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Engineers Nominated By US Army Corps of Engineers William Bradley, EIT, a structural engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, Mississippi, provides design expertise to aid in the support of the nation's navigation and flood control infrastructures. Bradley completed contract plans and technical specifications for the Jonesville Lock Stop Log Slot Construction and is providing engineering during construction. This will provide de-watering and maintenance on the Jonesville Lock, a vital link in navigation and commerce on the Ouachita/Black Waterway. The project involved complex design issues. For example, much of the work was performed under water where visibility was extremely limited, so the design had to allow for the placement of vital components to be done in virtual darkness. The project also required resolution of numerous operations and navigation issues. During the high water season, for example, the lock is underwater making work during this time impossible. The work had to be performed in the low water season between June and November. However, these months are the peak of the picking and shipping season for farmers. A shutdown of navigation would mean that essentials such as diesel and other fuels would not be able to move up and down the river. Schedules had to be coordinated so that the work could still be done during the low water time frame and the users would still be able to get fuel and other essentials. Bradley has been actively involved in the Vicksburg District’s bridge inspection program. He recently participated in the inspection of four federal bridges and updated the Corps of Engineers Bridge Inventory System that includes 13 public bridges located in Mississippi and Arkansas. He served as the structural representative on periodic inspections for the Joe D. Waggoner Lock and Dam and several flood control projects. Bradley participated in a design review for the Mississippi River Interpretive Site Museum. Located in Vicksburg, the museum explains the history of the Mississippi River and the Corps’ role in this history. Bradley was a team member on the Bossier City Reconnaissance Study to evaluate potential ways to alleviate flooding in the Bossier City area that includes a complex system of bayous and rivers. He served as a science fair judge for local elementary schools and has spoken to students about engineering opportunities during career days at Vicksburg High School. william.n.bradley@mvk02.usace.army.mil
Rose M. Garrett, P.E., a mechanical engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is an expert in the design and construction of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems (HVAC). Garrett works in the Corps of Engineers Little Rock, Arkansas, District for the Engineering & Construction Division as a mechanical designer and reviewer on new construction projects and renovation of existing facilities, specializing in HVAC systems design. As a designer, she models the facility in a computerized heat-load analysis program to determine the cooling and heating requirements. She selects the appropriate equipment and size of the ductwork and piping to meet the space demands. The HVAC system components are provided on detailed contract drawings and specifications for construction. Among other projects, Garrett has worked on designs ranging from child development centers to engine/propeller storage facilities. As part of the Chemical Stockpile Evacuation Preparedness Program, several schools in the vicinity of the Pine Bluff Arsenal received overpressure systems. These systems are designed to create a positive pressure in the interior space by providing filtered, conditioned air to a facility. The over-pressurization helps prevent infiltration and protects the occupants in the event of a chemical release and possible air contamination. Garrett served as a mechanical designer or reviewer on several of these facilities. Garrett is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers and serves as the Sergeant at Arms for the Federal Employees Toastmasters Club of Little Rock. She is a recipient of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service and volunteers her time to encourage students to pursue a career in engineering.
Sherene M. Opichka, EIT, a structural engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Huntsville, Alabama, is an explosive safety expert. Opichka tests and models engineering controls used to reduce fragmentation effects. The engineering controls are small structures, made of aluminum or steel used when digging up unexploded ordnance. They protect the public from fragments in the case of an accidental detonation. Opichka analyzes cased munitions to predict fragmentation and blast effects and also designs blast resistant structures for the Department of Defense’s national and international customers. She reviews the manufacturer’s drawings of cased munitions, models the round, and applies equations in Army technical manuals to determine the worst case fragmentation distance. Opichka recently designed a retrofit headwall for an earth covered storage magazine. sherene.m.opichka@hnd01usace.army.mil
Joshua Peters, EIT, a mechanical engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Japan, is a Computer Aided Design Drafting (CADD) expert. Peters began his career working for the Pittsburgh District on the design of mechanical systems associated with Lock and Dam operation and the maintenance of the nation’s waterways. Currently, he is working for the Corps in Camp Zama, Japan, where he supports some of the most forward deployed components of the U.S. military. His work includes designs of bulk fuel storage systems, heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for various facilities, runway de-icing applications, and anti-terrorist force protection considerations for the installations. Peters has established CADD standards and libraries that are used by other engineers within the Design Branch. He develops cooling and heating load analysis in support of HVAC projects. The cooling and heating analysis is the starting point for any design requiring an HVAC system. For a new facility this analysis is instrumental in ensuring a complete and reliable design and serves as the foundation for the mechanical system. Peters is an energetic advocate for young people entering the engineering profession and has participated in Engineers Week by visiting high schools to educate and increase the students' interest in engineering. Peters is an active member of the Society of American Military Engineers. |
William Bradley, EIT
Rose M. Garrett, P.E.
Sherene M. Opichka, EIT
Joshua P. Peters, EIT
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National Engineers Week Foundation
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