My Essential Question

How are different road surfaces chosen for certain roads and what are the pros and cons of each?

I have always found roads as something interesting and have always wanted to stop and watch every step of the process for a road being constructed. Finding the answer to this question will help show me why some roads are concrete, some are asphalt, gravel or even all the new synthetic materials that are on the market today. It will also provide me with some great insight into why engineers choose these certain compounds and what the processes are to create these extraordinary and complex paths of travel. This questions will keep me working hard because of my long past interest and fascination in roads and the machinery used to pave the highways and roads around us.

How Stuff Works... Landfills

The image displayed below is that of a cross-section drawing of a cell in a landfill. These are important to contain leachate which can affect ecosystems in and around areas in which landfills exist. There are many different important parts and layers of a landfill that a lot of people don't know about, because they are not seen. The most important layer is the bottom plastic liner. This keeps anything and everything from escaping into the groundwater. A few of the layers above catch small debris that cannot pass through the water collection system. The next few layers above are composed of garbage and soil in multiple layers to increase the rate of decomposition. 

Many harmful chemicals and gases can be built up or made while trapped under ground together. The drainage system allows for these chemical to pass through into a leachate pond for treatment at a water treatment facility, while harmful gases such as methane are piped out into holding containers until something can be done with them. As you can see many different pieces are crucial at these facilities, and it's the government’s job to make sure that these systems are constantly working properly to ensure the safety of the public and ourselves.

Freudenrich, Craig. How Stuff Works. 2010. 5 December 2010 <http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/landfill6.htm>.

Reflection

Over the past month at my mentorship, I have had the opportunity to learn and get acquainted with the Tidemark Advantage Program. Tidemark is a program that the county uses to file all of its storm water and other information that gives specific details and photos to supply information to the user without them having to search through a filing cabinet. The program itself is very extensive and has many different applications. I am currently working on entering storm water inventory sheets and attaching pictures to the files from storm water pipes throughout the entire county. Pipes throughout the county are given a number and that is how they are found throughout the system. From there you can access the pipe size and other information about height width length and what condition the pipe is in. The program is a great resource for all of the engineers and supplies them with the resources that they may need that instant without the hassle of a filing cabinet.

This past Wednesday was my birthday. I went to mentorship that day and was treated as I normally would be when I walked in the doors. I got a “happy birthday” wish from one or two and went to the computer as normal to begin setting up. I started working and shortly after an announcement came on the intercom for everyone including myself to report to the break room to celebrate my birthday. As I walked through the doors everyone in the department wished me a happy 18th birthday. I was surprised when I looked on the table to find a card from everyone and homemade banana bread. The banana bread was out of this world and everyone sat down to enjoy a few minutes with me for my birthday. It was a great surprise and quite a good day at mentorship…

Sentence Video

The Effects of Development and Topography on Run-Off

If there is one thing that really stands out to me about my mentorship, then it is how rain water and different slopes of land can drastically affect other areas that are "developed." Many areas that are being developed must be watched very carefully to ensure that no topsoil is escaping from the site and running with the flow of water to another piece of property. If this occurs at a location then the landowner could be fined. Engineers must keep a close eye on the contractors to make sure they are implementing all of the barriers and are retaining the soil at the site.

During my mentorship so far I have visited sites and analyzed how the flow of water could be diverted or slowed down to reduce or eliminate these problems. This is not only a problem at sites that are being developed but also very common at sites that are developed. Problems with clogged sewer lines and detention ponds can lead to flooding and even sink holes. For instance, if you are at the Best Buy in Gainesville and divert your attention to the parking lot, then you can visualize a problem with a detention pond. When the Gainesville location was built they were required to have a detention pond for their parking lot drainage. With no other place to put it because of insufficient space, they decided to put it under the parking lot. This site has recently been excavated because of a sinkhole starting to form in the parking lot.

If not monitored properly by engineers and those alike then buildings and other attractive architecture could be ruined by the great power of Mother Nature.

Detention Pond Example

Silt Fencing and Proper Matting

My Mission Statement

I strive to stand up and stand out in my community and my country for not only what I believe in but for others as well. I live to help others as well as myself in accomplishing goals and finding your true inner being. I will exert an influence on as many people as possible in a positive and dignified manner. As long as I live, I will have a true heart, be kind, gentle, and show an affection to others so that they might be motivated themselves to achieve beyond their goals.