The January, 2012 dinner meeting will feature Brett Gitskin and Bob Lukas who will discuss various aspects of geotechnical engineering.  Mr. Lukas’ presentation, on geotechnical lessons learned, will feature a major project on the west side of Chicago’s Loop where a deep basement excavation caused an internal slope failure.  This resulted in displacement of previously driven bearing piles plus movements in the bracing system that was installed at the property lines adjacent to the streets.  The reasons for the failure and the corrective action will be discussed along with the lessons learned.

Mr. Gitskin’s presentation will acquaint engineers with aspects of in-situ testing including both pressuremeter testing and shear wave velocity testing for seismic design considerations from a geotechnical standpoint.  There will be a discussion about how this in-situ data can be used on both new construction and renovations/additions to existing structures to allow for an increase in loads on existing foundations, with little to no risk regarding the foundation performance.  The presentation will also discuss why seismic forces impact structural design in the Chicago area to a much greater extent than they did in the past, especially how it relates to the new IBC seismic design code.  Engineers will learn about a structure’s Seismic Design Category and how it is determined.  There will also be an overview of shear wave velocity testing, an innovative way to test soils that can help improve the seismic design category for a structure which could result in substantial savings in the framing costs.  Case histories will be presented showing substantial cost savings to real life projects.  This program is well-suited to provide useful information to structural engineers at a wide variety of professional experience levels and can help show ways to incorporate in-situ testing into the design of future projects.

Robert G. Lukas is a Principal with Ground Engineering Consultants, Inc. He is a professional engineer in five states.  He received his MSCE and BSCE from Northwestern University.  An instructor with the SEAOI SE Review Course, his professional activities also include involvement with ASCE’s Committee on Foundation and Excavation Standards and the American Society of Testing and Materials, Committee D-18.

Brett Gitskin, PE, is President of ECS Midwest, LLC and a member of the Board of Directors for the parent company Engineering Consulting Services, Ltd.  He has a BS in Civil Engineering and an MS in Geotechnical Engineering, both from Northwestern University.  He is a licensed professional engineer in 13 states and has 27 years’ experience in geotechnical, environmental and materials engineering.  Mr. Gitskin is also an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science.

(Advance reservations required) Contact Donna Childs at 312.726.4165 x200 or office@seaoi.org