Lelio Mejia (California) will deliver a presentation entitled "Design and Construction of Borinquen Dam 1E for the Panama Canal Expansion" at the Structural and Material Engineering Building at the University of California, San Diego for the Geo-Institute Student Chapter and California Geotechnical Engineering Association (UC San Diego CalGeo) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on February 26, 2018.   

Lelio is a Senior Principal based in Oakland, California with more than 35 years of experience in geotechnical and earthquake engineering. For many years, he has focused on the challenges of dam and levee engineering and is a leading international authority in this field, with emphasis on the seismic design and performance of dam structures. Lelio leads Geosyntec's Western U.S. dams and levees practice and is a registered civil and geotechnical engineer.

The Geo-Institute is a specialty membership organization contained within the well-respected American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Members of ASCE Geo-Institute benefit from a strongly connected network of engineers, scientists, technologists, and students.

UCSD CalGeo functions as a student chapter of ASCE Geo-Institute. Members participate in Geo-Institute sanctioned national conferences and activities. Further, UCSD Geo-Institute develops local field-trips, seminars, and activities aimed at engaging undergraduate and graduate students with interests in the geotechnical discipline.

The student chapter of the California Geotechnical Engineering Association members specialize in Geotechnical Engineering at the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. levels. They enrich the educational and professional development experiences of geotechnical engineering students during their time at the University of California, San Diego, and increase awareness of the geotechnical profession.

Abstract

Lelio will present an overview of the Panama Canal Expansion Project and of the dams that form the new Pacific Access Channel, known as the Borinquen Dams. The expansion project has approximately doubled the Canal's capacity and allows the largest cargo and passenger ships in the world to transit through the historic waterway. He will describe the site geologic and seismic setting, the foundation conditions, and the design concept for Dam 1E, the largest of the Borinquen Dams, and will present highlights of the construction of the dam and its key features.

More Information

Learn more at CalGeo Graduate Student Organization at UCSD: http://calgeo.ucsd.edu/index.htm.
For consultation regarding dam design and construction, contact Lelio Mejia at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Learn more about Lelio at: https://www.geosyntec.com/people/lelio-mejia