GME Consulting Services, Inc. "Nancy Rutchik Red Maple Rill" project at the Dallas Arboretum currently is part of the exhibit of glass art by Dale Chihuly, the Seattle-based artist who creates vivid, organic installations of blown glass. The rill has several pieces of "ice" floating in it, as shown in the photo above. GME provided geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services on the rill, which features more than 200 maples of 80 different varieties.

For more information about this project, go to http://www.dallasarboretum.org/RedMapleRill/index.html

 

GME Consulting Services, Inc. is proud to have provided geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services to the new City Of Allen Fire Station #5. The $6 million station, which recently was featured in a WFAA report, is among the most eco-friendly in the U.S., incorporating a geothermal heating and cooling system, natural lighting and recycled building products and furnishings. The station is to be used as a tool for educating the community about energy conservation, sustainable products and protecting the environment. A video link can be found at http://www.wfaa.com/local/New-eco-friendly-Allen-fire-station-to-improve-response-times-136839538.html

GME Consulting Services, Inc. has been certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Council - Southwest and as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) by the State of Texas.

 

GME Consulting Services, Inc. provided geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services for Texas Woman's University's new T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences - Dallas. The 8-story, 190,000 sq. ft. facility, which consolidates TWU's Parkland and Presbyterian campuses into one "vertical campus," was selected by Topping Out as one of Dallas' Top Ten construction projects for 2011.

The state-of-the-art facility merges teaching and technology, and initially will house TWU's College of Nursing, the TWU Stroke Center-Dallas and the health systems management program. By January 2012, it will be home to TWU’s occupational and physical therapy departments.

For more information, please go to www.twu.edu/dallas or www.toppingout.org.

GME Consulting Services, Inc. has relocated to 2426 Manana Drive, Suite 109, Dallas, TX 75220.

 

The GME Consulting Services Engineering Scholarship was awarded by Collin College to Keith Hernandez, pictured above with GME's CEO, Marci Kawalek. Keith is a sophomore student who will transfer to the University of Texas-Dallas to study both mechanical and electrical engineering. He is a Bishop Lynch graduate who also plans a double minor in chemistry and biology, and will pursue a career in either biomedical engineering or mechanical engineering.

In 2011, Collin College awarded a record 326 scholarships to its students. GME congratulates Keith on his scholarship award and wishes him the best of luck in his engineering career. For more information on Collin College, please visit www.collin.edu. For more information in UTD, please visit www.utdallas.edu.

GME Consulting Services, Inc. presented its construction materials testing seminar "Hot Weather Concreting" recently to 49 City of Dallas participants. Mark Kawalek, P.E. presented the program, which covers valuable hands-on information regarding the challenges of placing concrete during the hot summer months in Texas.

This program is available to GME clients, and if you would like more information about it, please contact Belva Lowry at 214-351-5633 or blowry@gmeconsult.com.

The GME Consulting Services Scholarship for a prospective engineering, math or science student was awarded by the Frisco Education Foundation on May 12th. GME CEO Marci Kawalek is pictured with the recipient, Macey Price, who plans to study engineering or architecture at Texas A&M. Macey has competed on the tennis team at Centennial High School, works part-time and will be taking part in a medical mission trip in Honduras this summer.

GME currently offers geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing seminars led by Mark Kawalek, P.E., and Douglas Ziolkowski, P.E.

Of particular note as we enter the summer months is our construction materials testing seminar on Hot Weather Concreting, which has been developed for architects, engineers and contractors. The information presented can help minimize the adverse effects of hot weather on concrete applications. Principles offered in this presentation save time and money, improve the appearance of the finished product, and reduce the long-term maintenance of the pavement system. We have provided the following guidelines to support communication and encourage collaboration between all project stakeholders.

Physical evidence of improper hot weather placement:

1. Surface dusting
2. Waviness in surface
3. Excessive or uncontrolled cracking

Adverse effects of hot weather on hardened concrete:

1. Higher early strength gain/lower ultimate strength
2. Decreased durability and water tightness
3. Non-uniform surface appearance (surface dusting, waviness in surface, cracking)
4. Increased drying, shrinkage and/or cracking
5. Increased opportunity for cold joints

Preventive measures could include but are not limited to:

1. Pre-placement planning
2. Thoroughly moisten the subgrade
3. Sequence placement to minimize or control shrinkage stresses
4. Saw as soon as surface will allow
5. Apply curing membrane immediately upon finishing and in recommended quantity

Best Practice:  Plan and communicate early. Conduct a pre-construction meeting with the project team to address the potential concerns and discuss proven methodology for problem prevention.

Presentations on Geotechnical Engineering are presented by Doug Ziolkowski, P.E., and additional construction materials testing presentations are available from Mark Kawalek, P.E. Please call either Mark or Doug at 214.351.5633 if you would like to schedule a presentation.

GME is providing the geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing for the new Nancy Rutchik Red Maple Rill at the Dallas Arboretum. The groundbreaking for the new 2-acre garden, featuring a beautifully landscaped brook, was held on March 8. The Rill will complete the original master plan for the concert lawn and stage at the Arboretum.

 

For further information about the Dallas Arboretum, go to www.dallasarboretum.org.

GME Consulting Services is proud to have provided geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing for the Texas Woman's University's 8-story, 190,000-square-foot T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences-Dallas Center. The facility opened recently in the heart of the Southwestern Medical District in Dallas, and initially will house TWU's College of Nursing, the TWU Stroke Center-Dallas and the health systems management program. It is slated to provide space to TWU's occupational and physical therapy programs by January 2012.

 For more information, please see http://www.twu.edu/dallas.

 

GME provided geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services for the exciting new $10 million, 40,000 square foot Medical Center of Lewisville Grand Theater. The state-of-the-art facility, which opened on January 14th, is the only publicly operated cultural arts facility in southern Denton County. This GME project features two theaters, a recital hall, an art gallery, classrooms and a large central courtyard.

Two GME projects were among the 44 construction projects in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that were nominated for recognition by Topping Out in the DFW Top Ten of 2010. The AT&T Performing Arts Center, the Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre and the Margot & Bill Winspear Opera House placed in the Top Ten.

GME provided geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing on the projects.

Topping Out, which presented the awards at a ceremony May 13th at Cowboy Stadium, recognizes individuals and building teams for their ability to confront tough project issues and for working together to successfully complete projects. Building teams include the owners, architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers and other related suppliers and service consultants.

GME is proud to have been a part of these two landmark projects in Dallas.

The GME Consulting Services Engineering Scholarship was awarded to Senior Ryan Holifield of Centennial High School on May 18th. The GME scholarship was presented by the Frisco Education Foundation on May 13th. Ryan plans to study civil engineering, and will begin his undergraduate education at Collin College in the fall. GME President Mark Kawalek presented the scholarship during the FEF's "Scholarship Night 2010," where over 308 scholarships totaling more than $392,000 were awarded to Frisco ISD graduating seniors.

GME provided geotechnical engineering and materials testing services for the new Collin College Higher Education Center, which opened in McKinney recently. The new center offers a variety of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees through five university partners who conduct classes at the center - Dallas Baptist University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas Woman’s University, The University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas.

Construction of the new campus is complete and the center opened in January. It is located at the northeast corner of Central Expressway and Hwy. 121, and Spring classes are now in session.  Summer schedules are currently available as well.

Collin College serves more than 46,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs. The only public college in the county, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and work force development.

GME provided the constuction materials testing services for SMU's new Caruth Hall, a multi-use building for the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering.  The dedication for the facility was held on April 16.

The 3-story, 64,000 square foot building is designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building standards. It will house the the Lyle school's broad-based outreach programs, as well as the Hillcrest Foundation Amphitheater, which is located between the two wings of the new Caruth Hall. The amphitheater creates a new venue for outdoor campus events.

The new facility will be home to:

• The Caruth Institute for Engineering Education
• The Hunter and Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity
• The Center for Engineering Leadership
• The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® Lab
• The Palmer Engineering Leadership Complex
• The Departments of Engineering Management, Information and Systems
• The Department of Computer Science and Engineering

For further information, visit http://www.smu.edu/News/2010/caruth-dedication-14april2010.aspx.

GME's Belva Lowry is again serving on the Marketing Committee supporting the 2010 Topping Out event, to be held at Cowboy Stadium on May 13th.

Topping Out is in its 7th year of recognizing outstanding built environments, and the collective accomplishments of the construction team. The Topping Out Top Ten Projects will be determined based on creativity, collaboration, coordination, team success and community impact.

All proceeds of the awards event will benefit The Arc of Dallas and the University of Texas at Arlington School of Architecture. 

Hot Weather Concreting – a presentation developed for our clients, architects, engineers and contractors, to inform and prepare them to minimize the adverse effects of hot weather on their concrete applications. Principles offered in this presentation save time and money, improve the appearance of the finished product, and reduce the long term maintenance of the pavement system.

Due to the overwhelming response to this presentation, we have provided these guidelines to support communication and encourage collaboration between all project stakeholders. If you have any questions or would like to request the complete presentation for your staff, please contact Mark Kawalek. P.E. at 214-351-5633.

Physical Evidence of improper hot weather placement

1. Surface dusting
2. Waviness in surface
3. Excessive or uncontrolled cracking

Adverse Effects of hot weather on hardened concrete

1. Higher early strength gain / lower ultimate strength
2. Decreased durability and water tightness
3. Non-uniform surface appearance (surface dusting, waviness in surface, cracking)
4.  Increased drying shrinkage cracking
5. Increased opportunity for cold joints

Preventive Measurescould include but are not limited to:

1. Pre-placement planning
2. Thoroughly moisten the subgrade
3. Sequence placement to minimize or control shrinkage stresses
4. Saw as soon as surface will allow
5. Apply curing membrane immediately upon finishing and in recommended quantity

Best Practice:  Plan and communicate early. Conduct a pre-construction meeting with the project team to address the potential concerns and discuss proven methodology for problem prevention.

Additional presentations:

Geotechnical Engineering by Doug Ziolkowski, P.E

Construction Materials Testing by Mark Kawalek, P.E.

1. Texas School Recycling Guide, GI-030 (revised) 

Technical guidance manual for administrators on reducing waste and starting a school recycling program. Includes tips for Texas schools. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/comm_exec/forms_pubs/pubs/gi/gi-030.html 

2.  Brochure for small businesses and local governments outlining the TCEQ program offering free, confidential site visits to identify compliance issues. Companies following up can receive a one-year exemption from TCEQ scheduled inspections. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/comm_exec/forms_pubs/pubs/gi/gi-291.html 

3. Saving Water Saves Money (bill stuffer),GI-400 (new publication)

Bill stuffer detailing ways to save money and water. http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/comm_exec/forms_pubs/pubs/gi/gi-400.html

The Collin College Foundation recently honored 300 scholarship recipients at a reception in Frisco. The two deserving students who were awarded the GME Consulting Services, Inc. Scholarhips are Kyle Davis and Rachel Smith, shown above with GME president Mark Kawalek. GME is proud to be part of such an important program and wishes both students continued success in their studies.

Frisco ISD's Career and Technical Education Center (above left) and Grand Prairie ISD's Dubiski Career High School (above right) were honored in May at Topping Out 2009, an evening which celebrated creativity and community. The event also recognizes Dallas/Fort Worth leaders in the development, architectural and construction fields.

On June 15, 2009, Mayor Dean Ueckert and city officials broke ground on the new $10,000,000 Lewisville Center for the Creative Arts. The 39,000 square foot facility will feature two theaters, a gallery, 5 studios for the visual arts, and a 15,000 square foot courtyard, according to lead architect Milton Powell.

GME is proud to be a part of this exciting new venture. For further information, please go to www.cityoflewisville.com.

The June 9, 2009 issue of ENR - Engineering News-Record - featured the Wyly Theater, describing the innovative structure as a "gravity defying" theater that is a part of the $354 million Dallas Center for Performing Arts. The facility is scheduled to open in October. Read more at:

http://enr.construction.com/buildings/building_types/2009/0603-StagingMachinations-1.asp