ASCE Pittsburgh Section upcoming events

Beaver River Bridge Site Tour (23 Oct 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Beaver River Bridge Site Tour

The Beaver River Bridge Replacement Project will reconstruct and widen two miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike from milepost 12 to milepost 14 in North Sewickley Township, Homewood Borough, and Big Beaver Borough, Beaver County. The roadway will be widened from four lanes to six, featuring three 12-foot-wide travel lanes in each direction, a 26-foot median, and 12-foot-wide shoulders. The replacement of the mainline bridge over the Beaver River (WB-211, Milepost 13.21) is with two segmental concrete bridge structures. The mainline will be shifted to the north to realign with the new bridge structure and to avoid environmental and utility issues to the south. Join us to visit the current construction site and learn more about this important piece of infrastructure!

Attendees are responsible to bring all oftheir own PPE, none will be provided.

Parking instructions and additional details will be provided to attendees closer to the event date.

Space is limited! Register now!

YMF Fall Social (25 Oct 2026)

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Come and join the YMF for an afternoon of Arsenal Cider, apple picking, and shopping around the Farmer's Market! We will meet at 11:00 AM at Arsenal Ciderhouse in the main farm area for a glass of cider before we set out to pick apples and walk through the pumpkin patch.

All are welcome to attend, no registration necessary. We welcome all members, old and new, to come and have some fall-fun with us!

Feel free to reach out to asceymfpgh@gmail.com with any questions, hope to see you there!

ASCE Geo-Institute - October Dinner Meeting (29 Oct 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Innovative Approaches for Shallow Landslide Monitoring and Subsurface Investigations in Challenging Terrain

Zachary Robertson, PG, PMP (WSP) and Brett Dugan (Pillar Innovations)

Abstract:

Shallow landslides pose significant risks to linear infrastructure across the Appalachian Basin, where steep slopes and limited access complicate traditional geotechnical investigations and slope monitoring. Recent advancements offer safe, efficient solutions for both subsurface characterization and near real-time slope movement detection in certain types of landslides that are less than 25 feet thick.

This presentation focuses on the development and application of the SlipStik. The SlipStik device is a customizable monitoring tool designed for installation without motorized equipment, ideal for remote or difficult-to-access sites. Utilizing manual dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) methods and remote telemetry, SlipStik provides near real-time data on subsurface displacement, enabling rapid assessment and early warning for infrastructure owners. Its agile, casingless design allows for high-resolution monitoring and quick deployment, reducing the need for heavy equipment and, in many cases, environmental permitting.

Complementing this, WSP’s use of the PANDA automatic DCP, manufactured by Sol Solution, system enhances site characterization by enabling consistent, electronic subsurface profiling to depths of approximately 25 feet. The PANDA DCP improves field productivity and safety, delivering reliable soil strength data for mitigation design.

Case studies demonstrate that integrating SlipStik monitoring with PANDA DCP investigations yields actionable insights, cost savings, and operational efficiencies compared to conventional methods. Together, these technologies represent a transformative step in protecting critical infrastructure from shallow landslide hazards, especially where access, budget, and safety are paramount concerns.

Bios:

Zack Robertson, PG, PMP is a Professional Geologist with 14 years of experience managing and executing geotechnical and geohazard projects throughout the Appalachian Basin and across the United States. As a Lead Consultant and Engineering Geologist with WSP, he serves as a project manager and technical lead for pipeline geohazard assessments and mitigation projects, specializing in landslide investigations, slope stability analysis, geotechnical instrumentation, hydrotechnical assessments, and pipeline integrity management. Recently, he has taken on the role of Lead Geologist for the Allegheny River Tunnel in the City of Pittsburgh, for the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority.

Brett Dugan is the IoT Department Manager at Pillar Innovations, where he leads product development and field deployment of sensor-based monitoring systems for geohazard and infrastructure applications. Holding a BS in Electrical Engineering, an MS in Materials Science and Engineering, and an MBA, Brett brings a multidisciplinary foundation to the design and commercialization of field instrumentation. He is the lead developer of the SlipStik monitoring system, with hands-on deployment experience across pipeline, rail, and energy applications throughout the Appalachian Basin.

Beyond Technical Design: Industry Panel Discussion (w/ CMU EWRI) (29 Oct 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

NOTE: CMU Students are to sign up via the separate Student EWRI Chapter registration in order to attend this event at no charge. Reach out to Fiza Jalees for more info at fjalees@andrew.cmu.edu. All others sign up here.

Pittsburgh EWRI has collaborated with CMU EWRI for a panel discussion event this October 29th! For this event, EWRI is bringing in industry leaders and specialists of various environmental fields, including wastewater, erosion control, flood management, and others, in an interactive discussion of their perspectives and modern challenges in environmental technical design. We will be exploring topics ranging from navigating regulatory changes, constructability, site conditions, and project management of timelines and budgeting.

This is a networking opportunity for both students and professionals alike. Don't miss out! PDH credits will be awarded for this event. The panel will last one hour, followed by an additional 30 minutes for networking and discussion.

The event is hosted at CMU's Porter Hall, room 107E, accessible off of Frew Street. Pizza will be provided and is incorporated into the event fee. If you have any dietary restrictions, such as a gluten allergy or vegan, reach out to EWRI Pittsburgh Chairperson Jon Wall jon@shadysidepa.com and we will accommodate!

SEI: Quarterly Technical Presentation Luncheon (04 Nov 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:00:00 GMT

ASCE SEI-Pittsburgh Quarterly Technical Presentation Luncheon!

Join us Wednesday, November 4th at 12:00 PM for lunch, networking and a technical presentation at

GFT's office

Foster Plaza #8
730 Holiday Drive, Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15220

0.5 PDH available for attendees – presentation is in-person only!

$5 Registration – Pizza Lunch Provided

Presenter: Dennis Mialki, P.E. (Retired)

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS – VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE

Dennis Mialki, P.E. (retired) has worked for, and volunteered with, several non-profits throughout the years. From the Peace Corps in the late 70's to Habitat for Humanity in the 90's and 00's, to Engineers Without Borders in the recent past (and ongoing), Dennis has worked on projects in over 15 countries around the world. He will be sharing some highlights from 4 decades of work and will show how volunteering can enhance one's overall career development.

SEI Pittsburgh Chapter Committee meeting to follow at 1:00 PM – All are welcome to attend

Fall Stream Sweep with Upstream PGH (07 Nov 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Link to Register/RSVP: https://upstreampgh.org/events/fall-stream-sweep-26/

YMF November General Body Meeting (19 Nov 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Hi everyone!

The YMF's November General Body Meeting (GBM) will be held at Aslin Beer Company in the Strip District.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend! No registration necessary!

Feel free to reach out to asceymfpgh@gmail.com with any questions, we hope to see you there!

ASCE GI - 2026/2027 Corporate Sponsorship Dues (01 Jan 2027)

Fri, 01 Jan 2027 05:00:00 GMT

Benefits included with Sponsorship:

-Company Logo included on dinner meeting advertisement

- 2 free admissions to a monthly dinner meeting of your choice

- Customized company slide to be included at the monthly meeting presentation

- Supporting local student participation in Pittsburgh GI

Please visit Pittsburgh Geo-Institute website for more information about upcoming events! https://www.asce-pgh.org/Geotechnical