The Midwest Chapter of NASTT is pleased to present our upcoming 2026 Trenchless Technology Conference, taking place on October 6, 2026 in Detroit, MI. This event brings together professionals from across the trenchless technology industry for an engaging and educational experience.
Join us for a dynamic program that includes technical presentations, exhibitor showcases, and networking opportunities. Designed for engineers, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, and other industry stakeholders, this event will explore current challenges, emerging trends, and proven solutions in the trenchless field.
Key Highlights Include:
- Latest Trenchless Technologies & Methods
- Inspection, Leak Detection, and Asset Management Strategies
- Rehabilitation Techniques and Best Practices
- Regulatory Frameworks and Upcoming Standards
- Case Studies from Local and Regional Projects
- Opportunities to Network with Industry Leaders
Social Mixer
There will be a social mixer following the technical conference for attendees of this event. This will provide an opportunity for registrants to socialize and network in a more relax setting.
Who Should Attend:
This event welcomes NASTT members, non-members, students, and all trenchless technology enthusiasts interested in gaining insight, fostering connections, and advancing their work through knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best, expand your network, and stay informed on the evolving trenchless landscape!
To attend this event, you must log into your NASTT account.
Although you do not need an NASTT Membership, you will need to have an account. If you do not yet have an account, you can create one by visiting the NASTT Login Page, scrolling to the bottom and select “Create an account.”
Save the date for the WESTT 2026 Annual Conference in Albuquerque, NM!
This event brings together professionals from across the trenchless technology industry for an engaging and educational experience.
More information to come!
Join us for an educational luncheon on Navigating Geotechnical Risks in Urban Environments: Lessons from Amsterdam and Calgary.
This presentation explores the complexities of underground infrastructure development in sensitive urban environments through two distinct tunnelling case studies.
The first case study examines the high-stakes construction of the North-South metro line in Amsterdam. Following historic public resistance to open-pit construction in the 1970s, planners adopted Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology to minimize surface disruption. However, navigating a TBM through soft soils beneath a city, supported by 400-year-old wooden piles, posed a critical engineering challenge. This segment discusses the strategies employed to mitigate settlement risks and protect 17th-century heritage buildings from structural damage during tunnel excavation.
The second case study shifts focus to Calgary, Alberta, detailing the geotechnical assessment and execution of a trenchless storm trunk crossing beneath the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway right-of-way. The project, using a Herrenknecht AVN1800 Microtunnel Boring Machine (MTBM), involved installing a 63-meter concrete tunnel with a diameter of 2,224 mm. This section outlines the protocols required to secure a crossing agreement, including the geotechnical investigation, settlement analyses, and adherence to strict allowable settlement limits. It further reviews the implementation and results of the settlement monitoring plan, which successfully assured the safety of ongoing rail operations during the trenchless installation.
These projects highlight the role of geotechnical assessment and monitoring in overcoming the challenges of tunnelling beneath historic foundations and active transportation corridors.
Presenter: Remco Kleinlugtenbelt, M.Sc., P.Eng. – Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Remco Kleinlugtenbelt obtained his civil engineering degree in 2003 from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. After working in the Dutch, Hong Kong, and Australian engineering markets, Remco joined Thurber in 2016. He has expertise in tunnelling and trenchless technologies, geotechnical construction monitoring, foundation engineering, grouting techniques, including compensation and compaction grouting, as well as ground freezing. Remco is highly experienced in designing trenchless (railway) crossings. He has worked on numerous projects that enable clients in Western Canada to safely and efficiently cross CPKC and CN Railway tracks with their utilities, emphasizing safety and operational effectiveness.
Join the NASTT Northwest Chapter’s Edmonton Section for an engaging and informative symposium focused on Trenchless Technology in the local area.
This event is designed to provide a platform for education, networking, and showcasing local projects, products, and industry insights. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge and connections through a range of activities highlighting the region’s expertise and resources, including insights from clients, design professionals, contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers.
- Tuesday, June 16: NASTT’s Trenchless 101 Course covering the basics of installation and rehabilitation, followed by an evening industry mixer to connect with peers and professionals.
- Wednesday, June 17: A full-day symposium featuring exhibitor displays and presentations on the latest innovations and applications in the field.
This event is open to NASTT members, non-members, and students who are eager to explore the advancements and opportunities in trenchless technology. Don’t miss this chance to network, learn, and be inspired by the industry’s best!
Join us for an educational luncheon on Technical Specifications for Gravity CIPP Rehabilitation: Should You Stick with ASTM F1216 or Move to ASCE MOP 145?
For decades, the trenchless rehabilitation industry has relied on ASTM F1216 as the primary design and specification reference for Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) rehabilitation of gravity sewers in North America. However, after a newer structural design framework (i.e., ASCE MOP 145) was introduced in 2021, questions are emerging about whether the traditional F1216 approach remains sufficient for modern rehabilitation challenges. This presentation examines the practical implications of specifying CIPP designs using F1216 versus the newly introduced MOP 145. While ASTM F1216 provides a straightforward and familiar design method, it was originally developed for relatively ideal conditions and does not fully address challenges such as non-circular pipes, large deformations, significant defects, or significant variability in liner material properties. ASCE MOP 145 introduces a Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methodology that accounts for uncertainties in loads, material performance, and installation conditions. This approach allows more accurate and defensible liner designs while improving alignment between engineering expectations and contractor means and methods. This presentation provides practical guidance for Utility Owners, Engineers, and Contractors on when ASTM F1216 remains appropriate and when the enhanced framework of ASCE MOP 145 may offer better reliability. The session will walk through the procedural steps of both F1216 and MOP 145. Case studies and design comparisons will illustrate how both approaches can be applied to support informed specification and long-term performance of gravity sewer rehabilitation projects.
Presenter: Kay Awe
Kay is a Senior Trenchless Engineer at Stantec with technical expertise in structural design, geotechnical assessment, pipeline design, rehabilitation, failure analysis, and condition assessment. He is a registered professional engineer in Alberta & Ontario, and has worked on a wide range of trenchless projects across Canada and the US, utilizing cleaning and lining technologies for water/wastewater systems. Kay earned his PhD from the University of Waterloo and is very passionate about advancing the trenchless industry. He is actively involved in professional organizations through the ASCE/UESI Young Member Engagement Committee, NASTT Northwest Planning Committee, CUIIC Geotechnical Committee, and multiple AWWA pipe rehabilitation committees. He is also one of a few SMEs in North America currently contributing to the development of the first AWWA C623 CIPP Pressure Pipe Design Appendix.
