Welcome New Members in February 2025

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Welcome to the following new members of NASTT who joined in February! NASTT is ready for your fresh perspectives, expertise and energy. The NASTT trenchless community can’t wait to connect, collaborate and learn together!

 

Group Corporate & Group Government/Utility Members

Big River Trenchless and GeoServices

Ferreira Construction Co., Inc.

Freese and Nichols, Inc.

Hoerr Construction Inc.

Landmark EPC, LLC

Montgomery Water Works & Sanitary Sewer Board

Oakland County Water Resources

Sewer Equipment Company of America

Village of Pleasant Prairie

 

Be sure to check out this list of more than 80 new individual members and then connect with them in the NASTT Member Connect Directory.

 

Individual Members

Alberto Abarca, Tetra Tech, Inc.

Hamidreza Allahdadi, University of Texas at San Antonio

Marcos Allende, Skava Consulting

Kevin Alspach, AECOM

Fadilat Amisu, Fadilat

Elvis Anthony, Wade Trim

Joseph Anthony, Enbridge Inc. – Corporate Head Office

Bivek Basnet, Louisiana Tech University

Colby Baxter, Freese and Nichols

Shelby Berke, Muller Engineering Company

Heath Bryant, Colonial Pipeline

Marc Carmody, CDS New Zealand Ltd

Matt Chambliss, Montgomery Water Works & Sanitary Sewer Board

Prashant Chavan, University of Texas at Arlington

James Corbin, CJGeo Contractors

Kaylee Craplewe, University of Alberta

farhad daneshgar, University of Texas at Arlington

Preet Desai, University of Texas at Arlington

Kiran Dhakal, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Stephen Driscoll, Muller Engineering Company

Rajendar Dubai, Arlington County Government

Karina Esquivel, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Aileen Grecia Estrada, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Fatima Flores Almanza, City and County of Denver | Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI)

Grayson Fuller, Pond and Company

Gabriel Garcia, Haugland Group

Rahn Gentle, Montgomery Water Works & Sanitary Sewer Board

Frida Godinez Robles, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Olyvia Green, Burns and McDonnell

Hamdi Hamad, RS&H

Gantt Hartley, Montgomery Water Works & Sanitary Sewer Board

Liam Henderson, Apex Companies, LLC

Sheimberg Isaac, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Brent Johnson, CDM Smith Inc. – World HQ

Brad Jorgensen, Provo River Water User Association

Sahar Kamalou, Oregon State University

Brian Kelenc, Engineered Pipe Group

Ahmed Khedr, Concordia University

Ryan Leister, Hometown Septic Services Inc

Praneetha Lukka, University of Texas at Arlington

James Lupo, Colorado School of Mines

Elijah Megargel, Kleinfelder

Dylan Merlo, Woodard & Curran

Ayoub Mohammadi, University of Texas at Arlington

Delaney Morgan, Xcel Energy

Sireesha Mutnuri, University of Texas at Arlington

Rim Najmeddine, University of Texas at Arlington

Praneeth Chowdary Nelakuditi, University of Texas at Arlington

Nirakar Neupane, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Mark Neuroth, Stantec

Vu Nguyen, Pond and Company

Pranavi Ouppla, University of Texas at Arlington

Preyankkumar Parel, Enerinfra Private Limited

Stevie Parks, Las Vegas Valley Water District

Jaden Patel, Association of General Contractors

Vaibhav Patil, University of Texas at Arlington

Mohit Patil, University of Texas at Arlington

Honglai Peng, Georgia Institute of Technology

Franck Peng, Balsam Laboratory Company Ltd

Niveditha Pinamarukil Sunil, University of Texas at Arlington

Lola Preseren, Kent State University

Ruthvik Pulluri, University of Texas at Arlington

Preethi Rajashekar, University of Texas at Arlington

Sathish Ramasamy, Purdue University

Bryce Rogers, Louisiana Tech University

Sam Rowdon, CDS New Zealand Ltd

Nafisa Shafiullah, University of Texas at Arlington

Sharuk Shaik, University of Texas at Arlington

Fady Shweihat, Arcadis

Eswara Sistla, North American Society for Trenchless Technology

Nicholas Slowey, University of North Florida-College of Computing, Engineering and Construction

Andrew Taliaferro, CJGeo Contractors

Kyle Talmage, Montgomery Water Works & Sanitary Sewer Board

Ritika Talwar, CUNY

Giana Testa, Kent State University

Kayla Usko, Kent State University

James Vandervelde, Paragon Systems Testing

Carlos Vargas, Sewer Equipment Company of America

Amanda Waki, Fukunaga and Associates

Robert Weinert, Plummer

Mike Whitehouse, ISCO Industries – Headquarters

Samuel Wieland, Muller Engineering Company

Congratulations to the 2025 Ralston Young Trenchless Achievement Award Recipients!

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The Ralston Young Trenchless Achievement Award applauds savvy members under 36 who demonstrated excellence early in their career by making valuable contributions to the trenchless technology industry, achieving noteworthy professional success, and actively participating in NASTT. With their talent and ability, these impressive people are the future of trenchless.

KYLE R. FRIEDMAN, PE
Mountain West Trenchless Lead
Brierley Associates

Kyle is a geotechnical engineer specializing in underground construction, trenchless technologies and tunneling with both a B.S. and M.S. in civil engineering with a geotechnical concentration. A registered Professional Engineer in multiple states, his experience in the trenchless industry extends the full life of a trenchless project, including trenchless alternative analyses, developing and conducting geotechnical site investigations, preparing Geotechnical Data Reports (GDR) and Geotechnical Baseline Reports (GBR), design of trenchless crossings and specification development, HDD alignment selections and optimizations, as well as tunneling observations during construction.

Kyle has had an impactful presence within the trenchless community including 9 papers and presentations at various conferences within the trenchless and water/wastewater communities. He has been a key member of the field team during construction of several complex projects, including two award-winning projects: the Empire State Trail Box Tunnel and the Lake Isabella Dam Safety Modification Project.

The candidate has also been an active volunteer within NASTT and RMNASTT since 2019 and is currently an executive board member and Treasurer for the RMNASTT Chapter and is on the No Dig 2025 planning committee.

“Kyle actively advances and advocates for NASTT’s mission in every aspect of his career. He learns as much as possible about trenchless project success and risk mitigation while pushing the limits of current technologies. Committed to industry growth, he shares his knowledge with owners and contractors to promote awareness, understand possibilities, highlight limitations and ensure successful projects and satisfied teams.” – Anna Crockford, Senior Engineer, Brierley Associates

“Kyle plays a key role in the NASTT Rocky Mountain Regional Chapter and its annual Trenchless Elevated conference and Clay Shoot. He is instrumental in organizing, securing participation, moderating, and speaking at these events. Because of his involvement, these events provide valuable insights for trenchless contractors, engineers and owners.” – Jason Langer, General Manager, Underground Infrastructure Technologies

PHILL PERRON
Vice President, Projects
The Crossing Group

Phill is a Canadian professional with an accomplished career spanning logistics, supply chain management, and trenchless technology. Born in Kingston, Ontario, he earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the Royal Military College of Canada and a master’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the University of Hull in the United Kingdom.

He served for a decade as a Supply Chain Operations Officer in the Royal

Canadian Air Force. As part of a multi-generational military family, he was proud to contribute to Canada’s missions both at home and abroad. Over the course of his military career, he completed multiple missions and tours, earning commendations for exemplary service.

After transitioning from military service, Phill joined Lockheed Martin, where he supported the $60 billion C-130J Hercules In-Service Support Contract between Lockheed and the Government of Canada. In 2019, he brought his logistical expertise to The Crossing Group as Corporate Supply Chain Manager. There, he applied his military-honed skills to optimize operations for the company’s extensive fleet of over 60 trenchless spreads, significantly enhancing efficiency and agility.

Phill regularly attends the NASTT No-Dig Show and encourages young professionals and others to expand their networks and knowledge through NASTT education and regional chapter participation. He has been published in NASTT Trenchless for Gas Infrastructure Magazine and participated as a reviewer and subject matter expert editor for NASTT’s HDD Good Practices Guidelines, Fifth Edition. He is co-presenting “PacWave South Trenchless Construction – Geotechnical Considerations” on Tuesday, April 1 at the 2025 No-Dig Show in Denver.

“A distinguished Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, Phill has risen rapidly in the trenchless industry, becoming an executive at The Crossing Group by age 33. He leads the largest trenchless scope of the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) project and is dedicated to advancing the craft side of trenchless, developing young professionals into skilled technicians. His leadership and commitment to safety, efficiency, and industry growth have earned him respect across the field. His passion for education and mentorship makes him a true champion.” – Thomas Swinney, PMP, US Project Coordinator, The Crossing Group

“What sets Phill apart is not just his technical acumen but his visionary leadership. He commands the respect of everyone he works with, from the most seasoned professionals to the newest recruits. His leadership style, shaped by his experience as an officer in the Air Force, exemplified the importance of discipline, safety and mission-driven work. These qualities translate seamlessly into his role at The Crossing Group, where his approach to safety and performance sets a high standard for everyone around him. – Romeo Shiplee, PE, Director of Geotechnical Engineering, Campos EPC, LLC

Special recognition of Kyle and Phill will take place at the NASTT 2025 No-Dig Show in Denver at the Opening Breakfast.

Dr. Kimberlie Staheli, P.E. Inducted into NASTT Hall of Fame

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The NASTT Hall of Fame is pleased to welcome Dr. Kimberlie Staheli, P.E., President and Principal Engineer at Staheli Trenchless Consultants as its 2025 inductee. The Hall of Fame honors NASTT members who have made outstanding accomplishments and exceptional contributions to the advancement of the North American trenchless industry and NASTT. Kim is the 35th inductee into the Hall of Fame and as a trailblazer in the industry, the first female.

With more than 30 years of experience, Kim’s career began in 1992 after she received her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Her early work in the trenchless industry started at Hydro Group, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio, where she gained hands-on experience with a new technology in the United States – microtunneling.

 Motivated by her interest in soils engineering and tunneling, Kim earned a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University in 1996 and worked as a key member of a pioneering research team for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Waterways Experiment Station. Kim authored a landmark resource for the trenchless industry,  Installations of Pipelines Beneath Levees Using HDD, for the Pipeline Research Council’s Design, Construction, and Operations Committee.

In 1998, Kim co-founded Bennett Staheli Engineers with Dave Bennett, establishing one of the first consulting firms in the United States to specialize exclusively in trenchless pipeline techniques. Recognizing the need for more detailed technical understanding of trenchless methodologies, particularly microtunneling, Kim earned her Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2006. Her groundbreaking doctoral thesis, Jacking Force Prediction: An Interface Friction Approach Based on Pipe Surface Roughness, introduced a new method for predicting jacking forces in pipe jacking design. This work, which applied soil mechanics theory to estimate unlubricated jacking loads due to surface friction, has since become a standard methodology in trenchless design.

In 2007, Dr. Staheli founded Staheli Trenchless Consultants in Seattle, Washington, positioning herself as an expert on challenging projects in the Pacific Northwest, where highly abrasive, variable glacial soils present unique engineering challenges. As the principal engineer, Kim has led numerous successful trenchless projects, including those involving HDD, microtunneling, pipe ramming, and direct steerable pipe thrusting. Her approach emphasizes the importance of direct field observations, ensuring that her designs are informed by practical, real-world conditions. Even today, Kim continues to visit job sites, providing guidance on trenchless projects across the country.

Kim’s contributions to the industry extend beyond her engineering work. Her expertise is in high demand in legal settings, where she serves as an expert witness, offering clear, technically sound explanations of complex field challenges. Throughout her career, Kim has remained committed to advancing the trenchless industry through both practice and leadership.

Staheli has made significant contributions to the trenchless technology industry through her leadership roles and technical expertise. She attended the first No-Dig show in 1994 in Dallas TX and has attended 28 NASTT No-Dig Shows since that time. She first served on the NASTT Program Committee in 1997 and 15 times since, including for the upcoming 2025 show in Denver. She founded the Pacific Northwest chapter of the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT). Kim served on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Chapter for 4 years and as the Northwest Chapter chair in 2005. She was elected to the NASTT Board of Directors in 2010, serving nine years, during which time she was the Vice Chair,  Chair, Immediate Past Chair and Officer-at-Large. Her leadership extended to representing NASTT at the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) while advocating for the trenchless industry on a global level.

In addition, Kim was the Sacramento 2013 No-Dig Show conference chair and has been recognized for her outstanding service and contributions. In 2018, she received the prestigious NASTT Chair Award for Distinguished Service, and in 2022, her work was further honored with the NASTT No-Dig Show Outstanding Paper award, an award she also received in 2001. Kim’s contributions both as Chair, Program Committee Chair, and Conference chair include advancements she initiated which are now crucial to the structure and implementation of the No-Dig Show. The creation of the municipal scholarship program alone vastly increased attendance and boosted the value of the show to the NASTT membership as a whole. She adjusted the paper and track numbering system to a logical structure based upon the day, time of day, and position within the schedule; a format that all No-Dig attendees or any person who has read one of the technical conference papers will recognize.

Kim further initiated a methodology to understand attendee foot traffic to understand what topics NASTT membership is most interested in. Kim’s impact will be felt by all future members as NASTT staff use this blueprint to structure the conference and address the technical challenges and needs of members. Kim’s technical expertise is evident in her work as the lead author of NASTT’s Good Practice Guidelines for New Installations and NASTT’s Good Practice Guidelines Pipe Jacking and as an author for the pipe ramming and geotechnical investigations good practice guidelines. Kim has been a long-time instructor of the new installations course, donating many hours to its development and instruction before and after the No-Dig shows. She has published more than 60 papers with NASTT and has presented at No-Dig shows since 1996, cementing her status as a leading voice in the trenchless technology field.

She is currently collaborating with Georgia Tech, her alma mater, to advise on the development of a trenchless technology academic track. Her 30 years of professional experience span a wide range of trenchless methods, including HDD, microtunneling, pipe ramming, direct steerable pipe thrusting, and pipe jacking.

Described by her nomination supporters as a “tireless supporter” and “champion” of trenchless, Kim was also cheered for her passion and commitment to NASTT, multiple groundbreaking initiatives and mentorship of young professionals and women in the profession.

Upon hearing the news, Kim said she was “So very honored. I just love this industry so much! NASTT has given back to me in so many ways.” Kim especially enjoys seeing how many people benefit from the Municipal Scholarship each year.  “It touches my heart,” she said.

Kim’s induction will be celebrated at the NASTT No-Dig Show on April 1 during the Casino Royale. Purchase your ticket when you register to attend the conference.

NASTT Announces 2024 Outstanding Trenchless Paper Awards

Blog, Industry News, The No-Dig Show

NASTT is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 NASTT Outstanding Trenchless Paper Awards for New Installations and Rehabilitation. These awards recognize excellence by commending authors of the best NASTT No-Dig Show papers each year. The winning papers were presented at the NASTT 2024 No-Dig Show.

Download the winning papers or the full conference proceedings featured in the NASTT Trenchless Knowledge Hub.

NASTT 2024 Outstanding Paper – New Installation

Understanding the Importance of HDD Radii

Andrew E. Sparks, PE, Laney Directional Drilling, Highland, Utah
James G. Maingot, Laney Direction Drilling, Corpus Christi, Texas

About the Authors. Drew got his start in geotechnical engineering and likes to spend as much time above ground as underground by hiking, mountain biking, backpacking and canyoneering. Jimmy studied geology with plans to work in the oil and gas industry. A downturn in the job market led to HDD expertise and a career in trenchless technology. Jimmy observed how tooling performed in different situations and how tool wear was different with smaller radii for the same subsurface conditions.  “I also observed how required tolerances are often unachievable as designed,” he said. While Andrew understood the importance of providing an allowable radius to allow an HDD contractor some tolerance when drilling it was not until his discussions with Jimmy that he learned how important the tolerance is to construction and how his designs can make construction easier or more difficult.   That led to both realizing they needed to share their experiences so future HDD designs reduce project risk.

Both credit those they’ve worked with over the years for impacting their career.” I was blessed to learn from many outstanding engineers who shaped my knowledge and experience.  I owe all of them a great debt,” Drew shared.  “I’ve been able to learn more about construction engineering and how engineering decisions affect how a project is constructed- especially in the last six years.  This has made me a better, more thoughtful engineer.” Jimmy executed projects ranging from shore approaches, mountain crossings and other complex crossings. and has worked on more than 500 projects on 6 continents and 24 countries. “I’ve worked with many people who’ve impacted my career over the last 40 years, and I’ve tried to learn from each of them.” Jimmy says thanks. “Those experiences have shaped my career, and I hope that I can share some of that learned knowledge to others. “

Jimmy has spent much of his career traveling overseas, but his favorite place is at home with his family. Both Drew and Jimmy are members of NASTT and especially recommend the education programs and volunteer opportunities stay on top of industry concerns and resources.

Abstract. There are numerous rules of thumb used in the design and construction of HDD installations. One of the most frequently used is the design radius for HDD installations. Whether for steel, HDPE, or FPVC the rule-of-thumb design radius is often used as the final design radius. All too frequently, the design radius is also considered the minimum radius if a minimum allowable radius is not defined in the design. Because design radius affects the tolerances allowed for construction, this could place additional constraints on a project, which increases risk and project costs. In addition, the build rate that a contractor is required to maintain is directly affected by the design radius. If the tolerance window between the lower bound radius and the design radius is small, the contractor will have difficulty installing the pipe within the given tolerances. This paper reviews the purpose behind the rule-of-thumb radius, discusses the several radii used in HDD design and construction, and presents an approach to aid engineers and contractors in selecting appropriate radii and tolerances for HDD projects.

NASTT 2024 Outstanding Paper – Rehabilitation

The CIPP Quality Assurance Paradox

Tony Araujo, Paragon Systems Testing, Concord, ON, Canada
Chris Macey, P. Eng., AECOM, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

About the Authors. Like many, Chris Macey stumbled into trenchless technology early in his career. Tony responded to a phone call from an engineer who needed to test for ASTM D790 flexural properties on an engineering material he had never heard of before. “Those early days servicing the testing needs of CIPP clients were challenging because the properties which we measured didn’t always correspond with the client’s expectations for an installation,” Tony explained.  Where other industries had a more extensive history, Tony relied on curiosity, drive and innovation to find solutions. His competitive spirit stemming from being one of seven siblings may have contributed to his success too.

Years later, both Chris and Tony are looking back and ahead. “While there is so much that has been learnt, there is so much more we can do to extend the envelope as well improve on our ability to build new infrastructure and extend the life of existing infrastructure for the benefit of many generations to follow,” Chris says. Both agreed that the long-term value of testing needs to be known.  “Testing in the world of CIPP is both under-valued and under-used a as means to verify that what we built is what we actually need and intended to build,” Chris explained. “It’s investment related to capital cost investment of the asset we are building (never mind the life cycle cost), is so small and so easy to justify; it is hard to understand why it is so under-utilized.”

Outside of their adventures in testing CIPP materials, both enjoy traveling. Tony and his wife Maria have been exploring their favorite destination, Portugal, with Madeira Island and more parts of the mainland still on their itinerary. Chris and his wife Chrystal have been exploring Italy and learning about its more than 500 different varietals of grapes for making wine.

Both Tony and Chris are active members of NASTT.

Abstract.  Cured-place-pipe (CIPP) has demonstrated that it can be an effective rehabilitation technology when implemented within an appropriately managed project. Numerous specifications have been written to describe the processes which are required to ensure that the Owner is left with rehabilitated assets which will deliver the expected life extension of the asset. The processes included in these specifications typically reflect a balance between, on one side, the risk of a failure to meet design objectives and on the other, the cost, both in direct dollars and indirectly in administration and management, to minimize that risk.

While the first CIPP installation was completed in 1971, the first industry standard practice, ASTM F1216 was not published until 18 years later. Even though the standard has seen regular revisions since then, the recommended inspection practices have largely remained the same even while anecdotal evidence to support more rigorous practices has accumulated. Only very recently has published research based upon actual data from installations demonstrated the prevalence and magnitude of natural variation (lower mechanical properties and/or wall thickness) in CIPP installations.

In this vacuum, the content of owner specifications has come to reflect the individual specification writers experience or lack thereof with CIPP and their perception of the risk of not meeting design objectives. Using statistical and economic analysis of actual project experiences, this paper will demonstrate the risks and costs of a CIPP quality assurance process which has been informed by five decades of research and industry experience.

NASTT Congratulates its 2024 Trenchless Rising Stars

Blog, trenchless people

Trenchless Rising Stars are young professionals whose record reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in their contributions to the profession and increasing levels of leadership, responsibility and sphere of impact. These early career professionals have a track record that reflects a strong career trajectory and the potential to reach the highest levels of achievement in the profession.

David Agan
Bureau of Reclamation

How did you get started in the trenchless industry? By happenstance I got my start when moving from the East coast to Denver to work for Kilduff Underground Engineering. Todd Kilduff is a great mentor and proponent for the trenchless industry! During my initial interview, I had the opportunity to tour several trenchless projects, and it reinforced my desire to be involved in this field. Trenchless (new installations) projects involve all the cool and exciting aspects of geotechnical design – like ground behavior and classification, dewatering, support of excavation, ground treatment, risk evaluation, and horizontal excavation – often all in one project! By its nature trenchless is very interdisciplinary and getting to work with people in different areas of expertise really expands your knowledge base.

What career advice would you give to a young person? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Questions have potential to present different perspectives, open dialogue, show you’re engaged and interested and most importantly allow for the continuation of learning.

John Altinyurek
Kilduff Underground Engineering

How did you get started in the trenchless industry? My first introduction to trenchless technologies was thanks to my former manager at WSP, David I. Smith. He had asked me work on a project at DC, and the uniqueness of the concept immediately grabbed my attention. Later I had a chance to get involved heavily with microtunnels on the Bay Park project and realized that trenchless is the future of the underground construction industry.

How do you explain what you do to someone who has no idea what trenchless technology is? I usually ask them: “Have you ever had to change your way because the road was closed due to the road being half open? Trenchless avoids doing that.”

Who inspires you and why? My wife. She is always there when I need her. Unbelievable.

Daniel McManus
Stantec

How did you get started in the trenchless industry? I was working with Stantec as an intern in Walnut Creek, CA where I began to learn about trenchless methods and geotechnical investigations. During this time, I was able to work with and by mentored by an excellent group of engineers who I truly credit everything I know now to.

The best workday I ever had was … finding out that we were working on a project to improve the water supply in my hometown. It was a very wholesome experience to explain to my friends and family what I do and how the project we are working on will help secure the water supply in our town. Short deadlines can make it easy to have tunnel vision and only focus on the tasks you are assigned for a project. Hearing about this project taking place where I grew up is a constant reminder to me to put myself in the shoes of someone in that community to help better understand the impact of the decisions we make on every project in every community.

Bryce Carson
Bond Civil & Utility Construction, Inc.

How did you get started in the trenchless industry? I grew up in this industry. I started working on my first drill crew while still in school and I have been hooked ever since.

How do you explain what you do to someone who has no idea what trenchless technology is? We install pipes for underground utilities anywhere that it is not possible to simply dig a trench from the surface, typically under obstacles such as rivers, railroads or highways.  

What career advice would you give to a young person? To know what you know and what you do not know – that is true knowledge.

Share a challenge you overcame and what motivated you to push through? July of 2023, I joined a new company, Bond Civil & Utility, in order to start up a new Trenchless Division. Every day since has been full of challenges, but having the opportunity to directly shape the business is extremely motivating.

Amin Tehrani
North Texas Municipal Water District

How did you get started in the trenchless industry? My first exposure to Trenchless Technology occurred during my PhD studies, when I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Mo Najafi and Dr. Ellie Kohankar at the University of Texas at Arlington. This experience opened a new door for me in the field of civil engineering. I was fascinated by how innovative and beneficial trenchless technology methods are in overcoming the challenges of pipeline installation and maintenance.

Who inspires you and why? In the trenchless technology industry, there are many people who inspire me, but one person who stands out is Chris Macey. He received the NASTT Hall of Fame Award in 2018 during the No-Dig Show in Chicago, which was also my first No-Dig event. I had the privilege of speaking with him right after he received the award, and over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with him on various committees. What has always impressed me about Chris is his incredible modesty and down-to-earth nature. Despite his many achievements, he remains humble and approachable, which I find truly inspiring

What career advice would you give to a young person? Do not to be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes are an essential part of learning and growth. Don’t be discouraged if things don’t work out perfectly the first time. Instead, see it as an opportunity to try different approaches and learn from the experience. The key is to keep experimenting, be curious, and keep searching for the right solution. The most important thing is to stay persistent and never stop learning.

Brian Dorwart Inducted into NASTT Hall of Fame

Blog, Industry News, trenchless people

The NASTT Hall of Fame is pleased to welcome Brian Dorwart, Senior Consultant at Brierley Associates as its 2024 inductee. The Hall of Fame honors NASTT members who have made outstanding accomplishments and exceptional contributions to the advancement of the North American trenchless industry and NASTT.

As Trenchless Technology techniques were gaining popularity in the US during the late 70s, Brian Dorwart was working in the construction industry as a geologist, geotechnical exploration driller, and construction technician. Immediately following completion of his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, he started work with a geotechnical engineering firm diving into technical analyses, and management of projects involving geology, geotechnical engineering, underground construction, and geotechnical instrumentation. Dorwart has provided expertise on projects ranging from heavy construction of pipelines, tunnels, dams, and highways, to light industrial buildings and dynamic machine foundations. His area of specialization is the interaction of ground to excavation tools and/or natural environmental processes and ground modification for construction. This specialization has been applied to trenchless technologies including directional drilling, small to large tunnels, soil/rock stability in shoreline protection systems, landslides, during permitting, design, and construction. His management experience includes developing strategies for bid preparation, risk based design, conceptual design, research and development, construction engineering, forensic analyses, and consulting.

Dorwart’s extensive range of expertise in trenchless technologies has contributed to the industry and knowledge base through an understanding of the interaction of subsurface engineering and geology, leaving a legacy of technological advances within the industry and projects throughout North America.

In addition authoring more than 20 papers for NASTT No-Dig Shows, Dorwart has contributed papers or articles to AWWA, GeoStrata, ASCE, ISTT, Trenchless World, UCT, Geotechnical Instrumentation News, Trenchless Technology, DCCA, Tunnel Business Magazine, Geosynthetics, ASTM Geotechnical Testing Journal, US Rock Mechanics Conference, and the Society of Mining.

Upon being told the news, Dorwart responded, “This is quite an honor. I’m honored to just have been considered.” He discussed his commitment to spreading knowledge, getting new engineers excited about trenchless and advancing the profession. “Knowledge is key these days. The more we can pass it around the better. Somebody helped us. Somebody encouraged us,” he remarked. Brian is dedicated to paying it forward having spent a lot of time in the industry, especially in the early 90s as part of the Northeast Trenchless Association and the formation of the Northeast Regional Chapter by helping folks solve problems. “I try to support the young people and get them involved in presenting papers. My name doesn’t need to be on it,” he said. “They’re doing the work and gaining the experience. That’s just part of being an engineer.”

Brian’s induction will be celebrated at the NASTT No-Dig Show on April 16 during the Casino Royale. Purchase your ticket when you register to attend the conference.

Warren Environmental Set to Establish Roots in Georgia with Relocation

Blog, Industry News

[Gainesville, Georgia] – Warren Environmental and Coatings, LLC (Warren Environmental), a leading manufacturer of proprietary epoxy products and patented application technologies, is excited to announce its strategic relocation from Massachusetts to Georgia this fall. This move reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency, expanding its presence, and better serving its Approved Applicator Network.

The new 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Gainesville, Georgia, offers numerous advantages for Warren Environmental. The decision to relocate was driven by several factors, including improved logistical capabilities and enhanced operational efficiency. The location in Georgia will facilitate faster shipments of products, enabling Warren Environmental to better serve its expanding Approved Applicator Network. In addition, the new facility will provide operational efficiencies regarding optimized layout and design, up-to-date infrastructure, and additional space to accommodate the increased production and storage needs.

Company President Brian Brandstetter expressed his enthusiasm about the move, saying, “This relocation represents a significant milestone in our company’s growth. Our new location in Georgia aligns with our long-term goals and enables us to provide our applicators and their clients with quality and readily available epoxy products.”

As Warren Environmental relocates its manufacturing facility, it remains committed to providing the same high-quality epoxy coating system and excellent service that its applicators have come to expect. The company assures all existing and prospective applicators, as well as their customers, that this relocation will have little to no impact on their current operations. The relocation process has been thoroughly planned to ensure a seamless transition without disrupting operations.

The official address of Warren Environmental’s new headquarters is as follows:

Warren Environmental and Coatings, LLC
1596 Fulenwider Road
Gainesville, GA 30507

About Warren Environmental

Warren Environmental is a leading manufacturer of proprietary epoxy products and patented application technologies. Since 1996, Warren has protected or rehabilitated private and municipal clients’ water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the U.S., with safe and effective epoxy coatings for all environments.

For more information about Warren Environmental and its relocation, please visit our website at www.warrenenviro.com or contact info@warrenenviro.com.

North American Society for Trenchless Technology 2023 Innovative Product Award Winners

Industry News, The No-Dig Show, trenchless products

North American Society for Trenchless Technology Announces 2023 Innovative
Product Award Winners

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) announced the 2023 Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award winners at the NASTT 2023 No-Dig Show in Portland, Oregon. The Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award celebrates companies with a state-of-the-art product or service making a significant impact in advancing the trenchless industry in the areas of rehabilitation or new installation.

The selected winners met the highest-level of standards for each category. Products were judged on Innovation (concept, method, development); Value (need, advantages, cost); and Impact (sustainability, social/environmental responsibility and potential).

“It has always been a goal to bring breakthrough innovative trenchless technology to the forefront of the profession,” said Matthew Izzard, NASTT Executive Director. “The Innovative Product & Services Award is a testament to trailblazers whose skill, ingenuity and vision impact underground infrastructure development and improvement techniques, promote sustainability and protect the environment.”

Winners

In the category for New Installation, the award was given to Ditch Witch for its AT120 All-Terrain Horizontal Directional Drill.  Built to boost jobsite uptime, the AT120 gives underground construction operators the power and stability needed to push through tough ground conditions, streamlining fiber, pipeline and utility installation projects. As the largest AT drill in the world, the AT120 improves jobsite efficiency for previous mid‐ and maxi‐size drill owners, as it uses less drilling fluid, resulting in decreased jobsite waste, minimized cleanup and reduced environmental impact. For more information, contact Jeff Davis, HDD Product Manager at jdavis@ditchwitch.com or visit ditchwitch.com.

In the category for Rehabilitation, the award was given to Sunbelt Rentals for| PumpSentri, an advanced standalone bypass monitoring system that can fully integrate into a bypass pumping system. PumpSentri Remote Monitor allows for continuous real-time pumping system information to be sent to a cloud‐based platform for data logging system pressure, suction vacuum, wet well surcharge, flow, vibration, and all the engine telematics. This new technology allows for remote monitoring, and the ability to see what cannot be seen in a bypass system in order for the crew to precisely dial in to bypass operations and mitigate any potential issues before they occur. For more information, contact Ladd Gould, National Strategic Customer Manager at ladd.gould@sunbeltrentals.com or visit sunbeltrentals.com.

 

Finalists
NASTT also honors the finalists in each category:

New Installation

Vermeer Corporation for Vermeer D550 HDD | vermeer.com

 Rehabilitation

CPM Pipelines for BulletLiner SystemTM FFRP | cpmpipelines.com

CPM Pipelines for Acquaint’s Acquarius | cpmpipelines.com

HammerHead Trenchless for HydraSlitterTM | hammerheadtrenchless.com

HammerHead Trenchless for RS BlueLine System | hammerheadtrenchless.com

QuakeWrap, Inc. for StifPipe® | quakewrap.com

SAERTEX multiCom LP for SAERTEX-LINER® H2O | saertex.com

Sewer AI Corporation for Sewer3D | sewerai.com

Presentations about each product were made at the Innovative Products Forum at the NASTT 2023 No-Dig Show and are available online via NASTT on YouTube. To learn more about NASTT awards, visit nastt.org/awards. The award is named for the late Joseph L. Abbott, Jr., an active NASTT member since its founding in 1990 and a champion of innovation.

NASTT Announces 2023 Outstanding Trenchless Paper Awards – Rehabilitation

Blog, Industry News, The No-Dig Show, trenchless projects

NASTT is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 NASTT Outstanding Trenchless Paper Awards for New Installations and Rehabilitation. These awards recognize excellence by commending authors of the best NASTT No-Dig Show papers each year. The winning papers were presented at the NASTT 2023 No-Dig Show.

Download the winning papers bundle or the full conference proceedings in the NASTT Online Store.

Authors of both papers will give encore presentations at the NASTT 2024 No-Dig Show in Providence, Rhode Island.

NASTT 2023 Outstanding Paper – Rehabilitation

Emergency Trenchless Rehabilitation of the East Don River Trunk Sewer and the Highland Creek Interceptor.

Christopher C. Macey, Global Technical Practice Leader, AECOM, Winnipeg, MB

Bo Pajic, Program Manager, Capital Works Delivery, Toronto Water Division, Toronto, Canada

Kristy Gibson, Program Manager, Capital Works Delivery, Toronto Water Division, Toronto, Canada

 

About the Authors. The team that put together this year’s winning paper for rehabilitation is comprised of experts with the experience necessary to tackle an emergency situation during the COVID crisis. Kristy Gibson is a Senior Project Manager with the City of Toronto, where she has managed both linear and vertical infrastructure upgrade projects for Toronto Water since 2015. Bo Pajic is a professional engineer and has been with Toronto Water since 2010 and took the lead in developing the City-Wide planned Sewer Rehabilitation Program in 2015. Chris Macey, P. Eng. is a Vice President and the Americas and Global Technical Practice Leader for AECOM for Condition Assessment and Rehabilitation of Underground Infrastructure with more than 45 years of experience. 

“This project is important to showcase to the industry given its complexity and urgency, especially the Highland Creek site due to its proximity to the Scarborough Hospital,“ Pajic noted. “Trenchless methods allowed the repairs to be completed in a more expeditious manner when compared to open-cut replacement, which was critical during COVID.” Macey agrees. “This work was particularly critical and getting it done and getting the message out there means a great deal.” The City staff were also an important part of the team especially Richard Noehammer, William Shea, Garry Boychuk, Adam Zietara, Jian Lei, George Roknic, Irina Vasile. and Sarah Duff. Pajic and Gibson were thrilled to work alongside Macey, who In 2019 was elected to the NASTT Hall of Fame for his work in Condition Assessment and Rehabilitation. “We would like to thank Chris Macey for his steadfast contributions to the City of Toronto’s Sewer Rehabilitation Program,” they said.”As a leading industry expert, his knowledge and expertise on the Program and specifically in the completion of this emergency project was invaluable.”

Abstract. The East Don River Trunk Sewer (EDTS) and the Highland Creek Interceptor (HCI) Sewers are both critical sanitary sewers in designated ravine areas in Toronto, ON. Both sewers were originally constructed in the 1950’s and during the course of 2020 and 2021, they developed surficial sinkholes due to severe loss of ground into defects in the pipe and manhole structures.

The EDTS was a 1200 mm (48”) diameter pipe in very soft soils and the settlement had engaged 12 pipes with a maximum settlement of about 600 mm (2 feet). Its failure would have resulted in the direct discharge of large sewer volumes in the East Don River. The adjacent section had previously failed and showed signs of active deterioration as well due to loss of ground.

The HCI sinkhole was centered over a Maintenance Hole (MH) that was 9 m (30 feet) deep and had engaged 2 -900 mm (36”) pipes and approximately 4 – 1050 mm pipes (42”). The maximum amount of pipe settlement was about 400 mm (16”). Its failure would have engaged a bridge structure and would also have resulted in large sewage flows into the adjacent Highland Creek.

This paper captures the two separate emergency response efforts in 2021 and early 2022, where both locations were uniquely repaired using a balance of external ground stabilization techniques and CIPP lining with minimal ground disturbance. The HCI repair included MH lining and a single tapered CIPP tube shot with 4 different design sections (varying wall thickness and tube circumference).

NASTT Announces Abbott Innovative Product Award Finalists

Industry News, The No-Dig Show, trenchless products

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2023 Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award competition.  The Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award celebrates companies with a state-of-the-art product or service developed or re-launched in the last 2 years making a significant impact in advancing the trenchless industry in the areas of rehabilitation or new installation. Finalists will be judged on innovation (concept, method, development); value (need, advantages, cost); and, impact (sustainability, social/environmental responsibility and potential).

VISIT FINALISTS AT THE INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS FORUM AND IN THE EXHIBIT HALL

Competitors must be in attendance at the NASTT No-Dig Show as an exhibitor or sponsor and present a product overview at the Innovative Products Forum on Monday, May 1 from 9:55-11:35 a.m. in room D140.  Attendees can visit exhibiting finalists in the Exhibit Hall. Winners will be announced immediately following the Forum at the Exhibit Hall Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11:40 a.m. Presentations from all the finalists will be posted online following the No-Dig Show.

 

NEW INSTALLATIONS

Ditch Witch | Booth 119
AT120  All-Terrain Horizontal Directional Drill
Submitted by Sean Hubbard, Marketing Communications Manager

Vermeer Corporation | Booth 714
Vermeer D550 HDD
Submitted by Madison Devin, Product Marketing Specialist

 

REHABILITATION

CPM Pipelines | Booth 108
BulletLiner SystemTM FFRP  AND Acquaint’s Acquarius
Submitted by Chris MacDonald, President

HammerHead Trenchless | Booth 308
HydraSlitterTM AND RS BlueLine System
Submitted by Jeff Urbanski, Sr. Manager, Marketing & Training

QuakeWrap, Inc. | Booth 634
StifPipe®
Submitted by Firat Sever, Pipeline Division Manager

SAERTEX multiCom LP | Booth 232
SAERTEX-LINER® H2O
Submitted by Thijs Teepe, North American Manager, Pressure Products & Training

Sewer AI Corporation | Booth 454
Sewer3D
Submitted by Eric Sullivan, Director of Business Development

Sunbelt Rentals | Booth 615
PumpSentri
Submitted by Ladd Gould, National Strategic Customer Manager

 

“The Abbott Innovative Product Awards represent a fantastic opportunity to showcase ambitious developments from the trenchless industry and celebrate the companies making a difference in the profession,” praised NASTT Executive Director, Matthew Izzard.  “NASTT applauds these new opportunities and the teams furthering product innovation.” To learn more about NASTT awards, visit. nasstt.org/awards.