Improving Public Works Construction Inspection Skills

Become one of the more than 6,800 inspectors and construction engineers from the U.S. and Canada who have tuned up their skills at this practical course. You will gain a comprehensive overview of inspection fundamentals, practical methods, and techniques for the most common types of public works construction and increase your confidence in dealing with contractors and the public.

Who should attend?

• Inspectors who have limited formal training in the field 
• Engineering technicians who are new or newly assigned to inspection 
• Maintenance supervisors who inspect the work of contractors 
• Testing lab personnel who provide testing and inspection services 
• Engineers who are new to inspection or want a comprehensive review 
• Engineers who design and write specifications for work that requires inspection 
• Managers of construction who want to improve their inspection operation

Contracts, Plans, and Specifications: Framework for a Quality Project

• The inspector’s role in quality
• Interpreting contract documents
• Knowing your authority
• Keeping good records

Soil Fundamentals: The Foundation for Every Project

• Characteristics of soils
• Effects of moisture
• Compaction standards and methods
• Test methods and interpreting results

Geosynthetic Applications: The Right Materials for the Right Application

• Geosynthetic products and standards
• Inspecting geosynthetic installations for common applications

Sewer and Water Construction: Your Eyes See It Last

• Pipe characteristics: stress, strength, failure
• Trenching, bedding, installation, backfill

Inspecting Sewer and Water Construction: Continued

• Storm Sewer Projects
• Manholes, connections, laterals
• Hydrants, valves, services

Day 2

Inspecting Sewer and Water Construction: Continued

• Storm sewer projects
• Acceptance testing

Concrete Pavement Construction: Building Quality Concrete Pavements

• Desirable characteristics of concrete
• Pre-construction activities
• Paving and mixing equipment
• Test methods and interpretation of results
• Inspection during placing, finishing, and curing
• Post-placement inspection activities 

Asphalt Pavement Construction: Using the Inspection Checklist

• Characteristics of asphaltic concrete
• Pre-construction activities
• Paving equipment and methods
• Laying and compacting
• Test methods and results 

Erosion Control Inspection: Installation, Inspection, and Maintenance

• Soil erosion basics
• Erosion and sediment control methods and materials
• Inspection and maintenance procedures and checklists

Course evaluation

Adjourn

Benjamin Jordan
Program Director PE

Department of Engineering Professional Development
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Teaching in courses starting: 02/27/2019

Douglas Deno
Principal PE

Douglas W. Deno, PE, Senior Consultant, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, routinely serves as primary investigator on projects involving concrete materials technology, concrete production, and concrete construction practices, including concrete pavement construction. He also investigates problems involving concrete distress and deterioration.

Teaching in courses starting: 02/27/2019

John Sigwart
Retired PE

John Sigwart, PE, recently retired Vice President of Engineering Services, Miller Engineers and Scientists, managed a wide range of civil and environmental engineering projects for developers, private firms, and municipalities. He has served as a waterworks engineer, resident engineer, and city engineer/director of public works.

Teaching in courses starting: 02/27/2019

Ralph Schroedel
Wastewater Engineering Manager PE, BCEE

Schroedel has worked primarily on public works engineering and construction projects since 1975, specializing in wastewater facilities. In addition, Rusty has participated in several international projects during his career. He is been frequently involved in issues dealing with construction of public works projects including contract document preparation and contract interpretation. Schroedel received his B.S. in civil engineering from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1974 and a M.S. in Environmental Health Engineering from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, in 1976. He has also received quality training from Philip Crosby Associates.

Teaching in courses starting: 02/27/2019

Timothy Murphy
President PE

Timothy R. Murphy, PE is president of Murphy Pavement Technology, Chicago, Illinois. He is involved in asphalt pavement teaching, training and troubleshooting nationwide. Murphy works on pavement management, mix design, quality control, construction practices, and failure investigation for government agencies, contractors and consultants and facility owners.

Teaching in courses starting: 02/27/2019

Richard Nowack
Project Manger LA, PLA

Richard Nowack, is the Environmental Services Manager for Quigg Engineering Inc. (QEI). Rich has more than 35 years’ experience in the areas of transportation and environmental impact analysis for NEPA compliance, Landscape Architecture, roadside and wetland restoration projects and erosion and sediment control. Prior to joining the QEI team, Mr. Nowack worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation serving in several positions including Chairman of the Illinois DOT Storm Water Committee. He is co-author of the Illinois DOT Erosion and Sediment Control Field Guide for Construction Inspections and serves as a technical advisor to the Illinois Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Illinois Urban Manual Committee for storm water management BMPs. He has taught more than 65 classes on highway construction erosion control to engineering consultants, municipalities, highway contractors, Cherokee Nation, highway departments, local agencies and the Tribal Technical Assistance Program. Mr. Nowack is a registered trainer with the Tribal Technical assistance Program in the areas of erosion control, project management and the National Environmental Policy Act. Rich is a licensed Professional Landscape Architect.

Teaching in courses starting: 02/27/2019

By participating in this course you will earn:

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