Press Releases / Article

Peter Kolf, P.E., S.E., and MDSCC Antenna Pedestal Team Receives CTLGroup’s Gene Corley Legacy Award

July 25, 2018

Peter Kolf, P.E., S.E., and MDSCC Antenna Pedestal Team Receives CTLGroup’s Gene Corley Legacy Award

SKOKIE, IL (July 25, 2018) – On April 6, 2018 CTLGroup’s Peter Kolf, P.E., S.E., was presented the Gene Corley Legacy Award in recognition of his and his team’s work on the MDSCC Antenna Pedestal Project in 2017. Mr. Kolf was selected amongst a pool of CTLGroup staff nominees who demonstrated above-and-beyond contributions to the engineering and materials science profession.

CTLGroup was approached by JPL/NASA in regards to concrete quality problems that were being encountered during replacement of the azimuth track runner for their Deep Space Network 34-Meter Antenna, DSS-54, which is located at the MDSCC Station near Madrid, Spain. CTLGroup’s work was commissioned because of the extended relationship that CTLGroup has held with JPL for the past 35 years.

The objective of the project was to evaluate the cause of the concrete quality problems and provide engineering services needed to return the antenna to service.  JPL was concerned that the antenna, which was critical to tracking certain spacecraft, would need to be in continued service until two new planned antennas would be constructed and put into operation. CTLGroup performed a comprehensive field investigation which included visual examinations, nondestructive testing, and removal of concrete core samples. The Project Team’s report to JPL addressed root cause of the concrete distress (ASR) and also provided recommendations to mitigate ASR and monitor the concrete pedestal until permanent repairs could be performed.

The Project Team developed details for a temporary structural repair that would enable the antenna to return to service until more extensive repairs could be performed at a later date. The team also worked with a local ready mix concrete producer to develop a concrete repair mix for the temporary repairs that included fly ash to mitigate ASR. Because of the urgency to put this antenna back in operation, work was conducted under an aggressive schedule and NASA awarded the JPL Project Team with a NASA Group Achievement Award to “DSS-54 Track and Pedestal Concrete Repair Team.”

Peter Kolf and the MDSCC Antenna Pedestal Team were considered great contenders for this award not only because they addressed the needs of a long term client, but because the project included both project schedule as well as geographical challenges.

The W. Gene Corley Legacy Award honors CTLGroup’s late Senior Vice President, Dr. Gene Corley, SE, who was a pioneer in structural and forensic engineering as well as an expert on building collapse investigations and building codes. The Gene Corley Award is annually awarded to an individual or team for their endeavors that go above and beyond the normal scope of their responsibilities, contributing to advances in structural engineering or materials science outside of the CTLGroup walls, thereby promoting the firm’s mission and values.

“Peter is an exceptional engineer that is always hands-on, detail oriented, and conscientious in his work. He looks out for his clients and the people that work around him. Peter is an outstanding employee and more than deserving to have won this award.” said Brian Schudiske, Chief Executive Officer.

CTLGroup is an internationally recognized engineering, architecture, and materials science consulting firm, providing expert technical services to clients across an array of industries. Our engineering expertise is complemented by one of the largest and most comprehensive private material and structural testing laboratories in the world. Headquartered in Skokie, Illinois, CTLGroup serves clients globally from offices in Austin, TX, Houston, TX, and Washington, DC. Website: www.ctlgroup.com

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