If you have missed this conference in the past because you thought you didn't have the necessary background in karst to benefit from all the presentations, this is for you. An Introduction to the Engineering & Environmental Impacts of Karst Geology and Hydrology is being offered from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2003, preceding the conference. Beginning with fundamental principles, the instructors will explain how karstic drainage develops and how this relates to both contaminant transport and sinkhole collapse. They will discuss foundation problems related to karst, ground water flow in karst, and how karst in different geologic settings may vary. They will also review some of the various geophysical techniques used to investigate karst. The course will be taught by Dr. Barry F. Beck and Dr. Wanfang Zhou of P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates, Inc. For those of you who are looking to learn methods and approaches to mitigating karst hazards by grouting, this is the short course for you. An Introduction to Grouting in Karst is being offered from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 6, 2003, preceding the conference. The course will include a review of karst formation, karst investigation, introduction to grouting methods, review of grouting approaches to mitigating karst, design and verification issues and case histories demonstrating some of the presented grouting techniques and approaches. The instructor will present methods to design a grouting program to manage grout quantities and control grout injections to achieve specific stabilization objectives. The course will be taught by Michael J. Byle, P.E., F. ASCE of Gannett Fleming, Inc. Mr. Byle is a geotechnical engineer with more than 22 years of experience in grouting who has published, and presented 20 articles on grouting and karst, served as chair of the Geo-Institute Committee on Grouting and Chaired the recent international conference Grouting and Ground Treatment 2003. ASCE - World Headquarters 1801 Alexander Bell Drive Reston, Virginia 20191-4400 (800) 548-2723 or (703) 295-6300 (703) 295-6144 fax Send questions and comments to ASCE Conferences. In the case of technical issues, please contact the ASCE Webmaster. This page last updated November 5, 2002.