Dr. R. Christian Jones
Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Policy
George Mason University

7:45 - 8:45 PM
Research I, room 163

Dr. Keneth A. DeJong
2007 Outstanding Research Faculty Award Recipient
Professor of Computer Science, George Mason University

3 - 4 PM
Research I, room 163

Note: RSVP required by February 14 to itevents@gmu.edu

Ryan Albert
US Environmental Protection Agency

7:45 - 8:45 PM
Research I, room 163

Walter Boynton
Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
University of Maryland

7:45 - 8:45 PM
Research I, room 163

Stuart Freudberg
Metropolitan Council of Governments

7:45 - 8:45 PM
Research I, room 163

Victor Bonardi
Director, Pre-Construction & Design Build Services
Forrester Construction Company

9:00 - 10:00 PM
Robinson B 113

Vic Bonardi is a registered architect, with over 30 years of design and project management experience on a wide variety of projects including educational facilities, hospitals, hotels, courthouses, specialized office buildings, and industrial facilities.

Mr. Bonardi has focused on managing design teams for PreConstruction & Design Build projects for over 20 years, and since 2003 has also provided leadership in the Forrester Sustainability Program. Since that time he has completed numerous LEED Certified Projects in the Washington Metro Area, for diverse group of clients ranging from the Federal Government to private developers. This extensive background and experience with design, construction and sustainability practices provides Vic with a thorough understanding of the most appropriate and economical strategies for achieving maximum benefits with LEED Certifications. He is a member of the Design-Build Institute of America, Society of American Military Engineers and is an accredited LEED professional.

Roger N. Anderson, Lamont- Doherty Earth Observatory
Anjan Bose, Washington State University
James A. Momoh, Howard University

12:30 – 1:30 PM
Room: 122 ST2

Second-by-second information sharing among households, utilities and even individual appliances may revolutionize the grids that distribute electricity throughout the country. Panelists will explore how to make the grid more resilient and nimble, saving energy and forestalling blackouts. This panel discussion is part of the Bridges to the Future Conference sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Popular Mechanics. More information is available at National Science Foundation

Marc Edwards,Virginia Tech
Mark Houck, George Mason University
Patricia Mulroy, Southern Nevada Water Authority
Jerald Schnoor, University of Iowa
Daniel Sheer, Hydrologics, Inc.

2:30 – 3:30 pm
Room: 122 ST2

Over the next generation, water supplies in the United States will face increasing pressure. Panelists will lay out the challenges, which range from leaky municipal water systems to growing populations, and explore technology to ensure that fresh water remains safe and plentiful. This panel discussion is part of the Bridges to the Future Conference sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Popular Mechanics. More information is available at National Science Foundation

Linda Figg, Figg Engineering Group
Antonio Nanni, University of Miami
Matthew Realff, Georgia Tech W.M.
Kim Roddis, The George Washington University
Yang Wang, Georgia Tech

4:30 – 5:30 pm
Room: 122 ST2

It’s been half a year since the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed. In that time, there has been fresh debate over how to fix America’s bridges and roads. Panelists will discuss state-of-the-art building technology and how such ideas should be applied to dams, buildings, roads and more. This panel discussion is part of the Bridges to the Future Conference sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Popular Mechanics. More information is available at National Science Foundation

Jag R. Bhargava, PE, PMP, CCM
Project Executive Property Development Division
U.S. General Services Administration

6:00 - 7:00 pm
Room 206, ST I

Abstract

GSA has just completed construction of a $400 million 2.5M GSF complex for the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters, on time and within budget. This ambitious project was delivered using the Bridging-Design/Build Method, which is a hybrid of Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build. This session will discuss the lessons learned by GSA in using the Bridging Design-Build Method and will further discuss how leadership, team building, and communication facilitated resolution of the many contentious issues that developed due to the use of this non-traditional method of project delivery.

A. Allen Bradley, Jr
Associate Professor, University of Iowa

3 - 4 pm
Room 204 Innovation Hall

Dr. Tony Cortese
President of Second Nature

10:30 AM
Harris Theatre

Bio

Dr. Cortese, ScD is the President of Second Nature which is a nonprofit organization with a mission to bring sustainability to universities.  He is the co-director of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment and the co-founder of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.  Dr. Cortese is the former Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.  He was the first dean of environmental programs at Tufts University and spear-headed the award-winning Tufts Environmental Literacy Institute in 1989.  He is a founding member of the board of directors of The Natural Step.  He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  He has served as a consultant to UNEP, and is a member of the EPA Science Advisory Board.  He currently is serving on the President’s Sustainable Development Education Task Force.  Dr. Cortese holds a B.S. and M.S. for Tufts University in civil and environmental engineering and a Doctor of Science and Environmental Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.  

10:30 – 11:30 am
Room: 122 ST2

A Comparison of Methods for the Assessment of Engineering Design Fees

Ms. Behnaz Bagherian

Abstract: 

In the modern history of engineering and architectural design, there is a wide variation in the methods used to assess fees for professional services. Unlike construction cost estimation where costs are based on objective factors of labors, materials, machinery, …, design services costs estimation are more subjective. The purpose of this paper is to review, compare and contrast different methods used for determining the cost of engineering design services, especially for land development engineering. A historical and legislative context will be given as well as the influence of different project delivery systems such as design-bid-build and design-build on design fees. A survey methodology for creating a parametric model for estimating engineering design fees will be discussed, although this method was ultimately not used for this research.

Assessment of Patriot Circle and Re-Design through use of Vissim

Ms. Elissa Goughnour

Abstract: 

George Mason is currently composed primarily of commuter students and as a result congestion on campus is a significant problem.  To alleviate some of the current traffic and pedestrian problems, in 2007 a geometric design class attempted to redesign Patriot Circle.  The redesign focused on making the campus more pedestrian and bicycle friendly and to address traffic flow concerns.   
Vissim, a traffic simulation software, will be used to expand on the efforts of the geometric design class.  Vissim was chosen because of its ability to model all of the modes and users of transportation on campus.  Additionally, Vissim is one of the most accurate tools for modeling roundabouts, which were incorporated into the campus redesign, due to its ability to take model the roundabout as an entire system.

Through use of Vissim, the current conditions on campus will be modeled and assessed.  The model will be calibrated to reflect actual conditions by changing such measures as vehicle composition, headway, and vehicle speed.  Certain performance measures, such as queue lengths, delay, and travel time will be used to verify the performance and accuracy of the model.  Once it is verified that the base model accurately reflects conditions in the field, it will then be changed to incorporate and evaluate the class geometric design.

11 am - noon
Room:122 ST2

Embodied Energy in Municipal Water and Wastewater Systems: Literature Review and Carbon Footprint Model Recommendations

Ms. Jamie Headley

Abstract

There is a strong link between water and energy in municipal water and wastewater systems.  From a total systems perspective, there is a significant requirement for electricity in the treatment and distribution of water as well as in the collection and treatment of wastewater.  Energy consumption or embodied energy associated with municipal water contributes to the emissions of greenhouse gases.  It has been observed that there is a gap in the analysis of energy use contributing to the carbon footprint of water utilities.  This research focuses on the review of previous works by others to quantify, estimate, and inventory the life cycle energy use associated with water treatment, wastewater treatment, piping, pumping, and end users.  The end result of this literature review is to establish objectives and make recommendations for the development of a carbon footprint model that would be useful to water and wastewater utilities in predicting their environmental burdens created by energy consumption.
 

Low Impact Development Decision Modeling

Ms. Janelle Wilson
Mr. Davis Chau

Abstract:

Implementation of Low Impact Development (LID) practices decrease the quantity and increase the quality of storm water runoff.   LID strategies also result in numerous social and economic benefits. When faced with multiple sites and design alternatives and a limited budget, how does an engineer select the alternative that will have the greatest overall benefit?    When evaluating environmental projects and options, it is important to take into consideration all important aspects without a near sided focus on one entity such as cost or technical performance.  Thus, when choosing a site and an LID strategy, one should consider a sustainable solution that is environmentally, economically and socially balanced.  This research project applies the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to the evaluation of suitable LID sites and practices.  The objective was to both identify the important criteria and to develop a suitable multi-criteria assessment methodology to assist in LID implementation.  The developed approach may be used by decision makers to determine sustainable LID solutions.  The effectiveness of the proposed concept is demonstrated by applying the model to sites located on the campus of George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.  Alternative LID practices for five sites were evaluated and ranked.  The results of the evaluation and the efforts involved in the development and implementation of the model will be presented in this seminar. 

1 – 2 pm
Room:122 ST2

Analyzing Complex Interdependent Infrastructure Systems Using Self-Organized Criticality and Computer Modeling

Mr. Nicholas Cook

Abstract:

While much work has been done to investigate the failures of a single self-critical system, a more complicated and less studied matter is the scenario in which two interconnected and interdependent networks experience unexpected failure due to a catastrophic event in one network.  In a situation in which such a failure occurs, simulation modeling can demonstrate the effects of failure in one system based on a secondary dependent system.  A useful model for studying the causes and effects of such events on two interconnected systems with uncertain interdependency is a simple sand pile model applied over a lattice structure.  This model allows for the study of trigger-based failure, self-organized criticality (SOC) within the system, and the consequences of both.  Using this model, a simplified simulation for the effects on ‘coupled’ or ‘stacked’ systems enduring catastrophic failure can be built to study these elements of causality and the systems’ response to large and small failures.

This research presents several experiments that simulate failures in two dependent systems in order to observe the effects and to determine if resiliency measures can be added to parts of the system in order to dampen the failure as it sweeps through the system.  Following these experiments, resiliency measures are added to these systems to determine the effectiveness of these measures in either (a) protecting the dependent system from failure or (b) truncating the event-size distribution of failures.  These two observations represent the goals of the system; protect the dependent system, or prevent catastrophic events in the independent system.

Safety Impacts of Longitudinal Pavement Markings

Mr. Gossai Abdelgadir

Abstract: 

Longitudinal pavement markings are tools that are often used for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic. Many studies throughout the US have raised concerns about the safety effects of longitudinal pavement markings after potential negative side effects were reported. These studies were conducted in deferent parts of the US and their results may not be applicable for other countries because of some differences in the nature of traffic system and identified data, but still it could be very useful in showing to what extent the longitudinal pavement markings can improve traffic safety. The main objective of this project was to study the effect of the centerlines and edge lines on the safety and level of service on urban and rural roadways. Nine different studies were reviewed in addition to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Oregon Department of Transportation Traffic Line Manual to provide a sound safety assessment of the effect of longitudinal pavement markings on the urban and rural roads.

Field Implementation of Variable Speed Limits on the Capital Beltway (I-95/495) for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project

Mr. S. Usman Ali

Abstract: 

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge project, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation, is proposing to implement a Variable Speed Limit (VSL) on the Capital Beltway (I-95/495).  The VSL proposal will be the first such implementation through an urban, congested work-zone, and will be installed for approximately six miles on the outer loop, and five miles on the inner loop through and outside the project corridor.

 The VSL system will be tested to determine if it is an effective work-zone congestion management tool, and with success could potentially be used on other work-zones throughout the region in the coming years.  The underlying concept behind VSL is called “Speed Harmonization”, which theorizes that the less speed differential between vehicles there is, the greater the throughput that can be achieved, without increasing capacity.

Jeff Russell, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department
University of Wisconsin, Madison

(Rescheduled from February 22 snow date)
11 AM
Johnson Center, Gold Room
 
Abstract

For several decades, educators and practitioners in the civil engineering community in the United States have been calling for reform of civil engineering education.  In 1995, at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Civil Engineering Education Conference (CEEC 95), some of the educational leaders of the profession believed that the time was right to begin the long road to reformation.  Their call for action ultimately resulted in the passage of ASCE Policy Statement 465 which states that in the future, education beyond the baccalaureate degree will be necessary for entry into the professional practice of civil engineering.  An ASCE Board-level committee was formed to study and implement the actions necessary to change the educational entry requirements in the future.  The purpose of this presentation is to discuss why change is needed, discuss a new vision for the profession, and describe the second edition of the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge (BOK).

Bio

Over the past 19 years, Professor Jeffrey S. Russell has established himself as a leader in education, research, and service to the civil engineering profession through championing diversity, leadership, innovation, and enhanced education for future civil engineers. He is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin. He received his BS degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and his MS and PhD degrees from Purdue University and is a registered professional engineering in Wisconsin.

Dr. Russell is a co-founder of the Construction Engineering and Management program at UW-Madison, one of only 7 programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). In the last 19 years, he has advised over 100 graduate students including 26 Ph.D. students. He has been a principal or co-principal investigator for over $16,000,000 of publicly and privately funded research. He has published over 200 technical papers in the areas of contractor failure, pre qualification, surety bonds, construct ability, automation, maintainability, warranties, and quality control/quality assurance. He has published two books—Constructor Pre qualification (1996) and Surety Bonds for Construction Contracts (2000)—and is currently under contract to complete a third book in the area of design for construct ability and maintainability. His research has been recognized by his peers through his selection for over 12 national and regional awards and 5 best paper awards. Awards include the National Science Foundation (NSF) Presidential Young Investigator (1990), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Cooling Prize (1991), ASCE Edmund Friedman Young Engineering Award (1993), ASCE Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize (1996), ASCE Thomas Fitch Rowland Prize (1996), Outstanding Researcher of the Construction Industry Institute (2000), ASCE President’s Medal (2003), NSF Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (2004), Engineering News Record Newsmaker (1996 and 2005), ASCE William H. Wisely Civil Engineer Award (2005), National Society of Professional Engineers Engineering Education Excellence Award (2005), Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers Engineering Educator Award (2007), and the ASCE ExCEED Leadership Award in Education (2007).

Russell served as editor-in-chief of the ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering (1995-2000) and as founding editor-in-chief of the ASCE publication Leadership and Management in Engineering (2000-2003), during which time he organized special issues on diversity, public policy, career management, globalization, and information technology. He served on the ASCE Board of Direction (1997-2000), and he is active with the student chapters of ASCE and Chi Epsilon, the civil engineering honor society.

He is presently Chair of the ASCE Committee on Academic Prerequisites for Professional Practice. The Committee is charged with defining the future education requirements necessary to practice civil engineering at the professional level.

Mr. Kevin M. Morley
September 13, 2007, 7:20 -10:00 pm
Enterprise Hall, room 278

Abstract

An overview of the key legislative, regulatory and Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPD's) that are shaping the way the nation's water utilities are dealing with security will be presented. The discussion will also provide a review of many core areas of research underway at the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security and by others. In addition, the supporting activities of major water sector organizations to address issues identified since the implementation of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 will be discussed including implementation of the Water Sector Specific Plan.

Bio

Kevin M. Morley is a regulatory and security analyst for the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Security is one of the primary issues he has addressed since joining AWWA in 2003. In this role he works closely with a variety of federal organizations tasked with securing the nation's critical infrastructure, including DHS, EPA, and CDC. Prior to AWWA, he worked with Delon Hampton & Associates where he was involved in several security projects, which included a vulnerability assessment for a major urban water utility in the mid-Atlantic region, and perimeter security for the U.S. Supreme Court, the Thurgood Marshall Federal Building and the office complex of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Mr. Morley has been trained in the RAM-W vulnerability assessment method developed by Sandia National Lab and the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF).

The International Association of Emergency Managers recently awarded Mr. Morley with their 2006 Partners in Preparedness Award for leading AWWA collaboration with USEPA to facilitate the growth of mutual aid and assistance networks among water and wastewater utilities. In addition, The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) awarded Mr. Morley with the 2007 Distinguished Leadership in Critical Infrastructure Resilience Award for working to advance mutual aid and assistance in the water sector.

Mr. Tom Mawson, Mr. Mike Rolband, and Ms. Lisa Rauenzahn
September 17, 2007, 7:20 -10:00pm
Research I, room 163

Abstract

Everyone knows that the Brundtland Report (1983) defines sustainable development as:
"...development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

A distinguished panel of experts, through a dynamic question and answer session, will address questions such as:

• What is the practical definition of sustainable development?
• What is the state of sustainable development in Northern Virginia?
• What are some of the challenges to sustainable development in northern Virginia?
• What are some of the advantages of sustainable development?
• How is sustainable development measured?

Bio

Mr. Tom Mawson is Executive Director of the US Green Building Council, National Capitol Section. Mr. Mike Rolban is President of Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. Ms. Lisa Rauenzahn is Editor of the 3rd Edition of the Land Development Handbook.

Mr. James O'Brien, P.E.
American Society of Civil Engineers
September 21, 2007 11:00 am - noon
Johnson Center room F

Dr. Michael Casey
September 26, 2007, 3:00 - 4:00pm
Science and Tech I room 112

Abstract

In Civil Engineering and in many other disciplines, there is an increasing need for post-graduate training. Employers expect deeper knowledge and more specialized skills. They also hire, more rapidly promote, and pay more to those with advanced degrees. For Professional Engineers, the criteria for licensure are expected to change in the near future to require post-graduate study. Never before has an advanced degree been more important for a successful career. In this seminar, we will cover the basics of graduate school options for undergraduate engineering students. From MBAs to PhDs, we will cover what options and degree programs are available, when you need to apply, what admissions exams may be needed, how to secure funding, and how to get involved with research. The graduate programs offered by CEIE, including the accelerated BS/MS program as well as our Certificates, Master of Science, and PhD degrees will be discussed. All CEIE undergraduate students are encouraged to attend.

Download the Seminar Slides

Mr. Charles V. “Casey” Dinges
Dr. Andrew Nowak
Septmber 28, 2007 11 am - noon
Johnson Center, 3rd floor, room F

Download the seminar slides:
Download the seminar slides:

Abstract

The recent collapse of the I-35W highway bridge in Minneapolis has raised many questions about the safety of our bridges and the general condition of our infrastructure.  It is a critical issue since our built infrastructure creates a physical environment for all our activities, professional and personal, and much of this infrastructure was built more than 50 years ago. Infrastructure failures call into question our commitment as a nation to the proper maintenance and management of these public assets.

The seminar will address two interrelated topics.  First, Charles V. Dinges, the Managing Director for External Affairs of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), will report on the ASCE efforts to evaluate the state of the USA infrastructure.  In this context, Andrew S. Nowak, a bridge structural reliability expert of international reputation, will talk about the recent bridge collapse in Minneapolis.  Finally, we will have a short discussion focused on infrastructure reliability and education.

Bio

Casey Dinges serves as the Managing Director for External Affairs of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).  This division includes the Government Relations and Communications Departments, along with the Society’s K-12 Outreach and Diversity programs. Mr. Dinges headed the team that developed ASCE’s highly regarded Report Card on America’s Infrastructure program. 

Andrzej S. Nowak is the Robert W. Brightfelt Professor of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prof. Nowak’s area of expertise is structural reliability and bridge engineering. He has made important contributions in the area of bridge diagnostics and evaluation, including analytical load models used for prediction of extreme load events for bridges and buildings.

0.1 CEUs

Dr. Glenn Moglen
October 11, 2007, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Student Union Building II, room 3

Abstract

Urbanization has long been identified as the source of amplified flooding, poor water quality, and other forms of environmental degradation. The use of percent impervious area to characterize the degree of urbanization within a watershed has become standard practice. Research suggests that negative impacts on the environment correlate well with impervious area in excess of 10 to 15 percent. Here we examine the large variance in imperviousness measurements that results from different methods and data sources. We demonstrate further complications arising from the drainage network organization of imperviousness across the landscape. Finally, we provide caveats and recommendations regarding policies that seek to limit imperviousness.

Bio

Glenn Moglen is an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Maryland. He is also an Associate Research Scientist at the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education. Dr. Moglen's research interests include urban hydrology, land use change, and the use of geographic information systems (GIS) for hydrologic modeling and monitoring.

0.1 CEUs

Dr. Garrick Louis
October 11, 2007 7:20 -10:00pm
Enterprise Hall, room 278

Abstract

Sustainable infrastructure assures sustained access to essential services to successive generations of users, with no net lifecycle economic, environmental or social cost. Infrastructure such as water, wastewater, solid waste, transportation, energy, and telecommunications, is necessary for the functioning of industrial societies. Interruptions in access to the expected quality and volume of the related services have serious adverse implications for human health, and the welfare of society.   The first goal of sustainable infrastructure systems is to indemnify infrastructure against perturbations in the access to service that can arise from four classes of hazard; routine operations, acts of nature, sabotage, and chronic incapacity to satisfy the demands for service over the infrastructure’s lifecycle. The second goal of sustainable infrastructure is to provide access to services over their lifecycle without a net increase in economic, environmental and social cost over benefit. This paper uses water and wastewater systems to define the concept of sustainable infrastructure. It classifies the four categories of hazard to this infrastructure and discusses how the risks associated with these hazards may be calculated. It examines the link between infrastructure and development, with an emphasis on access to basic human services in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. It closes with a discussion of why this issue is of personal importance to all of us, and what we can do to improve access to infrastructure-based services in developing communities.
Key Words: Sustainable Infrastructure, Capacity Building, Development, Technology Acquisition

Bio

Garrick Louis is Associate Professor of Systems & Information Engineering, and Civil Engineering at the University of Virginia. He is currently an AAAS Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources (EENR) Fellow at the Environmental Protection Agency, working in the National Center for Environmental Research. His research and teaching interests are in sustainable infrastructure, smart growth, and service learning, with a special emphasis on engineering for developing communities. Garrick received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Howard University, his Masters degree in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his PhD in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. He has taught Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at the Rosa Parks campus of the College of New Rochelle in Harlem New York, The State University of New York Maritime College, at Carnegie Mellon University, and at the University of Virginia. He was a Warren Weaver Fellow in the Global Environment Division of the Rockefeller Foundation from 1994-1995. Garrick has published over 80 journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings, and received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from the National Science Foundation in 2000. Garrick grew up in Trinidad & Tobago before moving to the Bronx, New York, and is always and only a humble servant.

0.2 CEUs

Ms. Laurel Shultzaberger
October 18, 2007 7:20 -10:00pm
Enterprise Hall, room 278

Abstract

The presentation will provide an overview of Disaster Preparedness from the wastewater perspective. It will use real life scenarios to show how the plant prepares for and deals with the aftermath of a disaster or emergency.

Bio

Ms. Shultzaberger is Fairfax County's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services and Environmental Management Systems Coordinator for the Wastewater Management Program. She is responsible for coordinating security and emergency response for the Wastewater Treatment Division. Ms. Shulzaberger graduated from George Mason University in 2001 with a Master's degree in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering with a concentration in water resources management.

0.2 CEUs

Dr. Martin Ebner
Dr. Sivand Lakmazaheri
October 19, 2007 11:00 am - noon
Robinson Hall, room A246

Abstract

E-learning is becoming a practice in civil engineering in this country and in Europe. The seminar will examine the major characteristics of e-learning on the both side of Atlantic in the context of using the best practice at GMU.

Bio

Dr. Martin Ebner, teaches at the IT Center for Teaching Technologies and the Civil Engineering Department of Graz Technical University in Austria.  Dr. Sivand Lakmazaheri is President of Educative Technologies, Inc. in Fairfax, Virginia

0.1 CEUs

Mr. David Binning, PE
November 8,2007 7:20 -10:00pm
Enterprise Hall, room 278

Abstract

A look at security as seen by those charged with the responsibility of building, operating and maintaining a community water system. The discussion will view public water system security in the context of local politics, budgets, time constraints and institutional culture. The use of risk-based vulnerability assessment will be evaluated as a tool for achieving measured risk reduction. A nationally emerging consensus of the fundamental features of an effective and active security program at the local water-producer level will be explored together with the incentives to encourage implementation.

Bio

Dave Binning is the Director of Infrastructure Programs at Applied Engineering Management Corporation. During the past year, he has been working with the US Department of Homeland Security and the US Environmental Protection Agency developing an assessment framework for evaluating risk exposure and resilience of the US water & wastewater sector. He recently retired at the Chief Engineer of Fairfax Water, providing public water services to 1.2 million people in Northern Virginia. His team designed and constructed a 150 MGD water treatment plant in Lorton on the Occoquan River and a 75 MGD water treatment plant expansion on the Potomac River and a 120 MGD water treatment plant on the Occoquan River. He has 40 years experience as a designer, operator, manager and construction manager of utility systems. Prior to joining Fairfax Water, Mr. Binning held a number of positions in Public Works and Utility Management. While with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he led the design team which developed the first computer-based wastewater treatment plant design program (CAPDET) for the Environmental Protection Agency. He later served as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Director of Infrastructure providing water and wastewater utility system security for the 16-member nations. During the Reagan Administration Mr. Binning served as the Engineer of the White House, responsible for planning, construction and maintenance of presidential support facilities across the country. He is a retired U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps Captain, having commanded Seabee Battalions in Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific.

0.2 CEUs

Mr. Stuart A.Freudberg
Mr. James W. Shell, Jr.
Mr.Steven Bieber
Dr. William van der Schalie
Mr.Tommy R. Shedd

November 29, 2007 7:20 -10:00pm
Student Union Building 2, rooms 1 and 2

Abstract

• Overview of COG and Regional Emergency Coordination Planning
• Overview of Regional Water Supply Emergency Plan
• Selected Water Security Event Case Studies in the NCR since 9/11
• Overview of Regional Water Security Projects in the NCR Water Security
• Contamination Warning Network
• Contamination Warning Modeling
• Redundancy Study
• Emergency Operations Plan
• Biomonitoring--the Ft. Detrick System
• General Q&A

Bio

Mr.Stuart A. Freudberg, Director Environmental Programs, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Mr. James W. Shell, Jr., Principal Water Resources Planner, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Mr.Steven Bieber, Water Resources Technical Manager, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Dr. W.H. van der Schalie, US Army Center for Environmental Health Research, Ft. Detrick

Mr. Tommy R. Shedd, US Army Center for Environmental Health Research, Ft. Detrick

0.2 CEUs

Mr. Michael Sanio Professor Danijl Reboij Professor Mohamad Ali
November 30, 2007 11 am - noon
Johnson Center, 3rd floor, room D

Abstract

This presentation will consider three perspectives on the future of civil engineering education: the ASCE global perspective, a European perspective, and civil engineering education in Iraq today and tomorrow.

Bio

Mr. Michael Sanio, P.E., is ASCE Managing Director for Global Projects.

Professor Danijl Reboij teaches at the University of Maribor in Slovenia.

Dr. Mohamad Ali is Professor and Chair of the Civil Engineering Department, Technical University of Basra, Iraq, and Visiting Scholar in the CEIE Department of George Mason University.

0.1 CEUs

Mr. Young Kim Ms. Maria A. Pena Mr. Chad Greene
December 5, 2007 9 - 10.30 am
Science&Technology 2 Room 122

Abstract

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Parametric Building Modeling Technology are changing the application of technology in the design, construction and management of civil engineering projects. Especially in buildings, BIM is used to visualize and evaluate the interaction of structural and mechanical components in a fully 3-dimensional environment.  BIM is used to represent the physical properties of objects including materials, textures, costs, parametric design properties, and logical interactions with other components.
There is a need to extend BIM tools into civil and transportation design, where, for the most part, elements are still designed using a CAD or Object CAD-based approach, where the 3D visualization relies on the quality of the users and interactions between components are implicitly depicted rather than explicitly modeled. In this seminar, a case study in BIM applied to transportation design will be introduced along with some examples of how BIM can be implemented in actual highway/transportation projects using the Revit Architecture® from Autodesk®, software created specifically for building design.

Bio

Young-Hoon Kim is currently working in the Civil Engineering Department at HNTB Corporation in Arlington, Virginia. He is currently doing highway design for the I-95/395 H.O.T. (High-Occupancy Toll) Lanes Projects as well as other minor transportation projects in Virginia.  His skills include transportation design and modeling, CAD, GIS, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software applications.  Mr. Kim is a graduate of the National University of Honduras (UNAH) in 1997 with a B. S. in Civil Engineering and will be completing his M.S. in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering at GMU in December 2007.

Abstract

To protect designated uses of streams and rivers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the 303 (d) section of the Clean Water Act require states to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for those waterbodies that exceed the quality standards. The TMDL is the total amount of pollutant a stream can receive without violating water quality standards. The TMDL process establishes the allowable loadings of pollutants for a waterbody based on the relationship between pollution sources and in stream water quality conditions, this way the states can establish control methods to reduce pollution from different sources, and restore and maintain water quality on the rivers. There are two methods to develop TMDL’s: field monitoring and mathematical/computer modeling. Mathematical models provide an alternative to field monitoring that can potentially save time, reduce cost, and minimize the need for testing management alternatives. However, the uncertainty of the model results is a major concern. The determination of the pollutant load distribution among different pollutant sources in a watershed is a critical step in total maximum daily load (TMDL) development. Variations of certain parameters such as flow and Water quality may have an impact on the allocation determination, and as a consequence in management strategies.

Bio

Maria  A. Pena is an Engineer in Training (EIT) who graduated as Mechanical Engineer from “Universidad Simon Bolivar” in Venezuela. She is pursuing a Master degree in Civil, and Infrastructure Engineering from GMU in order to combine and integrate Environmental aspects to her work to make engineering more sustainable.  She has been working as teacher assistant, and also in TMDL projects with George Mason faculty members as well as Louis Berger Group for more than a year. More over, she is interested in getting her PhD to integrated more aspects such as Land Development and Water Resources to her career.