John Yao, G.E.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority
The Breadth and Depth of Geotechnical Engineering

Abstract

This presentation will demonstrate the diverse design and construction challenges encountered in the field of geotechnical engineering and the solutions developed, using a number of project case histories associated with transportation infrastructures and water conveyance facilities in southern California.  Projects that will be presented include the following:

• Wilshire Grand Project: The evaluation and monitoring of construction impact of a deep excavation on the existing Metro Red Line tunnels.
• Seismic rehabilitation of a nearly 80-year-old, 16-foot-wide, unreinforced concrete tunnel.
• Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project: Three underground stations up to 70 feet deep, one mile of twin bored tunnels, 1.5 miles of open cut excavations up to 60 feet deep, more than 1.5 miles of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) embankment, and numerous deep foundations supporting the aerial guideway (bridge) structures.

Bio

John Yao is a licensed Geotechnical Engineer in California and a Supervising Engineer at Los Angeles Metro.  He earned his Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.  His profession experience includes the design and management of projects associated with transportation infrastructure, water and wastewater treatment facilities, and industrial facilities.  Projects that John has been involved in include large-diameter transportation tunnels, tunnel and sewer rehabilitation, pipeline installation using trenchless technologies, excavation support, ground improvement, retaining structures, as well as foundations for buildings, bridges and large aircraft hangar.