Agenda
.png)
*Please note that dates and location have changed for the 2026 conference. The conference was previously advertised as May 5-7 in Scottsdale, AZ. The conference will now take place May 12-14 in Tempe, AZ.
The preliminary agenda can be found below!
Please note that the agenda is subject to change.
AGENDA
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Registration | |
| 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Exhibitor Setup | |
| 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM | Welcome | |
| 1:15 PM - 1:50 PM | Keynote - Arizona Geology 101 and the role of the AZ Geological Survey - Detailed State Geologic Mapping Phil Pearthree, AZ Geologic Survey | |
| 1:50 PM - 2:15 PM | Arizona Geological Survey Landslide Mapping Along AZ Highways Joseph P. Cook, AZ Geologic Survey | |
| 2:15 PM - 2:40 PM | Geotechnical Highlights of the $1B I-10 Broadway Road Curve Project, Phoenix, Arizona Ramon Padilla, Terracon | |
| 2:40 PM - 3:05 PM | A-Game as an ATC and Rock Mass Stability Analysis using GIS Obtained from RMR and S-wave Velocity on I-17 Flex Lanes Project, Arizona Scott Nealy, Terracon | |
| 3:05 PM - 3:20 PM | BREAK | |
| 3:20 PM - 3:45 PM | ADOT US 60 Centennial Wash Bridge Over Troubled Soils Patrice Brun, AZDOT | |
| 3:45 PM - 4:20 PM | Keynote 2 - Pavement & Transportation Research @ ASU Claudia Zapata, ASU | |
| 4:20 PM - 4:55 PM | Keynote 3 - A Decade of CBBG Research and Next Steps Edward Kavazanjian, ASU | |
| 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Opening Reception with Student Posters | |
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Registration | |
| 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Exhibitor Setup | |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Breakfast | |
| 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM | Welcome | |
| 8:15 AM - 8:45 AM | Beyond Boring Logs: Making Geotechnical Data Usable Without the Overhaul Xin Peng, Geosyntec Consultants Inc. & Jesse Rauser, LADOT | |
| 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM | Integrating AI-Powered OCR for Automated Geotechnical Log Processing Declan Vanderhor, Tablogs | |
| 9:15 AM - 9:45 AM | Unlocking Legacy Geotechnical Information: AI as a Bridge to Modern Data Management Frameworks Scott L. Deaton, Dataforensics | |
| 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM | AI Applications for Geohazard Management Randy Post, WSP USA, Inc. | |
| 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM | BREAK | |
| 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Intelligent Compaction: A Next-Generation Tool within the Ecosystem of Earthwork Compaction QA/QC William J. Baker, FHWA | |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Design and Construction of Louisiana’s First Geosynthetically Reinforced Load Transfer Platform Miranda Perkins, LADOT | |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | An Overview of NCHRP 10-121 - Performance-Based Specification for the Application of Ground Modification Methods for Bridges, Retaining Strict Allen Cadden, Schnabel Engineering | |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | LUNCH | |
| 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Traffic Impact Loading on Barrier Rail and how it affects an MSE wall David L. Hutchinson, Geoquest | |
| 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM | Geosynthetic-Strip Reinforced MSE Walls Using Locally Available Backfill Fransiscus Hardianto, PSEPlus | |
| 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Rockfall and Avalanche Protection Using Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Manuel Bernal, Geoquest | |
| 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Slope Reinforcement and Stabilization Using Percussion-Driven Earth Anchors Rick Ruffing, Gripple, Inc. | |
| 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | BREAK | |
| 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | California Department of Transportation Geotechnical Asset Management Nic Bel, CAL Trans | |
| 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Unified Data Management for Comprehensive Subsurface Workflows Tim Parker, EarthSoft, Inc. | |
| 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Integrated Structural and Geotechnical Analysis of Sheet Pile System for Urban Bridge Excavation (RR in CA) Hassan (Kevin) Abbasi, Parsons | |
| 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Steering Committee Meeting | |
| Time | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Registration | |
| 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Exhibitor Setup | |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Breakfast | |
| 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM | A Design Framework for the use of Low-Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC) in Levees Nico Sutmoller, Aerix Industries | |
| 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM | Rebuilding Resilience: Slope Stabilization with Foamed Glass Aggregate at Teton Pass and Beyond Theresa Andrejack Loux, Aero Aggregates | |
| 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Use of Lightweight Cellular Concrete for Pipe and Void Fill Robert L. Parsons, University of Kansas | |
| 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | BREAK | |
| 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Emergency Repair FM787 @ Trinity River Following the Spring 2024 Floods Worku Mergia, TX DOT | |
| 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Half a Decade of FHWA Next Scour: Geotechnical Research – Major Findings and Future Directions Jennifer E. Nicks, FHWA | |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Dynamic Performance Monitoring of a Rockfall Attenuator SystemG Darren Beckstrand, Landslide Technology | |
| 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | LUNCH | |
| 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM | From Reactive to Predictive: System-Wide Geohazard Risk Management Mark Vessely, BGC Engineering | |
| 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Now That We’re All Software Developers - Why Data Quality and Access Control Matter More Than Ever Louis Aaron, BoreDM | |
| 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM | Changes and Opportunities for the FHWA Geotechnical Program Silas C. Nichols, FHWA | |
| 2:00 PM - 2:15 PM | Closing Remarks | |
| 2:15 PM - 3:45 PM | State DOT Open Discussion (State DOT Participants Only) | |