December 2020 Vol. 75 No. 12
Features
UCT 2021 Includes Host of New, Traditional Elements
Changes are on the horizon for the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition, better known as simply UCT.
As previously announced, the first and most obvious change is the conference date. For 2021, UCT has shifted from its historic late-January date to May 18–20, 2021, but will still be held at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn. This move allows UCT to remain a face-to-face conference, albeit with health and safety accommodations and restrictions in place, as is necessary for a safe and effective event at that time.
“Since the health and safety of our attendees and exhibitor personnel remains paramount, we worked closely with our Nashville partners to postpone the conference to what should be a much safer time that can remain inclusive of all the many popular UCT events and activities,” explained Robert Carpenter, UCT program director and editor-in-chief, Underground Construction magazine, the UCT co-sponsor.
“We spent a lot of time discussing a potential move with attendees and exhibitors,” he continued. “The responses were near-unanimous and quite clear – moving the date back to May was a great solution to moving out of the first quarter when the pandemic would still be a major concern.”
Conference Director Karen Francis pointed out, “Conversations with many exhibitors revealed they were relieved and even excited that we are making the change and view the move as coming at a time when people will be more than ready to see each other and get back to work.
“Nashville’s Music City Center has numerous health and safety protocols in place, and UCT will work with the facility to minimize
any concerns that still remain in May,” she added.
Gas utility conference
Rounding out UCT 2021 is a new component exclusively for the natural gas industry – the UtiliTech conference.
Presented by Underground Construction and Gas Utility, UtiliTech is an interactive forum to learn about emerging and enhanced technologies, share operational perspectives and explore issues impacting the gas utility market. A dedicated education track on Tuesday and Wednesday will focus on high-tech solutions and information for natural gas utility management, operations, and supervisory personnel.
UCT will provide attendees with timely information and real-world case histories that directly and indirectly impact the underground utility infrastructure. Education tracks consist of a comprehensive cross section of the underground infrastructure markets. The entire program qualifies for Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
“It’s going to be the traditional, full-scale event; we’re not cutting back in any way,” Carpenter emphasized. “Whether you are new to UCT or attend frequently, you will be equipped with practical solutions to everyday problems – solutions that you can take home and immediately apply to your job.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
UCTonline.com, kfrancis@uctonline.com
HDD Hall of Fame
A huge success in 2020, the Horizontal Directional Drilling Hall of Fame will honor two more industry stalwarts in conjunction with UCT 2021. Robert H. Westphal and Ron Halderman will be awarded the honor posthumously at a special reception at the Music City Center in Nashville on May 19.
“Sadly, in 2020 we lost two true icons of the HDD industry in Bob Westphal and Ron Halderman,” observed Carpenter. “Their dedication to the technology was essential in growing that market into the behemoth technology it is today.”
Westphal devoted 55 years of his life to Michels Corporation, tirelessly pushing the company’s performance, and the pipeline and trenchless construction industries’ potential to higher levels. Hired by Dale Michels in April 1965 as a pipeline laborer, he quickly established himself as a great leader, generous mentor and valued friend to those he worked with, including the Michels family.
Westphal was instrumental in the development of Michels into a premier HDD contractor.
In his career, Westphal filled many roles, including laborer, operator, foreman, superintendent, general superintendent, vice president, senior vice president and, at the time of his death, senior construction advisor. He helped guide Michels’ development and execution of strategic business initiatives domestically and internationally.
HDD is almost synonymous with Halderman, as he was one of the innovators paving a path forward for this unique trenchless construction method.
With 36 years of design and project management experience in HDD projects, including design-build and EPC delivery methods, Halderman never ceased finding better ways to serve his clients in the industry. A registered professional engineer, he held a degree in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and graduate studies from the University of Idaho.
Over the years, Halderman published many articles and presented numerous papers. He was involved in many “firsts” in this industry – first mile long drill, first drill under an airport runway, first mile-long drill in rock – and managed a number of award-winning projects across the globe.
He held two HDD-related patents: “Apparatus and Method for Recirculating Mud When Drilling under an Obstacle” and “Drilling Fluid Recovery when Drilling under an Obstacle or Water Body.” He was the co-creator of thixotropic thermal grout (No-Set) for high-voltage electrical transmission systems (patent pending).
Halderman served as director of special projects for Mears Group. He was a pillar of integrity and accomplishments, that were well-earned over his 36-year career in the industry.
Details about attending the HDD Hall of Fame and honoring these special men will be announced shortly.
RehabZone, Assessment Zone to Provide Expanded, Detailed, Vital Information
The RehabZone™ is a special section of the UCT exhibit floor devoted to providing generic, “no-selling” information about rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. That goal is unchanged in 2021, the RehabZone will unveil a new floor plan and enhanced features, including an expanded Cutter Challenge, said Clayton Muenchmeyer of Michels Corporation, 2021 chairperson.
A partnership with the Assessment Zone will be the new entry portal to the RehabZone. “The Assessment Zone was a stand-alone area in the January 2020 UCT and was a celebrated success,” Muenchmeyer said.
“It also offers interactive education and demonstrations for assessment which is a perfect connection and lead-in to the RehabZone. All the technology options featured in the RehabZone are dependent upon the findings of a good assessment. As the industry is well aware, assessment technology tools are growing by leaps and bounds.”
The learning objective of the Assessment Zone will be to aid utilities in managing risks, avoiding emergencies and planning for the future. Equipment and technologies featured within the Assessment Zone will include:
- Data collection
- Leak detection
- Laser profiling
- CCTV
- Sonar
- Advanced Data Imaging
- Cameras
- And much more.
The RehabZone will include stations focused on: ultraviolet technologies, NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) and Inspector Training Certification Program (ITCP), closed circuit television (CCTV), bypass pumping, sectional CIPP lining, joint and seal repairs, water main lining, lateral lining, grouting, root control, manhole linings and coatings and emerging technologies.
A special station will be dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the first CIPP project.
“Each year rehabilitation technology just keeps changing, improving and becoming more essential to sewer and water infrastructure work,” said RehabZone Co-chair David Hill of SAK. “That’s why the ‘Zone’s ability to constantly keep up with new technologies keeps people coming back and attracting new people every year.”
For details about the UCT Show and RehabZone, go to uctonline.com or rehabzone.org.
CIPP Golden Anniversary Announced
A committee of industry volunteers is organizing a special tribute to the cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) industry, as the 50th anniversary of the
first project approaches in 2021.
In addition to a special CIPP keynote speaker, program track and Legends Panel, during a reception on May 18, two CIPP pioneers will be
honored for crafting it into the No. 1 sewer/water rehabilitation technology.
Additional details on the planned activities will be announced soon.
UCT Current Exhibitors
EXHIBITORS as of Nov. 20 BOOTH
ACE PIPE CLEANING INC. 641N
AEGION CORPORATION 605N
AKKERMAN 528N
AP EQUIPMENT FINANCING 603N
APPLIED FELTS / MAXLINER 741N
ARMOROCK 216N
AVANTI INTERNATIONAL** 845N
BALLANTINE 312N
BAROID INDUSTRIAL DRILLING PRODUCTS 508N
BROWNLINE USA INC. 411N
BUCKHORN PUMPS INC. 622N
CCI PIPING SYSTEMS 601N
CHANNELINE INTERNATIONAL 425N
CIPP CORPORATION 645N
CONTAINMENT SOLUTIONS INC. 340N
CONTECH ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS 323N
CRETEX SPECIALTY PRODUCTS** 218N
CUES INC.*** 404N
DANBY, LLC 303N
DERRICK CORPORATION 613N
DIGITAL CONTROL INC 408N
DOETSCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 944N
DUKE’S ROOT CONTROL INC. 841N
E&M SUPPLY GROUP LLC 513N
EMAGINEERED SOLUTIONS INC. 540N
ENVIROCON SYSTEMS INC. 444N
EVOLUTION DRILLING TOOLS 609N
GRANITE INLINER 311N
HARDROCK DIRECTIONAL DRILLING 516N
HERRENKNECHT TUNNELLING SYSTEMS 517N
HI-VAC CORPORATION 618N
HOBAS PIPE USA 422N
HOLLY PIPE CORP 523N
HTS PIPE CONSULTANTS 318N
HYDRABED 337N
HYDROMAX USA 701N
ICS, BLOUNT INC. 234N
IMERYS 722N
INDUMAR PRODUCTS INC. 700N
INLAND PIPE REHABILITATION 208N
INTERPLASTIC CORP. 522N
IPEX USA LLC 535N
J.T. MILLER LLC 400N
JIM COX SALES INC. 222N
JM EAGLE 217N
KAISER PREMIER 322N
LOGAN CLAY PRODUCTS LLC. 529N
MADEWELL PRODUCTS CORP.** and *** 738N
MCELROY MANUFACTURING CO. 301N
MICHELS CORPORATION**
MILLER PIPELINE 510N
NATIONAL LINER 945N
NATIONAL TRENCH SAFETY 329N
NORTH AMERICAN PIPE CORPORATION 409N
NUFLOW TECHNOLOGIES 544N
OBIC LLC. 209N
PIONEER ONE INC. 417N
PIPELINE RENEWAL TECHNOLOGIES 541N
PURPLE WAVE AUCTION 338N
RADIUS HDD 612N
RAILHEAD UNDERGROUND PRODUCTS LLC 711N
RELINE AMERICA INC. 200N
ROOTX 511N
SAERTEX multiCom LP 308N
SAPPHIRE GAS SOLUTIONS* 244N
SAUEREISEN INC. 509N
SEALING SYSTEMS INC. 423N
SPECTRASHIELD LINER SYSTEMS 309N
SPRAYROQ INC. 617N
STANDARD CEMENT MATERIALS INC. 823N
SUBSURFACE INSTRUMENTS 709N
SUNBELT RENTALS INC.*** 317N
THE STRONG COMPANY INC. 834N
TRENCHLESS RENTAL SOLUTIONS 440N
TRIFLO INTERNATIONAL 616N
TUFFROD 428N
UNDERGROUND MAGNETICS INC 608N
UNDERGROUND TOOLS INC. 623N
UNI-BELL PVC PIPE ASSOCIATION 412N
VERMEER CORPORATION 500N
VERSAFLEX / RAVEN LINING SYSTEMS 836N
WARREN ENVIRONMENTAL 316N
*Platinum UtiliTech Sponsor **I&I Sponsor ***RehabZone Sponsor
Most Valuable Professional
The infrastructure industry’s most prestigious award, the Most Valuable Professional, will again be awarded at UCT. Co-sponsored by the Underground Construction Technology Association and Underground Construction magazine, the award will be presented to George Kurz, P.E., DEE at a special luncheon on May 18 at the Nashville Music City Center during UCT.
Kurz, of Nashville, Tenn., has 43 years of experience in state and local government, sewer service contracting and consulting engineering. For 30 years, he has focused on the development of a strategic approach for eliminating I/I in municipal sewer systems and standardizing methods for measuring effectiveness of rehabilitation using flow monitoring.
A strong believer in industry education, he is a frequent presenter in the educational program at UCT and has also presented pre-show workshops on Sewer Rehabilitation Strategies. All of his presentations are renowned for comprehensive, in-depth and unique data delivered in a fun and informative manner.
Kurz got involved in the RehabZone program at UCT during its early years and still participates as an industry expert, answering questions, explaining technology and providing general information to the audience. It is not unusual to find Kurz in the RehabZone with a crowd gathered around him as he shares his technical knowledge, anecdotal stories and relevant research to his listeners.
Kurz worked for the Tennessee Division of Water Quality Control from 1976 to 1978, reviewing collection system plans, I/I studies and SSES reports. From 1978 to 1990, he was Sewer System Engineer for the Interceptor Sewer System in Chattanooga, Tenn. His responsibilities progressed to the point where he managed 34 people in the sewer maintenance and industrial wastes divisions, and a combined annual budget of $2.25 million.
He also initiated the I/I monitoring and sewer rehabilitation programs and designed the first flow monitoring network of 21 permanent meters. He oversaw procurement of design for the first CSO control project at Ross’s Landing, and designed 1.5 miles of 15-, 24- and 54-inch sewer trunk lining.
Beginning in 1991, he worked for CTA as part of the Nashville Overflow Abatement Program (OAP) as a project manager and project engineer. Kurz established the standards for hydraulic and I/I flow analysis for OAP and performed before-after analyses for 27 project areas, which showed an aggregate I/I reduction of 50 percent annually.
In 2012, Kurz wrote a “Green Paper” to provoke action by the Tennessee Division of Water Resources to revise its Sewer Design Criteria to handle I/I more effectively statewide and to become proactive for I/I reduction. The Division responded by creating a taskforce to update the Design Criteria, which Kurz co-chaired. He has continued to assist the Division with training on his municipal I/I & RDI/I spreadsheet.
Registration for the MVP Luncheon will open in January 2021. For individual registration, a table or to obtain sponsorship information, visit the national UCTA website at uctaonline.org.
CUIRE pre-show specialty schools
Staples of pre-show educational activities at UCT are the special-focus sessions provided by the Center for Underground Infrastructure Research & Education (CUIRE). The 19th Annual Trenchless Technology Certification Schools will be held at the Music City Center in Nashville, site of UCT.
This year’s program, scheduled over two days, includes Advanced HDD School, Geotechnical School, Pipe School, as well as half-day Pipeline Inspection School, and Microtunneling and Pilot Tube School.
Monday, May 17
8 a.m.–Noon:
- Advanced Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) School (Part One) – Planning and design of large, mid- and small-size HDD projects from inception to closeout and delivery. The school will include talks on pipe loads, bore planning, drilling fluids and case studies.
- Geotechnical School (Part One) – Geotechnical requirements for both trenchless and open-cut applications, soft soils and rock investigations methods, and how ground conditions will affect trenchless feasibility and productivity.
- Pipe School (Part One) – This school will cover applications, capabilities, manufacturing, standards, advantages and limitations of steel, and rigid pipes such as clay, concrete and new developments in these pipe materials and joining systems.
1–5 p.m.:
- Advanced Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) School (Part Two) – The second part of this school will include construction projects of all sizes, plus tracking, tooling and locating and case studies.
- Geotechnical School (Part Two) – Planning, geotechnical reporting, and contracting requirements for trenchless technologies for different ground conditions.
- Pipe School (Part Two) – This second part of this School will cover applications, capabilities, manufacturing, standards, advantages and limitations of flexible pipes such as ductile iron, PVC, HDPE, fiberglass, polypropylene and new developments in these pipe materials and joining systems.
Tuesday, May 18
8 a.m.–Noon:
- Microtunneling and Pilot Tube School – This school will cover planning, design and construction of Microtunneling Methods (MT) and Pilot Tube and Other Guided Boring Methods (PTGBM) and will includes case studies. A discussion of new ASCE Microtunneling Standards and Manual of Practice on PTGBM will be presented by authors.
- Pipeline Inspection and Asset Management – This school will cover pipeline inspection for gravity and pressure applications, including water, sewer (sanitary and storm), oil and gas. Information on how to use pipeline inspection and assessment data to renew deteriorated pipelines will be provided.
Each half-day school qualifies for CEU and PDH credits through the University of Texas at Arlington. For more information regarding these schools,
contact CUIRE at (817) 272-9177 or email: cuire@uta.edu. •
I&I elimiNation Returns
at 2021 UCT in Nashville
A unique specialty conference, to be held in conjunction with the 2021 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT), will tackle an age-old industry issue. Often misunderstood and frequently underestimated, unabated infiltration and inflow (I&I) is nonetheless deadly to sewer collections systems.
Scheduled for May 17, 2021, at the Music City Center in Nashville, I&I elimination will make its second appearance at the conference. The first was held at UCT 2020 in Fort Worth. The intense, highly informative program was a huge success, clearly signifying that I&I is a hot topic
for sewer infrastructure professionals. Industry organizers are enthusiastically joining with UCT to present an updated
and even more comprehensive examination of I&I issues and solutions.
I&I elimiNATION will explore root causes of infiltration and inflow into sewer systems, revealing both the short- and long-term destructive impacts upon sewer pipelines, and examine possible solutions.
This educational forum is geared for municipal stakeholders, consulting engineers, regulators, technology and service providers, and contractors converging on the challenges of removing I&I for the preservation and performance of wastewater collection systems.
The 2021 I&I elimiNation chairman is Don Rigby, who was also instrumental in helping to organize the initial conference.
“After dedicating a full day in 2019 to this singular I&I topic to include the causes, consequences and corrective action, we surveyed the 100-plus people in attendance and received a 4.38 out of 5 score. All 12 speakers delivered excellent educational value and made the event as interactive as possible,” Rigby explained.
The importance of the I&I program led organizers to believe it was definitely needed again.
“The only problem with the 2019 event was that only 100 people benefited from the content,” Rigby added. “For 2021, we’ll double the number of people who choose to participate in the live event and will video tape the entire program, so thousands more asset owners, engineers and utility contractors can benefit from content submitted by proven experts with years of experience and wisdom to share.”
He stressed that the benefits from the I&I conference will be huge for attendees.
“We anticipate that asset owners (municipalities) will find a way to learn simultaneously with their specifying engineers – better together. The learning begins with the cause of I&I. Thus, the solution targeting the root cause will create an immediate return on effort: return on investment with structural assets realizing full-life expectancy.”
Registration details will be unveiled soon.
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