B.A. from The University of St. Thomas and a law degree from the University of Texas. Michael Landrum holds specialist certifications in the fields of Civil Trial Law and Civil Appellate Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Before being sworn in as judge, Landrum practiced law for 36 years. He dedicated his legal career to representing businesses and business people in matters involving a wide variety of transactional, litigation and appellate matters. Of interest to The Foundation Performance Association is that, before taking the bench, Michael Landrum represented parties in construction related litigation: Owners, Architects, General Contractors, Engineers, and Sub-Contractors of all kinds. For more than 25 years, he has been a member of the American Arbitration Association Construction and Commercial case Arbitrator Panels. In that capacity, he has rendered final awards in more than 250 cases. In addition to his usual professional practice, Landrum teaches a class about American courts at Houston Baptist University, serves as judicial liaison to the Houston Young Lawyers Association, lectures in continuing legal education programs, judges student mock trial and moot court competitions, and is active in Houston Bar Association activities.

PRESENTATION
5:30 - 6:30 PM (1.0 PDH)

Title : Geoforensic Investigation of a Storage Dome Collapse at a Plant in Louisiana

Speaker : Mr. David A. Eastwood, P.E., D.GE, DFE, C.A.P.M., F.ASCE and Harry M. Nguyen, Ph.D. Geotech Engineering and Testing

Abstract : The paper presents the Geoforensic evaluation of a dome failure north of the Mississippi River bank. The plant consisted of three iron ore storage domes, 248-ft diameter and 124-ft height. Each dome was designed to store of about 230,000-ton iron ore. After construction completed in 2013, an iron ore surcharge load exceeding the design load, was placed on the subsoils. This resulted in failure of the dome. The settlement measured prior to failure of dome was about 2.5 ft. An investigation of causation of the dome collapse was performed. This study indicated that the surficial loading exceeded the subsoil bearing capacity, where the presence of organic soils was relatively significant, resulting in failure. Costs to remedy the collapsed and damaged areas are estimated to about US$90 million. The paper presents the background information, details of soil foundation failure, results of stability analysis and the solutions recommended for the remedial construction.

David A. Eastwood, P.E., D.GE, DFE, C.A.P.M., F.ASCE and Harry M. Nguyen, Ph.D. presenting.

Dr. Eastwood is the President of DAE & Associates, Ltd, dba Geotech Engineering and Testing (GET). He has practiced consulting engineering for about 42 years, serving in key technical project management and administrative roles. His specialties are in geotechnical, environmental, materials and geoforensic engineering. Mr. Eastwoods experience in these functions includes a wide range of project types, ranging from public infrastructure, public works, municipal work, industrial facilities, commercial developments to waste disposal facilities, power plants, dams, marine terminals and underground storage tank contamination studies. Mr. Eastwood has the ability to provide clients with cost effective alternatives to difficult problems. One of Mr. Eastwood's greatest attributes is his ability to contribute constructively, responsively, and professionally as a member of the client's project design team.

Dr. Nguyen is a project manager at DAE & Associates, Ltd, dba Geotech Engineering and Testing (GET) with the responsibility for the daily operations of geotechnical explorations, data analyses and the preparation of report recommendations. He has several years of experience in fields of geotechnical, environmental, materials and forensic engineering. His experience is in public infrastructure, including water, wastewater, roads, bridges, freeways, retaining walls, embankments, commercial and high-rise buildings, rail, parks, underground utilities, airports, ports, flood control channel, and subdivisions. He has experience in design of industrial plants, hydropower, ports, structures, buildings, various foundations, piles, seepage analysis, slope stability, retaining walls, triaxial testing, consolidation testing, groundwater and contamination modeling.