2020 Memphis Bar Association Lunch & Learn

Dr. Gennaro G. Marino, P.E., D.GE will be presenting “Use of Expert Forensic Engineering Investigations” on March 10th, 2020 at the Memphis Bar Association Lunch and Learn. The objective of this presentation is to provide attendees an understanding of all the components of expert forensic engineering investigations from an expert’s vast experience in resolution proceedings involving engineering related matters. With such an understanding, attorneys involved in such cases will have better control and efficiency in processing such cases. The presentation will include review of the various elements of how an engineering failure can occur and how to proceed in investigating and prosecuting such cases. Key case examples which the author was intimately involved in will be introduced to illustrate and provide clarity to important concepts. Although the focus of the cases presented here is geotechnical engineering in nature, many of the concepts or principles disseminated through these cases would be applicable and beneficial in resolving other expert forensic engineering cases. Also, at the end of the presentation, some procedural advice is provided from the expert’s perspective.

2020 Indiana Structural Engineers Association (ISEA) Conference

Dr. Gennaro G. Marino, P.E., D.GE will be presenting “GeoConstruction Difficulties – What Went Wrong?” on March 5th, 2020 at the 2020 ISEA Spring Conference. This presentation will provide an overview on various ways that a geoconstruction project can go wrong. This overview will be illustrated with salient case history examples which the presenter has been involved in over his almost 40 years of conducting geoforensic investigations. MEA has been involved in cases which involved claims of up to about $1 billion dollars. Also discussed will be the objectives in performing a forensic investigation, and the key factors in performing such an investigation.The presentation will conclude with a summary of key points when encountering geo-construction difficulties. Although this presentation concerns geoconstruction, principles discussed would apply to other areas of engineering.

2020 Indiana Kentucky Geological Survey (IKGS) Meeting

Dr. Gennaro G. Marino, P.E., D.GE will be presenting “Response of Petro Pipelines to Ground Movements from Geohazards” on February 20th, 2020 at the Indiana Kentucky Geological Survey  meeting.This presentation will provide an overview on When transmission pipelines are planned in areas prone to sliding, EQ induced movements, or land subsidence, there is considerable concern for the integrity of the pipeline. These different geohazards are discussed in terms of the various resulting ground deformation patterns and risk of occurrence. The stress here will be risk management (frequency of occurrence and severity of damage) of these various forms of movements on pipeline integrity. In this presentation, the various types of movement will be related to different modes of the pipeline behavior and how to assess potential integrity issues when siting the line or an existing line. Finally, monitoring and mitigation measures will be discussed to avoid pipeline damage. Salient examples of ground movement effects on pipelines will be presented for the purpose of illustration. From attending this presentation, participants should be able to identify key pipeline concerns and mitigation alternatives for various geohazards.

MNSEA – Minneapolis

Dr. Gennaro G. Marino, P.E., D.GE will be presenting “Geo-Construction Problems – What Went Wrong” on December 10th, 2019 at the Minnesota Structural Engineers Association Breakfast meeting. This presentation will provide an overview on various ways that a geo-construction project can go wrong. This overview will be illustrated with salient case history examples which the presenter has been involved in over his almost 40 years of conducting geo-forensic investigations. MEA has been involved in cases which involved claims of up to about $1 billion dollars. Also discussed will be the objectives in performing a forensic investigation, and the key factors in performing such an investigation. The presentation will conclude with a summary of key points when encountering geo-construction difficulties. Although this presentation concerns geo-construction, principles discussed would apply to other areas of engineering.

Structural and Geo-Confluence

Dr. Gennaro G. Marino, P.E., D.GE will be presenting “Encountering Geo-Construction Difficulties” at the November 8, 2019 Structural and Geo-Confluence at the St. Charles Convention Center, St. Charles, MO.This presentation will provide an overview of what constitutes a geoforensics investigation of a geo-construction problem. In addition to providing basic to detailed definitions of geoforensics, the presentation will summarize all the key components of a forensic investigation, and the varied causation components to the failure or problem. Each component will be discussed in detail with salient examples of actual case histories the presenter has investigated. MEA has been involved in cases which involved claims of up to about $1 billion dollars. Also discussed will be how a contractor should proceed once a potential geo-construction problem is identified, including do’s and dont’s of how to approach geoforensics investigations. The presentation will conclude with a summary of key points when encountering geo-construction difficulties.

ASME South Texas – Houston

Dr. Gennaro G. Marino, P.E., D.GE will be presenting “Undermining Oil and Gas Pipeline integrity resulting from Subsidence” at the ASME South Texas in Houston, TX on September 19th at 7:15pm. When transmission pipelines are planned to be undermined by longwall mining, there is considerable concern for the integrity of the pipeline. With longwall mining, there is typically significant associated subsidence movement. As a result, oil/gas transmission lines are exposed to subsidence induced axial tensile or compressive stresses and bending stresses as well as stress concentrations in associated appurtenances. With the use of case histories, this presentation will discuss the nature of longwall ground movements, the role the backfill properties play in the induced stress, and means to monitor and mitigate those stresses. The presentation will also include important aspects of analysis when evaluating subsidence effects.

ISPE Boot Camp – Springfield

Dr. Gennaro G. Marino, P.E., D.GE will be presenting “Geoforensics for Engineers” at the ISPE Boot Camp in Springfield, IL. Exact dates and times for this presentation will be released soon!This presentation will provide an overview of what constitutes a geoforensics investigation. In addition to providing a basic to detailed definition of geoforensics, the presentation will summarize components of a forensic investigation and the varied causation components to the failure or problem. Each component will be discussed in detail with salient examples of actual case histories the presenter has investigated.Although case histories discussed are geotechnical in nature, the principles are directly applicable to civil engineering problems. In performing geoforensic investigations, the standard of what “a reasonable degree of engineering certainty” means will be discussed. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of lessons learned based on the presenter’s experience.