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

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Photo of Dr. Kim StaheliThe 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

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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

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[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.