Filter Design History and a One-Step Design Process: Download

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The webinar consists of two basic parts:
• A history of filter design practice including theoretical design considerations.
• A step-by-step design process with criterion for the design of a critical filter for one example soil type.

The primary topics covered in the first part of the webinar are:
1. Early filter designs that addressed only interparticle seepage and piping.
2. The historical research performed by Sherard et al to develop critical filters for soils with defects (cracks, etc.)
in the soil.
3. The basis for regrading soils that contain considerable coarse-grained particles (gravels).

The primary topics covered in the second part of the webinar are:
1. A simplified, step-by-step process for designing filters that will comply with most agency design criteria.
2. A step-by-step detailed example of a filter design for one of the four base soil categories.

The step-by-step process is related to the most common agency design criteria and steps, including those of the USACE, Reclamation, and the NRCS.

Danny K. McCook, P.E.

Consultant, McCook Geotechnical Engineering, PLLC

Danny K. McCook, P.E., who passed away in 2013, was an independent consulting engineer specializing in the geotechnical analysis and design of small earthen embankments. In his 41 year career with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (he retired from there in October 2008), he prepared geotechnical design reports for hundreds of embankment projects across the US. He was the author of a variety of NRCS publications and training manuals on geotechnical topics. He presented papers at 16 ASDSO National and regional meetings. He received a BS degree from Texas Tech University in 1965 and a MS degree from the University of Nebraska in 1967, and was a registered PE in Texas and a member of ASCE and ASDSO.

James R. Talbot, P.E.

Consulting Engineer

James R. Talbot is a registered professional engineer with over 54 years of experience in design, construction, and rehabilitation of dams and hydraulic structures. For the past 19 years, he has been a senior consultant on design, construction and rehabilitation of dams as a self-employed independent consulting specialist. For 35 years, Mr. Talbot worked for the USDA Soil Conservation Service (SCS) [now Natural Resources Conservations Service (NRCS)]. The last 17 years of his time with SCS, he served as Chief Geotechnical Engineer in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Talbot was involved in research projects on filters for earth dams and has worked extensively in the area of seepage and piping control for embankment dams. Mr. Talbot was one of three co-authors who received the ASCE Norman Medal in 1985 for the paper; “Filters for Silts and Clays” resulting from the research on filters for earth dams.

Mr. Talbot received a B. S. Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah in 1960 and Completed Arthur Casagrande’s Special Masters Degree Program in Soil Engineering from Harvard University in 1968. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Oregon, Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia.

Mr. Talbot is a Fellow of ASCE, a member of ASDSO, USSD and ASTM where he is an honorary member of Committee D-18 for Soil and Rock.