THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2023
11:15 am Social / 11:45 am Lunch / 12:00 pm Program
Maggiano's Little Italy, Memorial City Mall, 602 Memorial City Mall, Houston TX 77024
Tel: 713 461 0692
Topic:
Geoforensic Evaluation of City of Sugar Land Police Station/Court Building
(1 PDH)
Presenter:
David A. Eastwood, P.E., D.GE, DFE, BC.GE, C.A.P.M, F.PTI, F.FPA, F. ASCE
President, Geotech Engineering and Testing (GET)
Abstract:
The Sugar Land Police Department/Court Building, located at 1200 Highway 6 South in Sugar Land, Texas has experienced foundation and structural movements. These movements have resulted in cracks and separations in the wall, sheetrock, tiles, and floor slabs. The existing building consists of a two-story building with a steel frame and brick veneer structure. The main structure was built in 1996. The wings were added in 2004. The building is supported by a spread footing-type foundation in highly expansive soils.
The purpose of our study was to (a) identify the causes of foundation movements and (b) recommend repair techniques that would reduce future movement and cracking of the structure. These objectives were met by (1) conducting site visits, (2) performing a geotechnical study, (3) conducting laboratory testing, (4) reviewing existing data and reports by others and (5) analyzing the data to develop engineering recommendations.
The causes of the foundation distress for the subject building could be attributed to (a) inappropriate design, (b) improper construction, (c) using wrong fill materials, (d) negative drainage around the building, and (e) the presence of large trees in close proximity to the building. It should be noted that the foundation system for the building has not technically failed. However, we anticipate potential foundation movement due to the deficiencies stated above.
Bio:
David Eastwood is the Past President of the Houston Chapter of the Texas Council for Engineering Laboratories. Mr. Eastwood is the founder and past president of the Foundation Performance Association, an organization specializing in foundation failure evaluation. He is a fellow at the Foundation Performance Association (F.FPA) and the Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI). He has been certified as a Corrective Action Project Manager with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
In addition, Mr. Eastwood is the past President of the Academy of Distinguished Civil & Environmental Engineers at the University of Houston, Cullen College of Engineering. He is also a 2017 Member of Distinguished Alumni of the College of Engineering at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering. He has been accepted by an Academy of Geo-Professionals (AGP) as a Diplomate, Geotechnical Engineer Fellow Member. He is also a Board-Certified Geotechnical Engineer (BC.GE). He has been accepted as an American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Fellows Member. He is also a Diplomate in Forensic Engineering (DFE) and by Member of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE).
Mr. Eastwood has practiced consulting engineering for about 47 years, serving in key technical project management and administrative roles. His specialties are in geotechnical, environmental, materials, and Geo forensic engineering. His experience in these functions includes a wide range of project types, ranging from commercial development, residential development, public infrastructure, municipal work, industrial facilities, transportation facilities, ports, etc. He conducts training in geotechnical, environmental, materials, and Geo forensic engineering for many agencies and associations.
REGISTRATION NOTES:
Please register by 12 p.m. (Noon) the day before the meeting.
If you wish to pre-pay using PayPal, please register first and then visit Houston Chapter Payments, select the appropriate option, and click "Buy Now".
We also accept in-person payments at the meeting.
Registering is strongly recommended. Space permitting, in-person registration with payment the day of the event is allowed.
Special note for SEI members: Please register for free with SEAoT as an RSVP, and register and pay through SEI.
