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2007 Transportation Short Course:
For Chairs and Co-Chairs

Speaker Information and Needs

Session 17
Structures and Hydraulics II
Wednesday, October 17
Room: 601 Rudder Tower

Speaker: Alan Kowalik
Title: Bridge Inspection Engineer
Company: Texas Department of Transportation
Location: Austin, TX
Presentation Title: Recent Bridge Management Developments
Presentation Summary: Provide an update to the bridge inspection requirments.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: Alan received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in December 1985. After graduation he was hired as an Engineering Assistant to work in the Bridge Section in the San Antonio District. He was later transferred to the Pleasanton Area office of the San Antonio District where he received roadway design and construction experience. In 1993 Alan accepted a position as Field Engineer in the Construction Division and later went to work in the Bridge Construction and Maintenance Section. In 2001 Alan began to oversee the underwater and fracture critical bridge inspections for the Bridge Inspection branch of the Bridge Division and in 2006 was named the Branch Manager of the Bridge Management/Inspection Branch of the Bridge Division
A/V Needs: podium with microphone, LCD projector
Speaker: Dingyi Yang
Title: Bridge Field Engineer
Company: Texas Department of Transportation
Location: Austin, TX
Presentation Title: Update on FRP Composites for Repair of Bridges in Texas
Presentation Summary: This presentation will update the audience on the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in repair of bridges in Texas by presenting a number of repair projects of different applications and concluding with technical guidelines.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: As a bridge field engineer in the C&M Branch of Bridge Division the presenter has worked in the repair of bridge structures for more than 7 years including the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in repair of damaged bridges. He has worked with others in developing specifications/repair details, reviewing guidelines, and providing presentations regarding the FRP composites.
A/V Needs: LCD projector
Speaker: Harold Maier
Title: Bridge Project Manager
Company: Hirschfeld Steel Group
Location: San Angelo, TX
Presentation Title: A Fabricator's Perspective
Presentation Summary: Power point slide presentation of steel bridge fabrication issues.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: Been involved in the fabrication of steel bridges for TxDOT and other styates for 6 years. Primary roll is in the coordination with state agencies before during and after fabrication and coordination with the general contracters during the delivery and erection time frame.
A/V Needs: podium with microphone, LCD projector
Speaker: Gregg Freeby
Title: Bridge Design Group Leader
Company: Texas Department of Transportation
Location: Austin, TX
Presentation Title: Best Practices for Bridge Layouts
Presentation Summary: Presentation will provide guidelines for development of bridge layouts and illustrate common errors and misconceptions.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: I have been a bridge design engineer for over 20 years. In that time I have designed and detailed nearly all types of bridges. As a Bridge Design Group leader for the past 6 years I have reviewed several hundred bridge layouts.
A/V Needs: walk-around microphone, LCD projector
Speaker: Michelle Romage
Title: Transportation Engineer
Company: Texas Department of Transportation
Location: Austin, TX
Presentation Title: Storm-Induced Design Issues for Coastal Bridges
Presentation Summary: The storm-induced design issues for coastal bridges presentation will discuss what we know, research underway and some design options.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: I have worked within the bridge division for over 6 years. During this time I have served as a project advisor on a state project and as technical director on a national project to address the issues that can develop during a major storm on a coastal bridge.
A/V Needs: walk-around microphone, LCD projector
Speaker: Michael Hyzak
Title: Engineer
Company: TxDOT Bridge Division
Location: Austin, TX
Presentation Title: Bridge Superstructure Beam Types and Selection Criteria
Presentation Summary: This presentation is an overview of the range of bridge superstructure types used in Texas and provides criteria for their selection in specific situations.
Bio/Expertise Highlights: Mike Hyzak is a bridge engineer in the design section of the TxDOT Bridge Division, having served in this capacity for 9 years. He has designed various bridge types including prestressed concrete, structural steel, and segmental concrete carrying both highways and railroads. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
A/V Needs: LCD projector

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