Filter Design History and a One-Step Design Process: On-Demand

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Speakers: James R. Talbot, P.E., Consulting Engineer; and Danny K. McCook, P.E., Consultant, McCook Geotechnical Engineering, PLLC

PDHs: This webinar is eligible for 2 PDH credits.

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.