Matters Kansas State University Department of CivilCivil Engineering April 2012, Volume 10, Issue 1

Student’s Alumni Regional High-speed EWB trip 04 profiles 06 conference 09 rail 10 02 Civil Matters 2012 www.ce.ksu.edu 03 recognitions Table of contents From the department head Peggy Selvidge Recognizing excellence For more than 100 leadership; about a suc- When Rachel Spicer, group through various years, K-State civil cessful ASCE regional Shawnee, Kan., was activities, including cngineering has pro- student conference held 2011 retirement younger she frequently services as an officer, duced some of the most in Manhattan; about went on sailing cruises leading special events Peggy Selvidge successful engineers, the steel bridge team Peggy Selvidge retired in the Great Lakes with and interaction with retires after 40 public workers, entre- bringing in a number from her position as adminis- her grandma. The trips university administra- years of service preneurs and leaders in one regional ranking trative officer in fall 2011. She sparked an enduring tion. Spicer has served 03 the state of Kansas and once again; about Scott was hired by department head interest in bridges, in a multitude of roles the nation. Our stu- Wetzel (BSCE ’93) who Prof. Jack Blackburn (’63–‘72) dams and other large with the K-State ASCE dents have performed received a Professional in 1971. She notes, “I feel structures. Spicer, CE chapter including vice excellently in national Progress Award from privileged to have worked for senior, turned that in- president, 2011-2012 examinations such as the College of Engi- some awesome department terest into a passion and now has been steel bridge team captain and co-chair the FE, have received neering; about Natalie heads during my CE career.” recognized for her efforts. of the 2011 Mid-Continent Student Mid-Continent national awards and Mladenov, our newest Selvidge assisted various K- Spicer received the American So- Conference. Regional ASCE scholarships, and have competed with faculty member in the environmental State CE heads and interim ciety of Civil Engineers’ prestigious In addition to her involvement 09 Conference the best in the country at engineering area; about professors Mus- heads over 40 years including Student Leadership Award. The with ASCE, Spicer has served in a va- and steel bridge competitions. Members taque Hossain, Yacoub Najjar and Bob Pe- Prof. Bob Snell (’72–’92), Prof. nomination-based award is given in riety of roles with the K-State Colle- of our faculty have been recognized by terman who were honored with endowed Stu Swartz (’92–’00), Prof. recognition of leadership in a stu- gian, including copy and presentation the college and university for their out- professorships; about last year’s scholar- Lakshmi Reddi (’00–‘07), dent chapter or international student editor, and editor-in-chief. standing teaching and advising, by ASCE ship and award recipients; and about the Prof. Jim Koelliker (’07–’08), and other professional societies for their cutting-edge research and discovery hap- Prof. Yacoub Najjar (’08–’10), contributions to the profession, and by pening in our laboratories. and Prof. Alok Bhandari with family and traveling. She Urban Water industry and research agencies through I share your pride in K-State civil engi- (since ’10). has been to Arizona and San Institute at the awards of research and testing grants. It neering. If you happen to be in Manhat- The CE faculty and staff Francisco, and is looking for- Professional progress Olathe campus has indeed been a great pleasure to serve tan or in northeast Kansas, please drop have always been like Sel- ward to an Alaskan cruise in 12 another year as the head of this outstand- by. Our faculty, staff and students will be vidge’s extended family. She September. Scott Wetzel (BSCE’93, MSCE’95) received ing department and to represent K-State happy to spend time with you and show enjoyed meeting new students ‘The CE department was a the 2011 Professional Progress Award from the alumni, students, faculty you around! and working with student or- very rewarding place for me to College of Engineering. He began his consulting and staff on campus, in Kansas and across Have a great year and go Cats! ganizations. She also enjoyed work. I want to thank every- career with Bucher, Willis & Ratliff Corporation the country. meeting alumni and advisory one for the kindness extended in Salina, Kan., as a project engineer. In 1998 In this edition of Civil Matters, we council members during open to me, and for their friend- Wetzel was promoted to project manager and in present a glimpse of our activities and house and at banquets, picnics ship. I would love to hear from 2003 to team leader. Department adds accomplishments over the last year. You and events. Since her retire- former students,” says Sel- Currently, he is Vice President and Principal new faculty and will read about Rachel Spicer, senior from Alok Bhandari, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE ment, Selvidge has been doing vidge. Selvidge can be reached with H.W. Lochner, Inc., a Chicago-based con- 13 staff Shawnee, Kan., who was honored by Department Head and things at home, spending time at [email protected]. sulting engineering firm. He serves as manager ASCE with a national award for student Dr. Robert Snell CE Alumni Professor of Lochner’s Austin, Texas, office.

On the Cover Concrete canoe pour day ASCE Assembly 04: Senior Lauren Winnen traveled to Guatemala with the K-State Chapter of Engineers Without Borders. 06: See who the beloved Disney character Pluto is posing with on the alumni profiles page.

09: K-State hosted the 2011 Mid-Conti- nent Regional Competition, including steel bridge, concrete canoe and more. 10: Dr. Robert Peterman is researching transfer lengths in concrete railroad ties to help improve their strength for high-speed rail. 04 Civil Matters 2012 www.ce.ksu.edu 05

Left to right: 2011 CE advisory council members: Catherine Patrick (KDOT); James Tadtman (Wildcat Construction Co., Inc.); Darold Davis (Garver, LLC); Larry Emig council advisory (KDOT, retired); vice president, Gregory Weatherd (HNTB Corporation); secretary Open house award Dianne Honomichl; president, Keith Warta (Bartlett & West, Endowed Inc.); Karla Waters (Wilson & Co., Inc.); John Ahern (EvapTech, XE begins Inc.); Cathy Ritter (Constellation Design Group, Inc.); and Greg Allison (MKEC Engineering Consultations, Inc.) Not pictured: scholarships Bob Thorn (Finney & Turnipseed LLP, retired). Scholarships are the lifeblood mentoring of educational dreams. Today’s students are our future lead- ers. By establishing an endowed freshmen scholarship, you create oppor- Chi Epsilon has been quite tunities for students who may busy with recent induction of new not be able to afford their edu- members and planning a service cation or reward them for their project. In fall 2011, the chap- student groups student academic efforts. Endowing a ter inducted seven new mem- scholarship may also provide The K-State Student ASCE class to put together displays with bers: Tyler Davison, Mulvane, recognition to your family, fac- Chapter focused on the 2011 topics such as , Kan.; Brady Crites, Overland ulty or distinguished colleague. Mid-Continent Regional and surveying, the Hoover Dam and Park, Kan.; Dominic LaRocca, When companies and/or improving open house particit- a model of how the Deep Water Kansas City, Mo.; Colin O’Leary, industry associations endow a pation. The theme for the 2011 Horizon oil spill was plugged. Norman, Okla.; Sara Mann, scholarship, they help attract open house was “Pushing the Future students were able to get Hutchinson, Kan.; Josh Riley, Lees the best and the brightest stu- Limits” and the civil engineering a feel of what civil engineering Summit, Mo.; and Tanner Yost, dents to pursue a career in their department did just that. Festivi- is all about through the interac- Minneola, Kan. Along with the respective industries or profes- ties began with a parade Friday tive displays as well as hands-on new initiates, the K-State chapter sional fields of endeavor. morning consisting of a float and activities in the environmental selected Cathy Ritter (BSCE ‘75), We appreciate your consider- skit from each department. The lab. Children learned about the President of Constellation Design ation. Please visit our website at civil engineering department transportation side of civil engi- Group, Inc., as the chapter honor www.ce.ksu.edu or contact Lori wowed the crowd and received a neering by racing remote-control member. Rogge, Sr. Director of Develop- roaring applause with their well- cars through a model of K-State’s For the biannual service proj- ment, College of Engineering, at choreographed dance and mural. campus. All the hard work that ect, XE officers and initiates 785-532-7539 or email at lorir@ The students (pictured above) the many student volunteers put teamed up with the U.S. Army found.ksu.edu for more infor- were awarded second place in the into open house this past year Corps of Engineers and went to mation. competition for their efforts. made it a fun and successful several playgrounds around Tuttle s Students worked outside of weekend. Creek Lake laying down fresh Letter from the advisory chair mulch. This spring Chi Epsilon 70 plans to team up with the Corps Cathy What a great time to be asso- funding is necessary to attract of Engineers again and help with ciated with the civil engineering and maintain top-level students, cleaning up more playgrounds in department at K-State. Current faculty and facilities, the advisory Tuttle Creek State Park. Ritter enrollment is at an all-time high, council is actively involved with Student travels to Guatemala a new engineering funding initia- identifying funding sources and CE Associate Professor Steven With the help of her mentor, Dr. Ewell Lauren Winnen, Lakewood, Starrett and department head tive has been created by the state educating alumni on needs in the Bomhardt, Cathy Ritter (BSCE ‘75) was able Colo., CE senior travelled to Pana- Alok Bhandari helped start a of Kansas, and the department department. to open her own engineering firm, Constella- jachel, Guatemala, during spring freshman mentoring program staff and faculty are dedicated to A key function of the council tion Design. Originally from Overland Park, break 2010 with K-State’s Engineers through the CE 101 class. Ten making a difference in the lives of is to review the curriculum and Kan., Ritter now resides in Maryland where Without Borders student organiza- chapter members helped two to civil engineering students. compare current courses with her firm is located. tion. The trip was co-sponsored three groups of students with The Civil Engineering Advi- Bhandari, who is an ex-officio industry needs to ensure the Ritter and her husband, also a civil engi- by Heart to Heart International of their projects, enrollment and sory Council provides a link with member of the council. current focus matches identified neer, have two sons. She enjoys agility train- Olathe, Kan., as part of its commu- civil engineering-related ques- the practicing profession and is A few of the issues on which requirements. Comments from ing with her border collie/flatcoat retriever nity health initiative. tions. The CE department allocat- dedicated to assisting the depart- we are focused this year include this review are being integrated mix. Winnen was part of a seven- ed $1140 toward the mentoring ment in providing the highest ABET accreditation, funding for into the curriculum modification member K-State team that checked program. quality of education. We pro- the department and curriculum that is underway. domestic water filters, volunteered This allocation greatly helped vide input on curriculum, assist review. The Civil Engineering Advi- at a local clinic and provided school the chapter with sending a chap- with faculty recruitment, engage Over the past few years, the sory Council is focused on sup- kids with de-worming medicine. ter delegate to attend the 42nd in student activities, assist with council has spearheaded a survey porting improvement of our civil She summarized her experi- National Conclave, hosted by ABET accreditation, and help of employers to solicit informa- engineering department and is ences in Guatemala saying, “The States perceive as being so readily mountains and volcanoes to the Pacific District Chi Epsilon Chap- develop research and technology tion for the ABET assessment passionately involved in advanc- lifelong memories and lessons available to us and to use my en- colorful traditional clothing that ters in Los Angeles, Calif. Tom transfer. Our council consists of process and also met with ABET ing engineering at K-State. Go that I took from our short time in gineering education to help others the women wore.” Winnen is the Greer, Shawnee, Kan., represent- 12 practicing engineers who evaluators during their recent Cats! Guatemala are numerous. I have do the same. I will never forget second CE student to have par- ed the chapter in the Conclave are committed to the advance- on-campus visit. This process has a much greater desire to conserve the beauty of the area that we were ticipated in an EWB international and brought back new ideas to ment of engineering at K-State. confirmed the quality of our civil the resources that we in the United in, from the lake surrounded by service-learning trip. campus. A large part of our activities in- engineering program. volve direct support for Dr. Alok Understanding that adequate Keith Warta (BSCE ’84) 06 Civil Matters 2012 www.ce.ksu.edu 07 transportation centers Blast from the past— s UTC creates student sponsorship opportunities

90 Hosted by K-State civil engi- in research funding that has sup- establishing a distance education- Scott Wetzel UTC Advisory Committee members through the decades neering, the University Transpor- ported 30 research projects beyond based graduate certificate program Rodney Montney (KDOT); Paul Malir Even as an undergradute shooting water out 50-60 feet, tation Center (UTC) is a multi- those funded by the Kansas De- in transportation engineering. (TranSystems Corporation), J. Michael alumni student, Scott Wetzel (BSCE much to his surprise. disciplinary research organization partment of Transportation’s K-State UTC sponsors the Bowen (Federal Highway Administra- s ‘93) knew he wanted to design Born and raised in Tribune, dedicated to bringing together (KDOT) Kansas Transportation annual Kansas Transportation En- tion), W. Michael Lackey (KDOT, water and wastewater systems. Kan., Wetzel now lives with his transportation professionals, edu- Research and New Developments gineering Conference, the annual retired), Mike Crow (Kansas Asphalt 00 In his first year as a consul- wife, Jerie, and two dogs, Sadie cators and researchers to identify (K-TRAN) program. The Center Bridge Workshop, and 30 highway Pavement Association), E. Dean Carlson Russell Yarnell tant, Wetzel was helping create and Abbie, in Texas where rural transportation problems— has awarded 36 UTC scholarships, safety training courses through (Carlson Associates), Edward Mulcahy a computer model for a large he opened a new LOCHNER and to solve them. The theme of 27 GRA positions and funding the Traffic Assistance Services for (TranSystems Corporation), Robert After graduating in the gen- Yarnell enjoys running to help water distribution system. In office about five years ago. the K-State UTC is the safety and support for the completion of five Kansas (TASK) program co-spon- Thorn (Finney & Turnipseed, retired), eral option of civil engineering, relieve stress. He also tries to order to check the accuracy of Outside the office he enjoys sustainability of rural transporta- M.S. theses. sored by the University of Kansas, Leon Hobson (Riley County, Kan.), Russell Yarnell (BSCE ‘04) de- participate in KSPE and ASCE. the model, field tests had to be attending sporting events, tion systems and infrastructure. The center has awarded 50 the Federal Highway Administra- Greg Harkrader (Kansas Highway Pa- cided to pursue his master’s in One of his favorite projects conducted at various hydrants hunting, metal sculpting, The center is directed by CE Pro- student travel grants to attend tion and KDOT. trol), Todd LaTorella (MO/KS American biological and agricultural en- was an ARRA-funded water within the system. Wetzel woodworking and spending fessor Robert W. ‘Bobb’ Stokes. national transportation confer- Complete details on the Univer- Concrete Pavement Association), Keith gineering. Immediately Yarnell treament plant for the city of was assigned to test a hydrant time with his wife. Since its establishment in FY ences, provided funding support sity Transportation Center’s pro- Browning (Douglas County, Kan.),and knew he wanted to get his P.E. Russell, Kan. This project was served from a 36-inch water 2006, the UTC has secured and for the KDOT Summer Internship grams are available no the web at Joan Roeseler (Federal Transit Admin- and focus on water and waste- rushed due to government main. distributed more than $2,300,000 Program and played a key role in http://transport.ksu.edu/ istration). water projects. deadlines. Yarnell is currently When fully opened, the Seven months before com- an engineer for Bartlett and hydrant released water with a pleting his M.S., Yarnell tied West in Topeka, Kan. static pressure of the knot with his wife, Christi. “No project is ever perfect,” over 90 psi, They have two sons, Orrie, 4, he said, “but make sure you and Davis, 1. When he is not learn from mistakes for future spending time with his family, reference.”

MATC works to preserve infrastructure

The Mid-America Transporta- supported research of CE faculty re-competition for regional UTCs with the University of Nebraska- tion Center was designated as the members working on the preser- as part of USDOT’s $77 million Lincoln, University of Kansas, Uni- s Region VII United States Depart- vation and safety of our regional UTC program. The reauthorized versity of Iowa, Missouri University ment of Transportation (USDOT) transportation infrastructure. K- MATC will have two new partners: of Science & Technology, Lincoln 80 University Transportation Center State’s efforts are directed toward Iowa State University and Univer- University and Prairie View A&M Karla Waters (UTC) in a competitive process in prolonging the life span of trans- sity of Missouri-Columbia, along University. The center is funded 2006. Region VII includes Iowa, portation infrastructure elements, at $3.5 million per year and will Many people claim to “bleed presented many challenges including Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. safety aspects of increased truck focus its activities on the following purple’” but for Karla Waters (BSCE alignment, drainage issues due to the The 2006 MATC was a consortium traffic on our highways due to in- USDOT strategic goals: enhanc- ‘88) this a loved lifestyle. Waters soil in the sand hills, and addressing of seven universities within the creased freight movements and ing safety, state of enjoys embarassing her husband, property owners concerns. region with the University of Ne- effects of motor cycles in the mix. good repair, eco- Jeff, and two daughters, Brooke and When not working, Waters enjoys braska-Lincoln (UNL) as the lead K-State has also participated in a nomic competitive- Bailey, at K-State football and bas- cooking, reading, being involved in institution. CE Professor Mustaque national pooled-funds project to in- ness and environ- ketball games. church activities and attending her Hossain has served as an associ- vestigate accommodating oversize/ mental sustainability. Originally from a farm southwest daughters school functions, includ- ate director of MATC representing overweight trucks at roundabouts. of Concordia, Kan., Waters is now a ing softball games. Kansas State University. MATC projects have supported Gleen Fager, P.E.,(BSCE ‘69) recently project manager at Wilson & Com- Waters challenges herself to never In recent years, K-State has had seven graduate students and pro- pany, Inc. One of her favorite projects stop learning and hopes to help per- retired district material engineer of remarkable success in augmenting vided tuition fees and travel as- KDOT, teaches at a Superpave Certifi- was an expansion of the two-lane suade younger students to pursue a its transportation research, educa- sistance to several other graduate cate Program of MATC at KSU. About 40 K-61 in Reno County, Kan., which career in civil engineering. tion and technology transfer pro- students. engineers and technicians attend this gram through MATC, which has MATC was successful in the 2011 course every year. 08 Civil Matters 2012 www.ce.ksu.edu 09

Steel Bridge Judges ASCE Seventh consecutive national for steel bridge The 2011 K-State steel bridge causing the team to miss a 3rd-place team, led by Matthew Arnold, Shaw- finish by only eight thouandths of an

ASCE nee, Kan., and John Handke, Topeka, inch. This decrease in deflection also Kan., swept the regional competi- decreased the efficiency by $40,829. tion placing 1st in lightness at 364 Unfortunately the team accrued a pounds; economy at $3,638,750; ef- 300lb weight penalty because the ficiency at $1,766,089; and overall at bridge was built crooked on the a total cost of $5,404,839. The team foundation easements. “Steel Willie took 2nd in deflection with 0.405 VII” finished 25th in the nation out inches, and construction speed with of the 48 schools invited. 23.86 minutes and 3rd in aesthet- Rachel Spicer, Shawnee, Kan., ics. The strong finish led the team hopes to lead the 2012 team to an K-State’s concrete canoe ‘Catalyst’ sits against the to Texas A&M University in College eighth consecutive national ap- beach at Tuttle Creek River Pond below the dam on Station, Texas, for the National Stu- pearence on Memorial Day week- April 23, 2011. K-State held its first concrete canoe dent Steel Bridge Competition May end in Clemson, S.C. The regional comeptition in this area in 1974. 21 and 22. competition will be held in Lincoln, The same rules and scoring are “Steel Willie VII” setup in Ahearn before the aesthetics judging. Tyler Ummel (BSCE Neb., April 19-21. ‘11), along with other team members, wait for competition to begin while the 11 used at each competition. Bridges other participating schools set their bridges up. The 2012 team began fabrica- are judged on their aesthetics, light- tion in January, starting off with two ness, construction speed, aggregate during construction. Efficiency is dropped 5.48 minutes off of its con- workdays a week to try to complete 2011 Mid-Continent Regional deflection, construction economy based on the weight of the bridge struction time, cutting $822,500 dol- the bridge before spring break. The and structural efficiency. Economy and the aggregate deflection. The lars off the economy of the bridge. bridge design is also an under truss is based off of both the build time as overall score or cost of the bridge is Modifications to the bridge between with a cantilever. Due to rule chang- hosted at K-State a success well as the number of builders and the economy plus the efficiency. the competitions decreased the ag- es, the cantilever is a foot longer, in- temporary piers the team utilizes At nationals, the build team gregate deflection by 0.105 inches, troducing many design challenges. Every seven years K-State hosts the wall in place. It wasn’t permitted Students turned in a paper to be most weight before submerging. the Mid-Continent Regional Con- to be taped to the box. This wall must scored before the conference and Students were given balloons, plastic ference which consists of steel bridge retain approximately 70 pounds of presented during competition days. cups, scissors, tape, pop sickle sticks, and concrete canoe competitions, sand for 30 seconds before loading The overall score was equally weight- rubber bands and straws to use for geotechnical challenge, technical actually begins. The walls were then ed between the paper and presenta- construction. There was a large vari- paper presentations, and a mystery loaded with up to an additional 75 tion. Rachel Spicer took 3rd place ation in the basic design concepts event. pounds. Schools were scored by who for K-State out of 12 participating and everyone thoroughly enjoyed In the geotechnical challenge, held the most weight, used the least schools. the competition. students design and fabricate a amount of material and fabricated Following the conclusion of pre- There were a total of 12 partici- paper retaining wall. Teams were their wall the quickest. K-State took sentations was the mystery event. pating universities in the conference. given tape, scissors, poster board 3rd place out of the three participat- There were two parts to the mystery Overall, the universities were very and drawing paper for wall fabrica- ing universities. event. One was to construct a boat pleased with the conference, the only tion and had to bring a dimensioned The technical paper presentation that would travel the furthest in the complaint being the frigid tempera- wood box with one removable side. topic was “Ethics and the Report canoe swamp tank and the second tures and strong wind during the Concrete canoe finishes second at regionals Friction was the only thing holding Card for America’s Infrastructure”. part was the boat had to hold the concrete canoe races.

For the first time since 2008, the concrete notebook at competition that is a technical Left: Dustin Hoyt, Lawrence, Kan., and Josh Sommerfeld, Shawnee, Kan., prepare canoe team placed in the top three at the document containing supportive informa- to test K-State’s mystery event boat for the distance part of the competition in the regional competition. “Catalyst” took 2nd tion related to the design and construction concrete canoe swamp tank. Below: Robert Schweiger, Shawnee, Kan., and Andy overall out of 12 participating teams, taking on the canoe. This may include certificate of Shearrer, Derby, Kan., construct K-State’s bridge in Ahearn Fieldhouse during the 1st place in the oral presentation, 7th place compliance, photos of construction stages, steel bridge competition. Right: Luke McIntosh (BSCE ‘11), Brandon Bortz (BSCE in final product, 7th place in the races, and hull thickness/reinforcement calculations, ‘08, MSCE ‘10) and Josh Sommerfeld, Shawnee, Kan., try to load K-State’s geo- challenge wall to failure. The wall held around 400 pounds without failing. 10th place in the technical paper. The theme percent open-area calculations and techni- “Catalyst” was chosen by co-captains Jes- cal data sheets of the products used in the sica Hennes, Berryton, Kan., and Brianna canoe. Krystof, Baldwin City, Kan. The 2012 rules allowed teams to design This theme was sparked from the defi- their own hulls or use the same hull design nition of catalyst, something that starts a that had been provided previously. Co- chemical reaction. The captains hoped to captains Brianna Krystoff and Jenny Swabb, bring new life to the team with “Catalyst” Basehor, Kan., decided to design a hull to after several years of modest finishes. try to help with the canoe’s manuverability. The team was judged on four catageo- With this the team poured two , a Top: Jenny Swabb, Basehor, Kan., Sara Mann, Hutchinson, Kan., and Cassandra ries: design paper, oral presentations, final practice one and one for competition. The Stalbaumer, Gower, Mo., row during the women’s endurance race on April 23, 2011. product and five races. Each of these are 2012 theme is Amelia Earhart. The display Above: Design team members help canoe co-captain Brianna Kryzstof, Baldwin City, worth 25 of the 100 total points. Teams will have wings and the canoe will make up Kan., lower “Catalyst” into the swamp tank in the engineering plaza on April 22, 2011. are also required to submit an engineers’ the body of the plane. 10 Civil Matters 2012 www.ce.ksu.edu 11 research Yacoub Najjar Faculty rewarded with CE Professor Yacoub Najjar Software helps strengthen bridge piers was appointed as the inaugural CE Associate Professor Hayder Thomas and Connie Paulson Civil Rasheed, and his graduate student Engineering Outstanding Fac- professorships Ahmed Abd El Fattah have up- ulty Awardee. The Paulson faculty dated the K-DOT Column Expert

research award was recently established by Endowed gifts such as professor- CE alumni and friends help fund software by extending the nonlin- Tom (BSCE ’73) and Connie Paul- ships help attract and retain faculty endowed professorships. Three CE ear moment of the area concept son to inspire the highest quality members of the highest caliber at professors were appointed to en- to analyze the generalized case of faculty in the College of Engineer- K-State CE. Contributions made by dowed positions in 2011. biaxial bending plus axial com- ing at KSU. pression in concrete columns. The development of this software has Mustaque Hossain Robert Peterman been funded by the Kansas De- partment of Transportation. CE Professor Mustaque Hos- CE Professor Robert Peterman In addition to standard analy- sain was appointed as the inau- was appointed as the Martin K. sis and design, the software can gural Munger Professor of Civil Eby Distinguished Professor of assess the actual ultimate capac- Engineering. The Munger profes- Engineering. The Eby professor- ity of bridge piers when subjected sorship was established by Elmer ship was established by Martin to extreme loading events such as and Vivian Munger to recognize K. Eby (BSCE ‘56) and Charles K. truck impacts. The extra strength Harold H. Munger (BSCE ’39), Eby (BSCE ‘67) in 1995 to help at- of the bridge piers comes from Elmer L. Munger (BSCE ’36) and tract and retain a faculty member confining the concrete columns Harold H. Munger (BSCE ’70), of superior qualifications in the with closely spaced spiral or hoop and to provide financial sup- department of civil engineering The output of the software predictions. Rasheed’s research and Applied Mathematics, Com- reinforcement as well as repairing port for a distinguished faculty or the department of architectural is benchmarked against a wide related to this project was recently puters and Concrete and in Ap- the piers by wrapping them with member in the department of civil engineering and construction sci- spectrum of experimental data published in the Journal of the plied Mechanics Reviews. fiber-reinforced polymer. engineering. ence. confirming the accuracy of its Franklin Institute: Engineering Improved high-speed-rail concrete ties railroad Factors for high severity of truck crashes ties are becoming increasingly Do you know that Kansas to understand the popular in the United States and truck crashes are more issue in detail. Based on pre- are an essential component for severe than other types of liminary analysis, a major- higher speed railway lines. In crashes? Each year about ity of contributory causes order for these prestressed con- 4,000 people die in motor (73%) related to truck crete ties to function adequately vehicle crashes associated crashes involve the driver. over their expected service life, the with large trucks and about Among those, failing to give prestressing force must be fully 75% of those fatalities are time and attention, speed- introduced into the railroad tie at among the other-vehicle ing and failing to yield right a location well before the rail load occupants. KSU civil engi- of way were the top three is applied. The length required to neering department is con- driver-contributory causes. transfer the prestress force into the ducting a study to identify Statistical modeling of truck concrete member is referred to as factors related to high sever- crashes identified the factors the transfer length. ity of truck crashes on our that lead to increased sever- Since the prestressed concrete roadways. Funded by the ity of truck crashes, where it ties are relatively short and have Mid-America Transporta- was seen that factors such extremely large impact loads ap- tion Center, Dr. Sunanda as driving under the influ- plied near the member ends, most Dissanayake and graduate ence of alcohol contribute of the prestressed concrete rail- steels has been so limited, current tors include Prof. Terry Beck, me- crossties. This knowledge is essen- student Siddhartha Koti- not only to the occurrence road tie producers utilize indented design codes in the United States chanical and nuclear engineering, tial for proper design of concrete kalapudi are analyzing the of crashes, but also increase prestressing wires or strands. It is do not yet address the transfer and Prof. John Wu, industrial and crossties used in higher speed rail- large-truck crash data from the severity. generally understood that these length of indented prestressing manufacturing systems engineer- way applications in order that they indentations serve to improve the steels. ing. Results of the project will gen- perform well during their entire bond between the steel and the CE Professor Robert Peterman erate a quantitative understanding service life. concrete and therefore reduce the is leading a two and one-half year, of the interaction between the The K-State researchers will be transfer length. $1.35 million research project concrete mixes and prestressing conducting this work in Manhat- However, because the applica- funded by the Federal Rail Ad- steel reinforcements used in the tan, Kan., as well as at the CXT tion of these indented reinforcing ministration. Project collabora- fabrication of prestressed concrete Concrete Tie Plant in Tucson, Ariz. 12 Civil Matters 2012 www.ce.ksu.edu 13 department news Arsenic contamination of groundwater Additions to the civil engineering department CE Assistant Professor Natalie organic compounds and determine Natalie Mladenov Mladenov is studying the connec- their sources. Results from her tions between human development, collaboration with scientists from Natalie Mladenov joined the CE sity of Granada, Spain and then went particularly interested in issues related global change and water quality of the U.S. and Bangladesh appear to faculty in January 2012. She was born on to serve as a research scientist and to water and sustainability in devel-

research rivers, lakes and groundwater. Her point to sewage pollution of soils and raised in the Big Apple, New York the associate director of the hydro- oping communities. Her research current research explores how arse- and natural organic matter in the City. Mladenov attended the Universi- logical sciences graduate program at also probes questions related to the nic contamination of groundwater soil as factors affecting the mobili- ty of South Florida, where she received the University of Colorado at Boulder. influence of atmospheric deposition affects the exposure of more than zation of arsenic in groundwater. her B.S. in civil engineering, and the Mladenov’s research is in envi- on remote alpine ecosystems and, ul- 100 million people in southeast Mladenov’s other research proj- University of Colorado at Boulder, ronmental engineering and focuses timately, water quality in headwater Asia to this poisonous element. ects related to arsenic explore the where she completed her M.S. and on advancing the understanding of catchments. Arsenic occurs naturally in formation of carcinogenic byprod- Ph.D. in civil, environmental, and ar- how natural organic matter (NOM) Mladenov has two energetic chil- the soils of the region and its mo- ucts during the disinfection of low- chitectural engineering. Throughout influences water quality in pristine dren, ages 5 and 2, and is married to bilization is intimately linked to arsenic, pathogen-contaminated her graduate career, she worked in and polluted environments. Her on- Ryan McGrath, a professional water Dr. Mladenov the presence of dissolved organic groundwater and the extent of consulting as a water resources engi- going research seeks to evaluate the resources engineer and Instructor in collects sediment core to investigate how matter in the groundwater. Much natural arsenic pollution in arid, neer. After graduate school, she was a role of NOM in the mobilization of the department of civil engineering. arsenic is mobilized still remains to be learned about sub-Saharan Africa. A better un- postdoctoral research associate at the arsenic in groundwater in southeast Her hobbies include mountain biking, from sediments into the the sources of organic matter in derstanding of arsenic mobiliza- University of Virginia and the Univer- Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. She is snowboarding and hiking. groundwater underlying arsenic-laden groundwater and the tion can help multitudes of people the Okavango Delta of relationships between arsenic and affected by this crisis treat water or Jeanette Grauerholz Ryan McGrath Botswana. organic matter. Mladenov is using look for new, sustainable sources of novel techniques to characterize drinking water. Jeanette Grauerholz is K-State Ryan McGrath joined K-State CE CE’s new accountant. She manages as an instructor. He comes from Boul- the accounts of the department and der, Colorado. Ryan spent most of his various ongoing research projects. life in Colorado living in Golden, Grauerholz grew up in and lives in Boulder and Breckenridge and five St. Mary’s, Kan., and attended Wash- years in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. New institute to focus on urban water burn University. She brings book Ryan is married to CE Assistant Pro- keeping and accounting experience fessor Natalie Mladenov and they Water has been identified as and head, Alok Bhandari, will water management approaches cies, businesses and organizations from university and library settings. have two kids. one of the most critical resourc- serve as the founding director and innovative treatment tech- that focus on water. UWI will Grauerholz’s family includes her Ryan has several years of experi- es for the future. In 2011, KSU of the institute. UWI will be de- nologies that support sustainable bring together industry, research- husband Dana, 19-year-old Laura ence as a consultant with civil engi- President Kirk Schulz announced veloped as a premier center of use of water. ers, policy makers, advocates and and 22-year-old Travis, both KSU neering firms. For the past 8 years he the establishment of the K-State knowledge and outreach focused The Urban Water Institute is educators to identify and develop students, and 24-year-old Brett and has been an owner of a company fo- Urban Water Institute (UWI) on sustainable water management strategically located on the K- solutions for complex, cross- his fiancee Emily, both 2011 KSU cused on surveying and geographical at the univer- in urban and urbanizing environ- State Olathe campus in the Kansas disciplinary and cross-boundary graduates. In her spare time Grau- loves the smell of asphalt coming out positioning systems. in the winter. Ryan finds K-State CE sity’s Olathe ments. The institute will advance City metropolitan area, home to a concerns related to urban water erholz likes to read, cook, shop and of the CE labs because it reminds her Ryan enjoys bike riding and interesting in the amount of opportu- campus. CE and promote public policy, variety of world-renowned agen- sustainability. By being located do antiquing. She says in the past of summertime road paving in her spending time outdoors with his kids nities students have outside the class- Professor at Olathe, the institute will help months she has learned a lot of in- childhood. whether it is swimming at the pool in room to interact with other students, connect the water industry in the teresting engineering terms and the summer or sledding and skiing faculty and industry professionals. Kansas City region with more than 50 water experts on KSU’s Manhattan campus. KSU civil engineering fall banquet awards ASCE Advisor of the Year: Outstanding Graduate Outstanding Freshman Award: Outstanding M.S. Award: Yacoub Najjar Faculty Award: Carl Peterson Mohammed Albahttiti Hayder Rasheed ASCE Outstanding Faculty Outstanding Sophomore Award: Outstanding Ph.D. Award: Award: Outstanding University and Pro- Dominic LaRoca Brandon Bortz Mustaque Hossain fessional Service Award: Outstanding Junior Award: Outstanding Staff Award: Hani Melhem Chi Epsilon Student Advocate Xinchi Zhang (Spring 2011) Danita Deters of the Year Award: Outstanding Research Award: Jenny Swabb (Fall 2011) Outstanding Colleague Award: Mustaque Hossain Bob Peterman Outstanding Senior Award: Dunja Peric Chi Epsilon Undergraduate Outstanding Teaching Award: John Handke (Spring 2011) UTC Student of the year: Teaching Excellence Award: Hayder Rasheed Gus Wuertz (Fall 2011) Wilson Smith Yacoub Najjar 14 Civil Matters 2012 www.ce.ksu.edu 15 friends & supportersfriends

Undergraduate scholarship recipients Vincent Studer (Frankfort, Kan.) CE Professional Academy Michael Armour (Clearwater, Kan.) Coen Family CE Scholarship, Brandon Heavener (Emporia, Kan.) Bruce E. Roberts Scholarship Leo Dwerlkotte Scholarship in Engi- Corporate Members Kan.) KCHA Clarence Smith Me- Engineering Scholarship Kan.) Coonrod Memorial CE neering, Paul Bartak Family Scholar- Xuchu Pang (Taizhai City, Chi- morial Scholarship Scholarship ship Bartlett & West Inc. MKEC Engineering Consultants Inc. Aubrey Coulter (Park City, Kan.) na) Francis D. Wagner Memorial ConocoPhillips Utility Maintenance Contractors Cale Armstrong (Shawnee, Kan.) E.C. Lindly Scholarship for Engi- Jessica Hennes (Berryton, Kan.) Scholarship, The Nelson Y.N. Wang Jenny Swabb (Basehor, Kan.) Etna Kevin & Dianne Honomichl CE neering Students, Uhl Engineering Edwin F. and Eunice F. Wamb- Memorial and John Y.A. Chiang King Pilcher Memorial Scholarship, Constellation Design Group Wildcat Construction Co., Inc. Scholarship, R.D. and Mary C. An- Scholarship in CE sganss Engineering Scholarship, Uhl Engineering Jim and Pat Guthrie CE Scholarship, ExxonMobil Foundation derson Scholarship Scholarship in CE Karl J. Svaty Memorial Engineering Brady Crites (Overland Park, Kan.) Walter Hicks (Wichita, Kan.) Al- Scholarship Juan Banuelas (Kansas City, Kan.) Bartlett & West Inc. CE Scholar- bert Niu Lin Scholarship in CE, CE Carl Peterson (Overland Park, Individual Members Equal Opportunity Fund, The Mal- ship, Beavers Heavy Construction Excellence Scholarship, Engineer- Kan.) Chas Turnipseed Memorial Aaron Wasko (Winfield, Kan.) co Multicultural Scholarship Scholarship, Brungardt Honomichl ing Scholarship Fund, Edmond E. Young Scholar- Charles Freund Memorial Scholar- Donald & Susan Allison Nolan & Suzanna Hake Cathy & Tom Ritter & Company, PA CE Scholarship, ship, Uhl Engineering Scholarship ship, Kenneth and Maria Rector Walt Bellairs Kevin & Dianne Kevin & Kathleen Haley Bensel (Shawnee, Kan.) En- Trevor Kaufman (Newton, Kan.) Jeanne M. and Edward J. Mulcahy in CE Scholarship, The Wildcat Construc- gineering Scholarship Walter M. and Alice K. Bellairs Michael & Joyce Honomichl Rohner Scholarship tion Company, Inc. Scholarship Scholarship Peria Ramos (Jaca, Spain) Equal Brannan Hud & Jill Huddleston Vicki Scharnhorst Andrew Bernica (Topeka, Kan.) Jacob Cronenwett (Lenexa, Kan.) Opportunity Fund, The Malco Andrew Wiederholt (Hartford, Bartlett & West Inc. CE Scholar- Corey Kingsland (Wichita, Kan.) Randy & Jacquie Helen Johnson Bob & Lila Snell Engineering Scholarship Multicultural Scholarship Kan.) Alan & Sharon Sylvester CE ship, Bruce E. Roberts Scholarship, Engineering Scholarship Scholarship, Kenneth and Maria Coonrod David & Nanette Doris Spray Rathbone Scholarship Fund Tyler Davison (Tulsa, Okla.) Chas Robert Reilly (Overland Park, Jared Loomis (Macksville, Kan.) Rector Scholarship Ruth Coonrod Karnowski Bill and Susan Stannard Turnipseed Memorial Fund Kan.) Kenneth and Maria Rec- Antoine Borden (Colorado Spings, Orville “Butch” and Doris Spray Ken & Patricia Couch Mike & Vera Lackey Karl & Monica Svaty tor Scholarship, Mick and Nancy Adam Wilkerson (Columbia, Mo.) Colo.) Engineering Scholarship Joshua Dlabal (Wilson, Kan,) Chas Family CE Scholarship McAuliff CE Scholarship, Walter Engineering Scholarship Darold Davis Jeffrey & Joy Lessman Alan & Sharon Sylvester Turnipseed Memorial Fund Gregory Canales (Emporia, Kan.) Sara Mann (Hutchinson, Kan.) Or- M. and Alice K. Bellaris Scholarship Augustine Wuertz (Richmond, Les Doty Thomas & Loraine Jim & Marty Tadtman Engineering Scholarship, Herman Clare Drilling (Olathe, Kan.) Engi- ville “Butch” and Doris Spray Fam- Garrett Sharpe (Linsborg, Kan.) Kan.) Max E. Foote Scholarship Larry & Jean Emig Lindley Bob & Bernita Thorn V. Fleming Memorial Scholarship, neering Scholarship ily CE Scholarship Archie R. and Dorothy E. Hyle En- Philip Frazier Charles May Leland Tice R.D. and Mary C. Anderson Schol- Daithin Wycoff (Wichita, Kan.) David Ecklund (Overland Park, Daniel Mealiff(Beloit, Kan.) Alfred gineering Scholarship. Engineering Scholarship Byron & Beth Freeby Mick & Nancy Scott & Marcia Vaughn scholarships, distance learning distance scholarships, arship, The Robert Callen King Kan.) First Generation Engineering Walton Johnson Memorial Scholar- Award in CE Joseph Shaw (Eureka, Kan.) Clair Jerry & Donna Friesen McAuliffe Jerry & Robin Westhoff Scholarship, Moritz/Selma Auer- ship, Coonrod Memorial CE Schol- Tanner Yost (Minneola, Kan.) A. Mauch Memorial Scholarship Jack Cantele (Wichita, Kan.) Engi- bach Scholarship arship, Dwight Raymond Lee Me- ASCE Wichita Branch Scholarship, Mike & Vicky Gard Warren McElroy Don Wiruth & Treva in CE, Kenneth and Maria Rector neering Scholarship morial Scholarship, Everett J. and Kansas Chapter of the American Jim & Carolyn Grier Ed & Jeanne Mulcahy Fairbanks Wiruth Adam Emerson (Tomball, Texas) Scholarship Marilyn J. Cupps CE Scholarship Public Works Associations’ Steve Joseph Cillessen (Wichita, Kan.) Coonrod Memorial CE Scholar- Darwin & Beverly Ernie Nelson Jerry and Sandra Jennifer Sommerfeld (Shawnee, Webb Memorial Scholarship, K C H Engineering Scholarship, Loyal and ship, NACME Scholarship Keithen Meyer (Bern, Kan.) Bruce Kan.) Gene and Doris Grosh Indus- Association Clarence Smith Memo- Guinn Jon & Glenda Nelson Wooten Jill Huddleston CE Scholarship E. Roberts Scholarship Christian Ford (Manhattan, Kan.) trial Engineering Scholarship, Max rial Scholarship James & Patricia Tom & Connie Paulson Kent & Mary Wray Samuel Corey (Overland Park, Engineering Scholarship Matthew Oesterreigh (Colby, E. Foote Scholarship Guthrie Danny Porter Dear Alumni and Corporate Friends Distance education master’s degree courses The civil engineering department offers online or by other multimedia delivery methods. credit toward earning a professional engineering graduate-level courses leading to a master of Students only need to travel to K-State once, at license. For information on earning this license, science degree in civil engineering to off-cam- the end of their program, for an oral examina- go to the Kansas Board of Technical Professions pus students—no matter where they live. All tion conducted by their graduate committee. A online at http://www.kansas.gov/ksbtp/. courses needed for the degree will be offered master’s degree can also be counted as a year of Summer 2012 Fall 2012 CE 703 Responsibility in Engg. CE 625 Design of Groundwater Flow Systems CE 704 Responsibility in Engg. 2: CE 704 Responsibility in Engg. 2: Leadership Developement Leadership & Diversity CE 732 Adv. Structural Analysis I CE 790 Prb/Engg. Ethics: Case Studies CE 742 Advanced Steel Design CE 745 Structural Dynamics Division of Continuing Education: CE 751 Hydraulics of Open Channels CE 766 Wastewater Engineering 131 College Court Building CE 775 Traffic Engineering Manhattan, KS 66506-6001 CE 776 Hot Mix Asphalt Design/Construction Email: [email protected] CE 786 Land Development for Civil Engr. & Planners Phone: 1.877.528.6105 CE 816 Topics/ABAQUS Applications in Geosystems Visit online: http://www.dce.ksu.edu/engineering/degrees/civil/ CE 861 Environ. Engg. Chemistry Department of Civil Engineering 2118 Fiedler Hall Manhattan, KS 66506-5000