Joseph Ely is a grad student at Texas State University in Manufacturing Engineering with an undergraduate degree in Geography from The University of Texas at Austin. Raised on a outside Bay City, Texas he grew up herding cattle and scuba diving around offshore oil rigs with his father. From 2011-2014 he lived in Ecuador working as a professional geographer in the public and private sector doing a variety of conservation, infrastructure and municipal maps. Upon returning to the US he started a business selling Ecuadorian textiles ( texwador.com ), worked in the petroleum extraction, Environmental, Health and Safety inspection and teaching English to asylum seekers. In his free time, he enjoys video filming and editing, gardening and playing sitar.  Youtube.com/@jm8ely

 As for his current academic pursuits he is working on a NASA competition to design a concrete mixer that can work on the moon. The pressurized centrifuge will simulate the conditions on Earth to avoid the porous nature of concrete cured in a vacuum or with low gravity. His graduate thesis will investigate making reinforcement bar out of iron meteorites to enable structures that can tolerate the loads that pressurized containments, lunar launching pads and general infrastructure will require.  To do this, after grinding actual iron meteorites in a vacuum, he will subject them to vibrations and pressure, molding the filings into a rebar shape via cold welding. The rebar will be cured inside geopolymer concrete and will then undergo flexural strength tests.

Title: Concrete Rehabilitation: Strategies for Structural Repair and Assessment

Abstract: This presentation will delve into the exciting world of revitalizing concrete structures. We will explore strategies and methodologies for assessing and repairing concrete structures. From identifying early signs of deterioration to choosing materials for rehabilitation, the session will provide an overview of best practices. Join us as we navigate the challenges and opportunities in concrete rehabilitation!

Bio: Charles Hammond is a Principal in Walker Consultants’ Austin office. Charles received his BS and MS in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin, respectively. Charles’ diverse international and domestic background has included restoration projects, new design projects, forensic investigations, and litigation work. Charles’ over 16 years of design and forensic experience has included various structure types constructed from a wide range of materials. Charles is a licensed professional and/or registered structural engineer in 14 states.