HORST UEBLACKER, P. E.
Over 30 years of experience in engineering geology and applied rock mechanics related to design and construction of hydroelectric, water resources, transportation, and other large engineering projects. This includes all phases of project development from feasibility level investigations and design through construction. Background includes exploration, design and construction with responsibility to coordinate and perform field investigations including detailed geologic mapping, bore hole logging, testing, monitoring, hydrological interpretation, report preparation, design and directing installation of ground support systems.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
Registered Professional Engineer: Colorado (No.12947)
California (Civil, No. 35995C, Geotechnical, No. 000845)
EDUCATION
BS/Electrical Engineering, Bundesgewerbeschule Steyr, Austria, 1960
Postgraduate studies:
Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Leopold Mueller, Internationale Versuchsanstalt fuer Fels – INTERFELS, Salzburg, Austria, 1960-1963 and
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES, Golden, Colorado, USA, 1965-1970
University of Alaska (1973) Advanced Studies in Arctic Engineering
Advanced Studies in Engineering Geology and Rock Mechanics:
Continuing Education Courses in Rock Mechanics, Rock Engineering and Geological Engineering, University of Colorado, University of California, and MIT
Independent Studies: Engineering Geology, Applied Rock Mechanics, Dam Engineering, Large Cavern Design, Tunneling (NATM) and Geotechnical Engineering
OTHER TRAINING
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation – Geological Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams
COUNTRIES OF WORK
Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Philippines, Greece, Italy, Japan, Indonesia, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, United States
LANGUAGES
Fluent German and English
MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSSIONAL SOCIETIES
- United States Society on Dams USSD
- American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE
- International Society for Rock Mechanics
- American Rock Mechanics Association ARMA
EXPERIENCE
1969 to present: Ueblacker Associates, Consulting Engineers and Geologists, Lakewood, Colorado, U.S.A.
Position Held: Consulting Civil and Geotechnical Engineer for hydroelectric, water resources, and other large engineering projects.
Duties: Project development and project management. Reconnaissance, feasibility, design level, and construction stage geologic and geotechnical investigations for dams, reservoirs, tunnels, highways and other large engineering projects. Natural hazards analysis and mitigation (landslides, rock fall, debris flows, avalanches). Design of protective structures. Seismotectonic studies and determination of earthquake loading parameters. Stability evaluation and design of dams, surface and underground excavations, tunnels, slopes, embankments, foundations, and retaining walls, including rock support, earth anchor and soil nailing applications. Roller compacted concrete (RCC) gravity dam and pressure tunnel design. Instrumentation and testing. Feasibility and cost studies. Supervision of construction. Consulting Engineering Geologist for heavy construction firms, conducting pre-bid geologic investigations for large underground construction projects, evaluating ground conditions, excavation methods, stability and support requirements, ground water control, and providing consultation during construction.
1998: Morrison Knudsen International, Inc., Kali Gandaki “A” Hydroelectric Power Project, Nepal
Position Held: Chief Geologist/Geotechnical Engineer/Principal Design Engineer
Description of Duties: Responsible for completing the detailed geologic and geotechnical investigations for this project during the const ruction design and project implementation phase including the stability evaluation, final design, instrumentation, and construction supervision of all major excavations (desander facility, powerhouse, dam sites, surge shaft, and pressure tunnels).
1967 to 1969: Colorado Division of Highways, Eisenhower Tunnel First Bore, USA
Position Held: Rock Mechanics Engineer
Description of Duties: Responsible for training and supervising personnel assigned to rock mechanics instrumentation and testing program. Provided stability and structural analyses for various tunnel designs; evaluated contractor proposals for alternate tunnel designs; and developed and implemented numerous remedial support measures during tunnel construction.
1964 to 1967: Terrametrics, Inc., Golden, Colorado, USA
Position Held: Chief Engineer/Vice President
Description of Duties: The development, testing, and application of various types of instrumentation designed for monitoring the stability of tunnels, slopes, underground mine openings, power houses and dams. Foundation investigations for Pyramid Dam (CA), Muddy Run Dam (PA) and instrumentation of Cabin Creek Pumped Storage Project (CO), Shelbyville Dam (IL), Stockton Dam (MO), and Green Peter Dam (OR), all in the USA.
1960 to 1964: Eastman International and Interfels, Germany/Austria
Position Held: Rock Mechanics Instrumentation Engineer
Description of Duties: Responsible for the development, testing, and application of various instruments designed for monitoring displacements, stresses, and deformations in rock. Instrumentation of Gepatch Dam (Austria), Vajont Dam (Italy), and Kurobe Dam (Japan).
1954 to 1960: Salzach Kohlenbergbau, Austria
Position Held: Mining Engineer Trainee
Description of Duties: Responsible for the layout, design, and construction of underground rooms for installation of electric transformers and coal crushers; testing and performance of various types of supports and coal cutting machines used in longwall mining of a three to five meter thick bituminous coal seam; and the installation and maintenance of the conveyor, ventilation, and drainage systems.
PUBLICATIONS
Ueblacker, H., 1967. Lateral Deformation Indicator, methods and devices for the measurement of borehole deflection and rock movement normal to the axis of a drill hole: U.S. Patent Office, Washington, D.C. (U.S. Patent #3,323,216)
Ueblacker, H., 1967. Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Messen von Gebirgsbewegungen: Oesterreichisches Patent Amt, Vienna, Austria (Austrian Patent #255146)
Ueblacker, H., 1968. Procede et Dispositif de Mesure de Mouvements Orogeniques se Produisant Transversalement a un Trou de Forage: Republique Francaise Ministere de L’Industrie Service de la Propriete Industrielle, Paris, France (French Patent #1,518,714, E21b)
Ueblacker, H., 1968. Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Messen von Quer Zu Einem Bohrloch Verlaufenden Gebirgsbewegungen: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft, Eidgenoessisches Amt fuer Geistiges Eigentum, Zuerich, Switzerland (Swiss Patent #451 858)
Ueblacker, H., 1973. ‘NTERACT’, A Comp uter Program for Conducting Structural Analysis of Tunnel Support and Lining Systems: Tunnels and Tunnelling, January/February 1973, 8 Buckingham Street, London WC2, 4 p., 7 ref.
Ueblacker, H., 1983. Role of the Geotechnical Consultant in Dam Site Investigations, Bull. Assoc. Eng. Geol., Vol. XX, No. 1, February 1983, pp. 100-103.
Ueblacker, H., 1989. Prestressing of Pressure Tunnel Liners using the Austrian (TIWAG) Gap Grouting Method: Technology Update Lecture, November 28, 1989 for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Ueblacker, H., 1990. Feasibility Study and Preliminary Design, Hanging Lake and Reverse Curve Tunnels, Glenwood, Canyon, Colorado: Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Unique Underground Structures, Denver, Colorado U.S.A., June 12-15, 1990, 17 pages, 3 references. Available from Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado.
Ueblacker, H., 1993. Proposed avalanche control alternatives, Stanley Avalanche, Berthoud Pass, Colorado. (updated and expanded from 1992): Proceedings, International Conference on Transportation Facilities Through Difficult Terrain, August 10-13, 1993, Aspen, Colorado, U.S.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 475-486.
Ueblacker, H., in preparation. Geotechnical Challenges In Constructing The Kali Gandaki Hydroelectric Power Project (HEPP), Nepal.
Ueblacker, H., in preparation. Planning of Large-Scale Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage in Colorado.
Ueblacker, H., 2006. Feasibility Study and Preliminary Design of Union Park Dam: Proceedings 26th USSD Annual Meeting and Conference, May 1-5, 2006, San Antonio, Texas, 32 pages, 29 references.