NEWS 2009

Posted December 15, 2009

Dr. Murthy Pariti, 11 December 2009

Funeral: December 16, 2009

Dr. Murthy Pariti of Edmonton, Alberta passed away peacefully at the age of 73 years on December 11th, 2009 surrounded by his family members. He is survived by his loving wife, Mrs. Surya Kantham Pariti, daughters, Annapurna Shastri (Ramakrishna Shastri) and Sushila; son, Jagannadh (Srivalli Indrani); grandsons Naveen and Neel Shastri; his siblings, one brother, P.B.S.N. Sarma (Kameshwari) and two sisters, Amba Kodukula and Kanakam Karri; his brother-in-law, Narasimhan Visvanatha (Sarala); his sister-in-law, Lakshmi Moorty (Satyam); as well as several nieces, nephews and friends living in Canada, U.S.A. and India. Pariti family sincerely expresses their thanks to the University of Alberta Hospital and Cross Cancer Institute for providing loving care and support. The family also thanks all their relatives and friends for all their support. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Hainstock's Funeral Home and Crematorium, Edmonton, Alberta. Wellwishers may like to choose to make, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Those we love, don't go away. They walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near still loved, still missed and very dear.

(From Edmonton Journal, December 15, 2009 - Click above link for original)

Posted October 14, 2009 (Updated November 13, 2009)

Event: November 26, 2009

Mr. Corey Froese, M.Sc. P.Eng., P.Geol., Alberta Geological Survey/Energy Resources Conservation Board - Urban Geology and Hazards Studies in Alberta: A Technology Update

In the 1970's and 1980's detailed studies as to the geology in Alberta's main urban centres, Edmonton and Calgary, were undertaken that to this day provide a basis for geotechnical and environmental studies and investigation. Fast forward three decades and the rapid pace of development in the province have provided a wealth of subsurface data not available during these previous studies. Coupled with advances in computing hardware and software and the availability of advance remote sensing data, there is an opportunity to significantly update our understanding of the subsurface conditions that impact our urban areas in Alberta...more>>

Posted September 29, 2009 (Updated October 27, 2009: references and presentation)

Event: October 27, 2009

CGS/GSE: Cross Canada Lecture Tour, Prof. Kyle Rollins - Lateral Load Analysis of Pile Groups Based on Full-Scale Testing

Engineers are frequently required to evaluate the lateral resistance of pile groups for loads produced by wind, waves, earthquakes and landslides. Although the behavior of single isolated piles is reasonably well understood, relatively little information has been available to guide engineers in the design of closely spaced pile groups...more>>

The CCLT is organized by the Canadian Geotechnical Society, with funding through the Canadian Foundation for Geotechnique.

Sponsorship provided by:

• AMEC Earth & Environmental
• BGC Engineering
• Golder Associates
• Reinforced Earth Company

Posted October 14, 2009

Event: October 27, 2009

CGS/GSE: Cross Canada Lecture Tour, Prof. Kyle Rollins - Drilled Shaft Side Friction in Gravelly Soils

To evaluate side friction, 28 axial tension (uplift) load tests were performed on drilled shafts in soil profiles ranging from uniform medium sand through well graded sandy gravel. Typical load-displacement (t-z) curves for skin friction in gravelly soils were developed. Measured load capacities were compared with capacities computed using equations proposed by Reese and O'Niell, Meyerhof, and Kulhawy. Reasonable agreement between measured and computed capacities was generally found for sandy profiles...more>>

Posted September 29, 2009 (Updated October 14, 2009)

Event: October 13, 2009

GSE: AEG/GSA 2009 Jahns Distinguished Lecturer, Dr. Edmund Medley - Of Elephants, Earthquakes, Caves and Hot Rock- Recent Geological Engineering Adventures

The Lecturer, a Civil Engineer/Engineering Geologist, describes the technical background of a Geological Engineer in the context of elephants. The broad technical skills sets of most Geological Engineers are excellent for the two-way translations of geology and engineering. Three recent case histories provide examples...more>>

The audience from the speaker's perspective:

Posted October 6, 2009

Event: October 13, 2009

UofA: AEG/GSA 2009 Jahns Distinguished Lecturer, Dr. Edmund Medley - Forensic Investigation of the Sea Cliff Incident, an Urban Catastrophe

Shortly after midnight on December 11, 1995, storm water started to leak from a century-old 6-foot brick sewer underlying the prestigious Sea Cliff neighborhood in San Francisco. The leakage eroded vulnerable dune sand soil to create a pit that grew uncontrollably to over 250 feet wide and 40 feet deep...more>>

Posted September 27, 2009 (Updated October 25, 2009: links to presentations)

Event: September 30, 2009

GSE: Annual Fall Wine & Cheese Event

Come out and connect with students and colleagues in the local geotechnical community!

We will be treated to three short presentations: Lisa Brown and Tai-Hoon Kim will be briefly sharing their academic research endeavours at the U of A, and Sierra Jensen will be reflecting on her volunteer experience with Engineers Without Borders in Zambia.