TRB Webinar: Fundamentals of Resilient and Sustainable Buried Structures

TRB conducted a webinar on Thursday, April 13, 2017, from 2:00PM to 3:30PM ET about buried structures such as culverts and bridges. Buried structures are an important part of state and regional transportation networks, which can be disrupted by extreme weather events. Repairing the damage after such events can challenge an agency’s resources and negatively impact the area’s economy by disrupting traffic. This webinar focused on how to improve buried structures’ resilience and sustainability so that they hold up over time, withstand extreme weather events, and minimize the use of natural and financial resources.

This webinar was organized by the TRB Standing Committees on Culverts and Hydraulic Structures and Subsurface Soil-Structure Interaction. A recording of the webinar and the slides are available.

Webinar Presenters

• Kevin Williams, Atlantic Industries Ltd.
• Eric Carleton, National Precast Concrete Association
• Michael Pluimer, Crossroads Engineering Services

Moderated by: Dan Figola, ADS Pipe

Webinar Outline

1. Overview of resilience and sustainability problems common to buried structures
2. Fundamental considerations and practices to achieve more resilient buried structures
3. Fundamental considerations and practices to achieve more sustainable buried structures
4. Case studies of more resilient and sustainable buried structure initiatives
5. Question and answer session

The first 60 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions. The Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP) categorizes this webinar activity as relating to health, safety, and welfare including core technical.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand how to improve the resilience and sustainability of buried structures
• Understand the components of a checklist to develop and maintain more sustainable buried structures, which minimize natural resource demands and environmental impacts
• Understand the components of a checklist to develop and maintain resilient structures by mitigating durability, hydraulic, and geotechnical and climate change risks
• Understand when buried structures are viable and appropriate
• Identify the span capabilities of buried structures and their installed construction cost vs. traditional bridges

Registration Information

There is no fee for employees of TRB Sponsors or TRB Sustaining Affiliates who register using their work email address. In addition to employees of TRB sponsor organizations, the following are eligible to receive complimentary webinar registration:

• TRB and National Academies employees;
• Chairs of TRB standing committees, sections, or groups;
• Members of the media;
• Employees of tribal governments; and
• Members of Congress or their staff.

Professional Development Hour Information

A certificate for 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) will be provided to Professional Engineers (PEs) who register and attend the webinar as an individual. For groups, only the person that registers and attends the session will receive a PDH certificate.

This webinar was developed in October 2016. TRB has met the standards and requirements of the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to RCEP by TRB. Certificates of Completion will be issued to individuals who register for and attend the entire webinar session. Complaints about registered providers may be sent to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005. Website: www.RCEP.net.