KU to Host 2007 Mid-Continent Regional Conference in April

The University of Kansas will host the ASCE Mid-Continent Regional Conference April 26-28, 2007. This conferece will bring 200-300 students from 6 states to Lawrence for three days of competition and camaraderie. The Mid-Continent conference consists of schools from the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Click here for a list of participating schools from the 2006 conference. Click on the link at the top of the page for conference information.

Visit the 2007 Mid-Continent Regional Conference Website!

KU Geotech Team Holds Back Competition

The KU ASCE geotechnical competition team captured first place at the 2006 Mid-Continent Regional Conference at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The geotechnical competition involves the construction of a paper-reinforced earth retaining structure. The objective is to design and build a miniature reinforced-soil (also called a Mechanically Stabilized Earth, or MSE) retaining wall using sand, inside a plywood form with paper affixed to a posterboard wall-facing as reinforcement. The intent of the challenge is to foster teamwork and sportsmanship in geotechnical engineering design. The competition rewards innovative engineering in minimizing the amount of construction materials used, while maintaining practicality in assembly and construction times.

The KU team took home the gold by winning all three phases of the competition. They had the fastest time, least expensive structure, and best report. The night before the competition the team was hard at work preparing for the competition by playing darts and singing karaoke! Congratulations team!

Team Members (left to right) - Nicole Carroll, John Mutiso, Scott Bernhardt, Lorena Sanchez, Joe Presswood. (not pictured) Daniel Schrant.

Team Sponsor - Dr. Robert ParsonsTeam Captain - John Mutiso.

If you'd like to be on the team this year, email this year's captain, Joe Presswood.