Rachel Osborn

Test your knowledge of engineering ethics.

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Welcome to Summer Games Round 2. After filling up on picnic favorites, DGL’s cornhole teams battled for their spots in the upcoming tournament. Another one for the books! #theDGLdifference #CivilEngineering #TransportationEngineering #TrafficEngineering #StructuralEngineering #SiteAndFacilityDevelopment #ConstructionEngineering #LandSurveying 

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Consider attending next week's seminar!

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What’s the Status of the Taylor Mill Road Sidewalk Project: I’m glad you asked…. The third and final phase of Taylor Mill Road’s sidewalk proejct has been a very long and protracted undertaking. It all began in the spring of 2018 when the city made an application for SNK (Surface Transportation Planning (NKY)) funding through OKI (Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments). OKI agreed to fund the Taylor Mill Sidewalk Phase III Project. The original timeline was for funding to be available for ROW (right-of-way) easement acquisitions to occur in FY22 and construction to be funded in FY23. Prior to that, all the design and primary work was to be completed. The city’s engineering firm, CT Consultants, worked with the city and residents and designed the project that will run from Saddlebrook Drive on its southern end, all the way to Walnut Drive on its furthest northern end. Then, COVID hit. During the pandemic, many of the state agencies’ non-essential offices were closed and many projects, Taylor Mill’s sidewalk project being one of them, were left to linger unfinished. Once the pandemic eased, many of the state workers who had been a part of the various agencies involved in the project, just didn’t return. The city’s project lingered even longer, unfinished. To attempt to kickstart momentum, the city agreed to pay for a portion of the project that normally the state performed, but because they were understaffed, they could not get to it in a timely manner. That Cultural-Historic (C-H) survey was outsourced and paid for by the city to see the project move again. That was at a cost of $36,984. The C-H work began in May of 2023 and was completed by June of that year. Now the city’s right-of-way (ROW) acquisition approval was stuck in Frankfort, waiting on review by the various necessary agencies. As with any bureaucratic project, even when all parts are moving in conjunction, it takes a seemingly long time to make any forward advancement. The preliminary plans the city had prepared for the design and placement of the sidewalk were now going through their review. It was a lot of back and forth to make all parties happy. Finally, in June of 2024, with all parties satisfied with the product, the city requested KYTC (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet) to authorize the ROW phase. In July of 2024, preliminary authorization was received but work was not permitted to begin until a new supplemental MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) for the ROW funds was executed. That agreement was received on August 7, 2024, and approved by the city commission on August 14. The fully executed agreement was received back from the state on August 28th. However, the city is not allowed to proceed with the ROW phase until KYTC Central Offices issues the “Notice to Proceed”.

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Leadership is something I talk and think about a lot. Whether it is how to be a better project, people, or organizational leader, leadership is a multifaceted skill that requires constant growth. 🌱 One of my favorite ways to look at leadership is by breaking down the successes, mistakes, and strategies of industry leaders. In this week’s episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I had the chance to chat with Michael O'Grady, P.E., Chief Growth Officer at Terracon, about his leadership strategies, the benefits of getting an MBA, and how technology is shaping the future of engineering. Check it out 👉 https://bit.ly/TCEPEp263Y This content is brought to you by PPI, a Kaplan Company. #Engineer #Engineering #Leadership #MBA #Growth #Technology 

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Advancements in Artificial Intelligence are helping engineers and transportation project planners. Hear from two HDR experts on how AI is being applied in transportation decisions and how industry organizations can adapt and prepare for future advancement. https://lnkd.in/gjNcivp9 #Transportation #AI

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Exciting news to close out the week! I’m thrilled to announce the publication of our latest work on historical scaffold-free masonry construction methods and their modern application in cooperative robotic fabrication. You can read the full article in Elsevier’s Developments in the Built Environment journal here: https://lnkd.in/dkwW29uj. In this paper, we delve into the feasibility of adapting ancient masonry techniques for modern robotic assembly, specifically aiming to minimize the need for centering in vault construction. We began by thoroughly reviewing seven historical methods—some dating back thousands of years—and developed a classification framework to assess their potential for automation. Our computational case studies revealed rib network construction as the most promising approach, and we demonstrated how high-payload fixed robots can enable the centering-free assembly of planar and multi-arch rib networks. A big thank you to my co-authors: Robin Oval, Wesam Al Asali, Orsolya Gaspar, Vittorio Paris, and Sigrid Adriaenssens. Your invaluable contributions made this effort possible! From examining historical vaulting methods and producing schematics, to exploring multi-robot cooperation and validating our work with Discrete Element and Finite Element models, this paper exemplifies true interdisciplinary collaboration. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the Princeton University Library Open Access Fund for supporting the open access publication of this article, ensuring that our research remains freely accessible. #Robotics #Cooperative #Automation #Masonry #Vaults #ScaffoldFree If you’re interested in learning more about cooperative robotic fabrication and construction automation, consider joining the Bruun Automation Research Lab: https://www.bar-lab.org.

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To all my #SteelDetailing folks, I'm seeking clarification on the spacing of staggered holes in a beam flange for structural connections. Specifically, I'm wondering if the 24" staggered holes should be spaced 24" from hole center to hole center on the same line or 24" from hole center to hole center on opposite lines. Any insights or references to relevant standards would be greatly appreciated. #steeldetailing #steeldetailer #Structuralsteelfabricator #tekla #SDS2

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Change is happening constantly, and we are seeing big shifts in the civil engineering space to keep track with our rapidly changing world. ⚡️ In this week’s episode of The Civil Engineering CEO show, I talked with Josh Fowler, P. E., M. B. A., President of Davis & Floyd, Inc., about the evolving landscape of civil engineering, the critical role of leadership in fostering innovation, and the future of the industry in addressing global challenges. Check it out ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eQpkzb_p What do you think is the biggest challenge in the world of engineering? Let’s have a conversation in the comments 👇 #Engineer #Engineering #Challenge #CEO #Innovation #Leadership

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Just passed the FE Exam for civil engineering! View my verified achievement from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.

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Civil engineering is essential for parks & recreation too. Watch this replay of our presentation from 2021 when we learned about converting a brownfield (land that needs remediation) into a park with soccer fields. Search our blog for other keyword topics in #civilengineering and you could find a valuable presentation on it! https://lnkd.in/g2PRrk43

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Did you know NCEES administered over 78,000 #engineering and #surveying exams in its 2022–23 fiscal year? For more facts and figures, check out the latest issue of Squared, the official NCEES source for engineering and surveying licensure statistics. https://bit.ly/3oc8rxd

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"Eric Fisher has seen firsthand how traditional construction education fails students." Check out this fantastic article that takes you through the past, present and future of WIR! #WorkInRoads https://lnkd.in/gKmX7dRy

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Just finished the course “Introduction to Bluebeam Revu 20” by Jim Rogers!  #bluebeamrevu #constructionprojectmanagement.

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Over the past few weeks, we have had the pleasure of introducing 7 new members to our team! We’re growing throughout the state and are so excited to welcome all of them to the DGL family. Welcome to DGL! #theDGLdifference #NewHires #CivilEngineering #TransportationEngineering #TrafficEngineering #StructuralEngineering #SiteAndFacilityDevelopment #ConstructionEngineering #LandSurveying 

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This article aims to bridge the knowledge gap for engineers regarding the use of reinforced hollow clay masonry (RHCM) in high demand facilities like tornado shelters. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/gH8NMddw