This Stuff Is Sexy

Infrastructure.  There.  It doesn't get sexier than that this side of Chris Hemsworth. Seriously.

Yeah, ok, most people don't think of infrastructure as sexy.  Most people don't think of it AT ALL.  Heck, a lot of people probably don't know what infrastructure is.  Don't feel bad if that's you.  You're in good company.

So here's the thing.  Whether or not you think it's sexy (but haven't you ever seen a bridge backlit by a glorious sunset?) infrastructure is the backbone of your daily life and things would be radically 
different without it.

Clean water is something we take for granted as a first-world country.  Most of us have never experienced a time when we didn't have safe, clean water at the turn of a tap.  So, how does it get there?  Source development, conveyance, treatment, storage and more conveyance, that's how.  Pipelines and reservoirs and wells and treatment plants and pump stations.  Then there's recycled, reclaimed and wastewater.  More pipelines, treatment, etc.

How about roads?  We like to complain about potholes (potholes are NOT sexy) and everyone hates traffic.  Why can't they just build more lanes so we don't have to rot on long, skinny parking lots every day?  Because it takes time and money.  The time can be dealt with.  It's the money.  There is no sustainable source of transportation funding at the Federal level and in many states, including California.  So the roads continue to deteriorate, traffic gets worse, and nothing gets done, except by the local transportation agencies.

Over 60%  of the bridges in the United States are in a critical state of disrepair.  The California State Water Project, which brings water to the thirsty Southern California region from the northern part of the state, is nearly 60 years old.  The Aqueduct leaks millions of gallons of water a year.  The American Society of Civil Engineering issues an annual report card of the state of infrastructure in the country.  In 2013 the national grade was D+.

The problem is this: infrastructure isn't politically sexy.  Heck, an alarming number of state and local elected officials don't have a good understanding of what it is and what happens if we continue to ignore it.  Sure, it's been bandied about at the federal level but there is no real conviction behind the words.  Too often aging infrastructure is used as a scare tactic.

Politicians aren't likely to take our crumbling infrastructure seriously until their constituents do.  Constituents won't make an issue of it until the dams start leaking, bridges start falling and we can't get water from the tap.
  
by Beth George

The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service.

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com

6 Tips To Earn Respect At Work

You're the new guy in the office, or the woman promoted to a management position. You've got to make your way; make your mark. You have to be a team player; approachable, helpful and friendly, without getting walked on. How, you might ask, how in world can I do this?

I'm glad you asked. Here are 6 Ways to Earn Respect at Work.

 

1. Don't Be A Know-It-All. No one likes the guy who has all the answers, especially when some of them are wrong. Even if you DO know all the answers keep them to yourself unless it's appropriate.

2. Be Honest. No one respects a liar. Tell the truth, always. Be kind, but truthful. This should go without saying but, unfortunately, some people have trouble with honesty.

3. Listen. Really listen. When someone is talking, don't think about what you're going to say next. Pay attention to what the speaker is saying. Ask questions when she's done. If you listen to people they feel valued and, in return, will value you.

4. Carry Your Own Weight. Be someone people can count on to do his part. Slacking rarely engenders respect.

5. Don't Get Involved In Office Politics. Sometimes it's impossible to avoid the internal machinations in the office but stay out of the posturing and positioning. Be your own woman and stand on your merits, not the favor of others.

 

6. Stay Clear Of Drama. No exceptions. No matter how juicy that gossip is, no matter how annoying John in accounting may be, stay away from drama. Stay above the fray. Some might think you're not 'part of the gang' but they will respect you.

 

These six tips might not guarantee a corner office and a seat on the Board of Directors but they do ensure you will maintain your dignity and self-respect and gain the respect of others.

Was this helpful? 

Do you have additional tips?

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service.

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com

Reviving History - Los Angeles County Hall of Justice

The 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake caused extensive damage to many buildings in the Los Angeles area, including the historic Hall of Justice.

Built in 1924, the HOJ contained the County courts, Sheriff department, Coroner, District Attorney, and the County jail. The building famously housed Charles Manson while he was waiting trial; and was the site of the Marilyn Monroe and Robert F. Kennedy autopsies.

The $245 million repair and renovation project, begun in August of 2011, brought this Beaux Arts building back to its original beauty.  Clark Construction Company, the design builder, and AC Martin achieved a LEED Gold certification. At the time of its completion in August, 2014, it was the largest project ever delivered by the County Department of Public Works, Architect and Engineering Division.

The renovation called for converting the structure from a mixed use (office, court, and jail) to an office for the Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney and upgrading the structural seismic resistance to comply with current building codes. 

The project includes the structural demolition of the existing 11^th and 13^th floors, retrofit of structural and non-structural elements to meet current seismic performance requirements, and tenant improvements throughout the building. The project also includes a 10-story parking garage with five levels of subterranean parking.

As part of the historic restoration, each of the 1,600 windows were taken apart so that the lead-base paint could be removed before replacement. This was included in the original construction schedule.

The 14-story structure was constructed with a steel frame encased in concrete, concrete floor slabs, granite exterior veneer and hollow clay tile interior partition walls. While workers were performing seismic upgrades to the structural support members they discovered the steel beams were coated in lead-based paint before encasement in concrete. This led to thousands of hours of additional work and a $6 million change order to the project.

Converse Consultants provided geotechnical and environmental services to the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works during the preliminary design Hall of Justice Repair and Reuse project. During construction we conducted additional hazardous materials surveys and prepared remediation plans, and provided materials testing and inspection.

Converse is proud to have worked with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works for 60 years.  Future Quick Conversations posts will spotlight some of the amazing projects we've been privileged to be part of.

For more information, please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com.

 

Celebrating 70 Years



In 1946, Professor Frederick J. Converse established Converse Consultants (Converse) in Pasadena, California to provide the construction industry with soils mechanics. Converse is an employee-owned corporation, with 9 offices and 100 employees throughout the United States – California (Monrovia, Redlands, Costa Mesa and Palm Desert), Nevada (Las Vegas, Reno, and Elko), Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.




St. Louis Arch

We provide professional services in the fields of geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, groundwater sciences, environmental sciences, and soils and materials testing and inspection. Our mission is to work together with our clients to provide them with responsive and quality services, resulting in the development of long-term relationships.



BART Transbay Tube

 Over the last 70 years we've had the privilege of working on some outstanding projects. These include foundation recommendations for the BART Transbay Tube, the St. Louis Arch and the Castaic Forebay Dam and Powerplant. 

Other projects of note are the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge (concrete testing), Jersey Gardens Mall (foundation settlement design) and environmental studies for 125-miles of transportation corridor in Southern California.



Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge

Looking at our history is great fun and quite inspiring.  Peering into our future, however, is even more exciting!  We see opportunities for responsible growth, and the opening of new markets, all while maintaining our steadfast attention on providing quality service.



Castaic Powerplant

We'll be announcing some fun events to celebrate our 70th anniversary soon.  Until then, follow us on social media to keep up to date with our amazing company!



For more information about Converse Consultants please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com