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Kenneth D. Hansen Concrete Dam Paper Prize

USSD is proud to work with Kenneth D. Hansen to offer this new paper prize. This award, which will be funded annually by Kenneth D. Hansen, will include a $10,000 prize for a paper focused on concrete dams, with the intent being to instill greater confidence for owners, engineers, and regulators in the benefits of innovative design and construction techniques of concrete dams. Ken identifies concrete dams as “First Class Dams,” meaning they do not erode when overtopped nor settle when shaken in a seismic event. The intentions of the prize include:

Recognize an original, unpublished paper that adheres to the tenants of the award as described. Papers submitted for the 2023 or 2024 USSD Annual Conference may be considered.

To instill greater confidence for owners, engineers, and regulators in the benefits of innovative design and construction techniques of concrete dams, which are also identified by Ken as “First Class Dams.” (Note: “First Class .. See More

Focus on practical and innovative solutions that make concrete dams easier to design and construct. The prize is not intended to showcase advanced structural analyses, numerical analyses, or other similar analytical and/or computer- .. See More

Submission Guidelines

USSD members are encouraged to submit papers, but membership in USSD is not required to be considered for the annual prize. Use the online form to submit your paper adhering to the following guidelines.

The paper is complete at the time of submission.

You have approval from your employer, client, and all co-authors to submit the paper.

The paper is an original work that: Has NOT been published and/or scheduled to be published in other magazines, journals, or conference proceedings; AND Has NOT have been presented and/or scheduled to be presented at other conferences. .. See More

Submission package (PDF format) limited to no more than 25 pages, including photos and figures.

Must include all co-authors that contributed to the paper. Please indicate which co-authors (maximum of 4) will split the cash prize and receive a medal.

About Ken

About Ken

Ken Hansen was born in New York City in 1931 and moved with his family to Albuquerque when he was a teen. He graduated high school early and entered the University of New Mexico after receiving a half-tuition scholarship of $42.50 per semester. While at UNM he joined the New Mexico Air National Guard and was called to active duty in the Air Force for 18 months during the Korean War. After being discharged, Ken used the GI Bill to re-enroll at UNM and complete his B.S. degree in Architectural Engineering.

Award Timeline

Submission Window

December 6, 2023 - March 1, 2024

Review of submissions

March 2-13, 2024

Notifications

March 14-19, 2024

Award Presentation

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 (at USSD Annual Conference & Exhibition)

Potential Topics and Submission Requirements



POTENTIAL TOPICS INCLUDE: 1) Conditions where only a concrete dam should be considered; 2) Design of concrete dams on non-rock foundations case studies; 3) Advantages of concrete dams over earth dams – a listing; 3) Did you consider all cost related items in your comparative dam type selection study; 4) Effect of duration of infrequent high intensity floods and earthquakes on dam types; 5) What are all the risks and costs associated when a concrete dams vs earth dams subjected to earthquakes with special emphasis of duration of strong shaking; 6) Why an owner may not want the estimated lowest first cost dam type; 7) Conditions where a concrete dam most likely will n=be the lowest total cost alternative; 8) Re-analysis of dam failure data concrete vs earth dam failures with greater emphasis on more recent failures. ALL SUBMISSIONS SHOULD FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES:

1. Limit your submission package (PDF format) to no more than 25 pages, including photos and figures.

2. Your submission must include all co-authors that contributed to the paper. Please indicate which co-authors (max of 4) will split the cash prize.

4. Provide details of other journals, conference proceedings, conferences and/or events where the paper has been published or presented.

Review and Selection



Papers will be reviewed by the KDHCD Paper Prize Selection Committee. Papers will be reviewed and judged based upon the following criteria.

40% - Focus on practical and innovative solutions that make concrete dams easier to design and construct

35% - Quality of Paper and accompanying materials

25% - Positive impact on the industry

Award

The designated authors of the winning paper (maximum of 4) will receive a medal and a cash prize of $10,000 which will be split evenly amongst the designated authors. In lieu of receiving the cash prize, any winning author(s) may choose to leave the funds to be used towards next year’s award.

Ready to submit a paper?

Contacts

Got Questions: Email USSD at info@ussdams.org