Post-Installation Inspection
2025-02-12 13:00 - 13:55 (America/New_York) | Kojo Kamau B – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau B – 4th Floor
Speaker: Melitza Avila – Rinker Materials

Presentation Description:
Join me to explore post-installation inspection guided by National Standards such as AASHTO and ASTM. These inspections validate proper installation and structural integrity, offering Owner’s assurance before project close-out or final acceptance.
Speaker Bio:
Melitza Avila is a Technical Resource Specialist based out of the East Coast of Central Florida. Melitza has been in the Concrete Pipe industry since 2007 working in several roles including Project Manager and Sales. In her current role she is an active member of ASTM Committees C13 for Concrete Pipe, C27 for Precast Concrete Structures, E60 for Sustainability and E64 for Stormwater Control Measures. She takes pride in promoting concrete pipe through national standards and sharing specifications with agencies across the State of Florida. Melitza is also certified with NASSCO PACP, for pipeline assessment.

Engineering Ethics
2025-02-12 14:10 - 15:00 | Kojo Kamau B – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau B – 4th Floor
Speaker: Luther Liggett – Graff & McGovern

Presentation Description:
I. Concept-based ethics vs. rule-based ethics.
A. NSPE Code of Ethics
B. Ohio’s Code of Ethics for Engineers and Surveyors R.C. Chapter 4733.
C. Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board Rules R.C. Chapter 4740.
D. Business benefit of practicing ethics and professional conduct.
II. Disciplinary Procedure
III. Plan Stamping: How to avoid misuse of engineer’s seal [handout]
IV. Statehouse Update: Retainage Reform
Speaker Bio:
Luther Liggett is an Ohio attorney in his 44th year. Previously, Liggett served as an Ohio Assistant Attorney General and as a City Law Director, currently focusing on a law practice in Public Contracting, Construction and Government Relations, representing private-sector clients across the state as a registered lobbyist and litigator.
As only one of eight Administrative Agency Law Certified Specialists in Ohio, Liggett has drafted legislation and administrative rules, and represented professionals before licensing agencies and in court, including in the Ohio Court of Claims and before the Ohio Supreme Court.
Attending college and law school in Washington, D.C., Liggett received his undergraduate and law degrees from The George Washington University, where he worked on Capitol Hill for Senator John Glenn.

Hydraulic Issues Related to Rehabilitation of Culverts
2025-02-12 15:10 - 16:00 | Kojo Kamau B – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau B – 4th Floor
Speaker: David Claman, P.E. – FHWA Resource Center

Presentation Description:
The design of culverts is dependent upon many factors that influence hydraulic capacity based on operating in inlet or outlet control.
The presentation will discuss these factors and how the culvert hydraulic capacity is affected (or not) by different rehabilitation techniques. Different culvert material types along with distinct rehabilitation methods will be discussed.
Speaker Bio:
Dave Claman has over 40 years of experience in the water resource engineering field. He is currently a Hydraulic Engineer for the FHWA Resource Center. Prior to working for FHWA, Dave was the supervisor for the Preliminary Bridge Unit of the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Bridges & Structures Bureau for 26 years.
Dave has been involved in many research projects on the local, state and national level regarding climate change, flood mitigation, culvert sedimentation and bridge scour.

Pipe Show & Casino Night
2025-02-12 16:00 - 18:30 | Amina Robinson Grand Ballroom – 5th Floor
Location: Amina Robinson Grand Ballroom – 5th Floor
VIEW THE EXHIBITOR LIST
The Pipe Show is a trade show created exclusively for the concrete pipe industry and is open for all Pipe School attendees. With over 25 exhibitors showcasing their products, services, and people, there is something for everyone to see at the Pipe Show!

The Casino Night, presented by Afinitas, is a new addition to Pipe School and will allow attendees to engage with ACPA associate members, connect with industry partners, and network with peers. The event caps off the Pipe Show and provides an energetic and exciting way to interact with industry personnel.

Pipe Installation Best Practices
2025-02-13 08:30 - 09:30 | Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Speaker: Don McNutt, P.E. – American Concrete Pipe Association

Presentation Description:
Learn how properly adhering to ASTM installation standards for pipe will increase the longevity and value of infrastructure by reducing potential failures and decreasing maintenance costs. Gain an understanding of the differences that ACPA has documented comparing the installation of flexible and rigid culverts. This course can empower specifiers, designers, inspectors, and installers to ensure existing and planned pipe projects adhere to specified standards.
Key Takeaways
1. Understand the proper handling techniques for pipes on the jobsite.
2. Learn the differences in the trench details for reinforced concrete pipe and plastic pipe products.
3. Learn the differences between the four Standard Installation Types for RCP
Speaker Bio:

Don has been working for the ACPA since the beginning of 2018. As the North Central Region Engineer, he supports the producers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia to advance the ACPA Strategic Plan. Working with their market teams to build relationships with DOT, Country, and Municipality Engineers/Decision-makers to protect good specifications or improve specifications for the benefit of reinforced concrete pipe and boxes. He is active in the education committee with regards to the P3 program, PIPE Training Program, and the Annual Pipe School. Currently, he is an active voting member of ASTM C13.02 Reinforced Sewer and Culvert Pipe.

Conduit is the New Currency
2025-02-13 09:35 - 10:35 | Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Speaker: Jeff Syar, P.E. – ODOT

Presentation Description:
The Ohio DOT has approximately 91,000 conduits consisting of culverts and storm sewers under pavement. Conduits are a tier one asset with a dedicated annual allocation consisting of 22 million dollars to address deficiencies identified by routine inspection practices.
Data collected by the Conduit Management Program has immense value that can be mined for various purposes well into the future. Data assists in making informed decisions to optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve the resiliency of this transportation asset.
The presentation will cover the following:
-Origin of the Conduit Management Program- What, who, and when the program started
-Pitfalls/suggestions/lessons learned for other DOTs or Local Governments thinking about starting a Conduit Management Program
-Leveraging Conduit Data
-Future direction, research needs
Speaker Bio:
Mr. Jeffrey E. Syar is currently employed as the Office of Hydraulic Engineering Administrator with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). He has been in this role since May of 2011 when the Office was officially created.
Prior to this position, he served as the Digital Mapping Manager with the Office of Aerial Engineering with ODOT from June 2006 to May 2011 and as a Hydraulic Engineer in the Office of Structural Engineering Hydraulic Section with ODOT from February 2002 to June 2006.
Prior to serving at the Ohio Department of Transportation, he was a design Consultant from June 1996 to February 2002 where he performed roadway, railway, and bikeway designs with an emphasis on hydrology and hydraulics.
He is a graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering and he is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio.

Pipe and box design for INDOT using HY-8
2025-02-13 10:40 - 11:45 | Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Location: Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor
Speaker: Mark Bailey, P.E. – INDOT

Presentation Description:
which version of HY-8 INDOT requires and why (newer versions incorrectly calculate the hydraulics when in a sump condition)
the various inputs used by INDOT for design in HY-8 and what we look for when selecting a proposed structure size
Speaker Bio:
Mr. Bailey graduated from Purdue University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He was the director of the division of hydraulic engineering at INDOT for eight years until his promotion to the managing director of engineering in 2023.

Chairman's Luncheon & Awards
2025-02-13 12:00 - 13:30 | Amina Robinson Grand Ballroom – 5th Floor
Location: Aminah Robinson Grand Ballroom – 5th Floor
Description:
The Award Luncheon will recognize the Journeyman, Mel Marshal Award, QCast, P3, IMPACT, RCPix, Chairman’s Safety and Quality Award Winners.
