Eng. Christian Valerio (MYV) attended this training course about Computational Geotechnics and Finite Element Method organized by the Autonomous University of Queretaro. The course consisted of an intensive 3 days – 12 hours a day schedule, dealing with topics related to: elasticity and plasticity, non-linear calculations, in situ tests to obtain geotechnical parameters, structural elements, excavations, anchorages, advanced constitutive models, unsaturated soil mechanics, consolidation, design of embankments and earth dams, use of geotextiles, water flow through both saturated and unsaturated soil deposits, deep foundations, piled rafts. Eng. Valerio was the only non-Mexican Engineer that participated in the course and also, he had the chance to closely interact with the course instructors: Dr. Oscar Alejo (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina), MSc Dennis Waterman (Plaxis BV, The Netherlands), M.I. José Alfredo Zepeda (Autonomous University of Querétaro), Dr. Jaime Horta (Autonomous University of Querétaro), M.I. Juan Jacobo Schmitter (ICA) y M.C. Alfonso Manilla (National Autonomous University of México).

Eng. Mauricio Coto and Eng. Luis Vargas (MYV) attended this design course on rammed aggregate piers (Geopiers) that was held in Phoenix, Arizona. The invitation to participate in this course came directly to MYV from Geopiers Costa Rica. The course included the following topics: construction methods, settlement control, limit equilibrium determinations, floor slab support, liquefaction mitigation, transportation design (stability and settlements control), as well as support of large diameter tanks. These topics were complemented by the analysis of real cases of study. On the side of Geopiers Inc., the instructors were: Dr. Kord Wissmann, Brendan FitzPatrick, Dr. Jorge Parra and Dr. Manuel Gutiérrez. Course attendees came from different countries: Canada, México, United States, Costa Rica, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Lebanon, Turkey, and Germany.

Eng. Christian Valerio (MYV) attended this course about design with geotextiles organized by Tensar in México City. The invitation to participate in this course came directly to MYV from Tensar. This course included the following topics: design methods for Mechanically-Reinforced Earth Walls (AASTHO, FHWA, and others), design methods for Soil Reinforced Slopes, specifications of the materials and properties for design, as well as training in the design software. On the side of Tensar, the instructors were Eng. Eduardo Parajon and Eng. Willie Liew. Eng. Valerio was the only non-Mexican Engineer that participated in this course and also, he had the chance to interact with the instructors of Tensar in a close and direct manner.

Eng. Christian Valerio (MYV) attended the Geo-Frontiers 2011 Congress aiming at spreading and sharing, among the attendees, the latest developments in technology applied to the field of Geotechnical Engineering. In total, more than 2000 professionals from all over the world attended this Congress that included presentations of highly renowned professionals in the field such like: Norbert Morgenstern, Kenneth Stokoe, Antonio Bobet, Junichi Koseki, Kyle Rollins, Jason DeJong, Robert Holtz, Jie Han, Kenichi Soga, among others. The schedule of this Congress was made up of short courses, seminars, panel discussions, and student competitions, in several topics such: slope stability, ground improvement, geophysics and geotechnical exploration, geotextiles, geotechnical instrumentation, geotechnical design, retaining walls, and the like.

MYV brings to Costa Rica the first CPT truck to be owned by a Central American company. This truck was directly acquired from Gregg Drilling (California) and it weights 25 tons. The truck is of enormous help when it comes to direct-push technologies (CPT, CPTu, DMT, and SDMT). The first test of the CPT truck was carried out in San Pedro de Montes de Oca and the outcome of this test was exceptional, both in performance and efficiency. MYV is pleased to offer this equipment to the Engineering community as a manner of achieving better and faster geotechnical characterizations.