CIGMAT informs, instructs at 11th annual conference.

On March 3, more than 250 people participated in a one-day conference and exhibition organized by the Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT) and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston on "Construction. Geotechnical and Flooding

With initial remarks by C. Vipulanandan, chairman, professor and director of CIGMAT, four panel discussions focused on the construction and maintenance of civil infrastructure in the urban environment. A review of the city of Houston's projects also were discussed. Speakers included Michael Marcotte, director of Public Works and Engineering Dept., city of Houston; Steve Simmons, deputy director-Austin, TX; and Lt. Colonel Christopher Sallese. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers-Galveston.

Participants were given the opportunity to attend three technical sessions. Under the to pig "Management of Major Water and Wastewater Systems," Brandon Wade, director of Public Works and Assistant City Manager, Galveston, TX, discussed some the challenges inherent to Galveston; Derek St. John, project manager, Lockwood Andrew and Newnam, Houston, TX, discussed the management of water pipeline infrastructure replacement; and David Kurtz, regional manager, Pure Technologies, Dallas, TX, gave a presentation on pipeline risk management.

During the panel discussion on "Geotechnical Issues: Repairing and Maintaining Dams and Levees" speakers discussed lessons learned from hurricanes and New Orleans experiences. the monitoring of dams in Texas, and maintaining the civil infrastructure in South East Texas. Speakers included: Ozgural Gurkan, URS Corp., New Orleans, LA; Warren Samuelson. executive secretary, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Austin, TX; and Terry Bautista, technical director, USACE-Galveston, Galveston, TX.

"Flooding and Stormwater Issues" was headed up by Mike Talbott, director, Harris County Flood Control District, Houston, TX, who discussed future flood control projects and plans for the city; Martha Juch, Civil Tech Engineering Inc., Austin, TX, shared information about the damage assessment program using the FEMA program; and Gary Struzick, vice president, Klotz Associates, Houston, TX, discussed Houston's flood control.

Two other sessions were on geotechnical issues with a focus on the earth's structures. "Embankments on Soft Clays: Issues and Challenges" presented by Prof. Serge Leroueil. University of Laval, Quebec, Canada; and "Lessons Learned From Retaining Wall Failures" presented by John Delphia, geotechnical engineer, TxDOT, Austin, TX.

A reception was held in the exhibit area following the conference where attendees had the opportunity to network with city, county and industrial leaders.