Wednesday, March 3rd

The second day of the Pipe School encore will take place on Wednesday, March 3rd, and will run from 8am – 4pm CT.  At the end of each day, attendees will have the opportunity to apply for earned PDHs which will be issued within a few weeks after the event.

Below is a description of the different classes available during the Tuesday session.  Click here to see the Pipe School 2021 Encore schedule.

Return to Pipe School Schedule Page.
Sales & Engineering Class Outline (click to jump to track)

Micro-Tunneling

Innovation & Industry Advancements

Engineering Ethics: An Engineer’s Point of View

Jacking Pipe Basics

Post-Installation Inspection

Pipe Floatation

Technical Sales & Engineering

Micro-Tunneling

Speaker: Brent Schofield, Technical Marketer – Langley Concrete Group

Trenchless technologies have advanced allowing sophisticated trenchless installation to occur in places preciously not thought possible. Saving time, money, disturbances to local community’s installation can still occur. British Columbia, Canada recently began using trenchless technology- Microtunelling to install (3m) precast concrete pipe to serve MetroVancouver, Canada. This course will discussion microtunneling technology, its use, challenges and the end result.

Innovation & Industry Advancements

Speaker:  Heather Christensen, EIT – Technical Marketing Manager – Geneva Pipe & Precast

Innovation is an important aspect of societal development and growth. It has led to incredible inventions that have changed the way humans live and interact with each other. But some innovations can pose risks due to unforeseen consequences after implementation. When it comes to our infrastructure, it is of utmost importance that innovations are implemented responsibly and with the highest regard to public safety. The concrete pipe industry is a great example of how responsible innovations can fuel steady advancements over time. This presentation will discuss the many advancements and innovations that have occurred within the concrete pipe industry that has resulted in the well-understood, resilient and high-quality concrete pipe that is manufactured today.

Engineering Ethics: An Engineer’s Point of View

Speaker:  Tryg Hoff, PE, Northeast Regional Engineer – American Concrete Pipe Association

Engineering ethics is more than an just a rosy ideal, it is the very foundation of our profession. This course will take a dive into micro, macro, and meta ethics with a closer look at recent ethics cases and a few of the historical cases that changed the expectation of engineering practice. We will also explore the common canons of Ethics with a focus on the responsibility to hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public..

Jacking Pipe Basics

Speaker:  Don Lepley, PE, Sr. Technical Resource Engineer – Forterra

The presentation provides those attending basic design and application information when considering using reinforced concrete pipe for jacking or micro tunnel installations. Beginning with preliminary project requirements, the determination of loads onto the pipe, steel reinforcement, joint variations and final performance expectations requirements. Some final discussion of the future of this unique application will close the presentation.

Post-Installation Inspection

Speaker:  Alena Mikhaylova, PhD, Technical Resource Engineer – Forterra

Installing a new storm system is a long-term investment for any owner.  It is important to ensure that the asset will last its’ intended service life without the need for major repairs.  Final inspection of the newly installed pipeline is an important final step for the owner to make ensure the pipe has been installed properly.  Looking for excessive gaps in the joints, rolled off gaskets, cracks or excessive deflection are the part of such inspection.  This class will teach how to inspect any culvert, whether it’s RCP or HDPE, differentiate between cosmetic defect and defects that could cause trouble in the futur3e and severely reduce the service life of the culvert. 

Pipe Floatation

Speaker:  Jennifer Schaff, PE, Technical Resource Engineer – County Materials

Floating pipes:  an occurrence no one wants to see on one of their projects!  Learn the basic principles of buoyancy as it relates to underground pipes and culvert design.  You will learn three things:  1) Basic theory of pipe buoyancy and susceptible scenarios for pipe flotation, 2) Two different theories to calculate pipe flotation potential, and 3) Tips and rules of thumb to guide you through design.

About Our Virtual School

Pipe School is the American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA)’s annual event where members, DOTs, consulting engineers, subject matter experts, and other industry personnel get together to discuss, learn, and engage with one another.  The school advances the industry by teaching classes on production, advanced production, and quality, while engaging with industry stakeholders to ensure that they are provided with information vital to their decision making process.  Keeping the safety of the participants at the forefront, the 2021 Pipe School will move to a virtual platform, but promises to provide as engaging of presentations and allowing for more participants than ever before.

Don McNutt, PE

Great Lakes Region Engineer
American Concrete Pipe Association

Don has over 35 years of experience in the precast industry as a quality control manager, production engineer, design engineer, engineering manager and chief operating officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The University of Cincinnati and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Ohio. Don is the Great Lakes Region Engineer for the American Concrete Pipe Association.

Ryan Bonell, PE

Technical Resource Engineer
County Materials

Ryan Bonell graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville in 2006 with a degree in environmental engineering. He is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Wisconsin and brings 14 years of experience to the table. In his current role as Technical Resource Engineer with County Materials, Ryan’s main function is to educate and promote the use of concrete pipes and structures to the engineering, municipal and DOT communities. Prior to joining County Materials, Ryan started his career in consulting working on a wide range of municipal projects in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

Don Lepley, PE

Sr. Technical Resource Engineer
Forterra

Since April 2001, Don Lepley has been a Sr. Technical Resource Engineer for Forterra in the Northeast United States. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Don graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Youngstown State University. He also holds a Masters of Business Administration degree and is a registered professional engineer in the state of Ohio. Don has spent his career working with steel, plastic and concrete pipes and provides a unique understanding of those various materials.
Don is a member of ASCE, ASTM Committees C-13 on Concrete Pipe, F-17 on Plastic Pipe and C-27 on Precast Concrete Structures. Committee C-13 recently honored him with their Frank J. Heger Memorial Award for technical excellence.

Matt Childs, PE

Chief Operating Officer
The Turner Company

Matt Childs is currently the Chief Operating Officer with The Turner Company in Rhome, Texas. Previously, Matt was the Vice President – North American sales for HawkeyPedershaab. Before joining HawkeyePedershaab Matt was with the American Concrete Pipe Association and served as president for 12 years. Matt has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University and a bachelor’s and Masters of Civil Engineering from the University of Texas Arlington.

Ashley Isaacson, EIT

Technical Resource Engineer
Forterra

Ashley Isaacson began her career with Forterra Pipe and Precast, formerly Hanson Pipe and Precast, in 2006, shortly after receiving a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Valparaiso University. She has held positions within Forterra that include project manager and lead project manager, and is currently serving as a technical resource engineer for the North Texas area. She is also working toward a master’s degree in structural engineering. She resides in Keller, TX with her husband and two children.

Darren Schmidt

Technical Services Manager
Forterra

Darren Schmidt is a Technical Services Manager for Forterra based out of Lexington, KY. Darren has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology specializing in Construction. He has (23 Years) in the Pipe, Precast and Construction industry with much of that time in sales and promotion of RCP, Box Culvert and Precast products. Darren is active in the ACPA Infrastructure and Technical Committees and is a member of the following ASTM committees – C13, C17, F36, and A05.

Josh Beakley, PE

Vice President Engineering
American Concrete Pipe Association

Josh Beakley is Vice President of Engineering for the American Concrete Pipe Association. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Virginia. Josh received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and received his Masters in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Josh has been with the American Concrete Pipe Association since 1994. Prior to joining ACPA, he worked as a Civil Engineer for the Bechtel Power Corporation.

In his job functions for the American Concrete Pipe Association Josh represents the industry on national standards making committees. He also coordinates research and design programs for the precast concrete culvert industry. Occasionally, he assists engineers with the design and specification of precast concrete pipe and box culverts as well as performing educational seminars.

Josh is a member of ASCE, ACI, ASTM, and participates in AASHTO meetings. He is a Spangler Award Winner, and an Award of Merit Honoree of ASTM, as well as a Heger Award Honoree of ACPA.

Aaron Pettit

Business Development
The Thompson Pipe Group

Aaron started his professional career in logistics spending five years as a logistics director, dealing primarily with chemical manufacturing and warehousing. During that time, Aaron pursued a degree in Business Management with a minor in Finance at the University of Redlands. Upon graduation he took a job with a consulting Construction Management firm, where he worked on, managed, and assisted numerous projects in the home development and capital improvements industry. Many of the projects were valued in excess of $100 million, dealing with underground utilities (Both wet & dry), roadway improvements, water treatment and sanitary sewer treatment facilities along with home development. In 2016, Aaron was hired by The Thompson Pipe Group as Business Development Manager / Sales Manager.

Walt Catlett

Region Engineer
American Concrete Pipe Association

Mr. Catlett brings over 25 years of experience in urban drainage and stormwater management. As a member of the American Concrete Pipe Association, he has designed, specified, manufactured and installed both flexible and rigid pipe systems. He provides education and technical assistance on proper installation of storm drainage products to contractors, consultants, local agencies and state DOTs. He serves on Virginia’s Local Transportation Assistance Program (LTAP) Advisory Board. He also serves on the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s Research Advisory Council. He has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, PA. Mr. Catlett served in the United States Marine Corps and United States Army Reserves for a combined 30 years.

John Susong

Product Resources Manager
Rinker Materials

John Susong has been with Rinker Materials for 23 years, holding roles as a technical resource engineer, account manager, sales manager and general manager. Currently, John is the Northeast Region Product Resources Manager for Rinker Materials. John is involved with the American Concrete Pipe Association as Vice Chair of the Government Relations Committee, working to advance the ACPA’s interests with the U.S. Congress and state legislatures.

John is a graduate of Purdue University, B.S. Civil Engineering, Associate Degree in Building Construction Management and is an Indiana Licensed Professional Engineer

Steve Smart

Technical Resource Engineer
County Materials

Steve is a Technical Resource Engineer for County Materials Corporation based out of Indianapolis, IN. Responsible for providing technical services for the states of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. County Materials is a full service producer of concrete pipe, precast box culverts and other associated concrete products.

Actively involved in the concrete industry for over 40 years in marketing and production precast pipe, box culverts and 3-sided bridge systems.

Held leadership positions in the Illinois Concrete Pipe Association, Board member of National Precast Concrete Association, founding member of the Derby City Chapter-ASHE and currently Indiana State Director of IKO Concrete Pipe Association.

Married to Martha, a real estate broker, they have 2 grown sons, Patrick and Andrew, who have blessed them a with granddaughter Journey and grandson Oliver.

Heather Christensen, EIT

Technical Marketing Manager
Geneva Pipe & Precast

Heather Christensen is currently working as the Technical Marketing Manager for Geneva Pipe & Precast. Her main job duties include managing technical product presentations, plant tours, online media, advertising, and promotional events. She also works as part of the engineering department participating in structure design and design consultation. In this position, she has become an enthusiast of the precast concrete industry and concrete drainage systems. Prior to her work with Geneva, she worked with several consulting engineering firms in the Salt Lake area. Heather graduated with a Civil & Environmental Engineering degree from the University of Utah. She lives in Utah with her Husband (Scott), her niece (Madeleine), and her two pooches (Hugo and Sherman). She likes to spend her free time outdoors gardening, hiking, snowboarding, or just enjoying some hammock time.

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