The March 2016 event was a joint meeting with the ASCE Cincinnati Section Geotechnical Group, and featured a presentation on the sinkhole remediation that was done at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. At 5:38 am on the morning of February 12, 2014, security cameras recorded the collapse of the display floor and development of a sizable sinkhole inside the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. The catastrophe required quick mobilization, coordination and identification of solutions to a complicated geologic condition.
The case study that was presented reviewed the geologic setting, and discussed the engineering judgment that was necessary to determine solutions while being monitored closely by peer reviewers amidst international attention. Lessons learned during the project were addressed, and the presentation discussed the significance of the vehicles and their influence on the decision-making process.
The presenter was Michael J. Marasa, PE, BDM, a Senior Engineer with Hayward Baker, the largest geotechnical contractor in the United States. Mr. Marasa uses his 36 years of experience as a practicing geotechnical engineer to assist engineers and contractors with matching appropriate geotechnical construction techniques to specific site challenges and performance requirements. He frequently makes in-house presentations to engineering and construction firms to educate or update staffs on current ground improvement and foundation construction techniques including grouting, micropiles, earth retention, vibro techniques, and many others. He has authored papers on ground improvement and specialty foundation systems and has presented at numerous seminars and short courses.
Mr. Marasa is a graduate of the University of Louisville with advanced studies in the geosciences. He has been a practicing geotechnical engineer over 36 years and had registrations in multiple states. He joined Hayward Baker, Inc. in early 2005 as Senior Engineer and Regional Business Development Manager.
