In late 2013, Iowa’s Buchanan County engineers teamed with academia and industry to launch the V65 Jesup South Bridge Demonstration Project with the goal of illustrating the advantages of the eSPAN140 short span steel bridge design tool to accelerate steel bridge design and construction. …
Wood frame construction utilizing traditional and engineered wood products is the predominant method of building homes and apartments in the United States. Increasingly, wood framing is also being used in commercial and industrial buildings due to its economy and architectural flexibility. Wood frame buildings are economical to build in a wide range of climate zones. …
The Design-Build concept is gaining increased acceptance, and there’s no doubt it’s a seductive option to a cost-conscious building owner. Who wouldn’t want to shave off the direct cost of professional design fees? After all, a building’s a building, isn’t it, and it’ll come with a warranty, won’t it? Hey, the contractor promised to deliver a total package and understands my needs. …
What makes a bridge (or any other structure) sustainable? The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) defines sustainability as, “A set of environmental, economic and social conditions in which all of society has the capacity and opportunity to maintain and improve its quality of life indefinitely without degrading the quantity, quality or availability of natural, economic, and social resources.” …
There are many benefits to a diverse workforce of structural engineers. The representation of multiple perspectives and experiences in the workplace has shown to enhance innovation, creativity, knowledge, and productivity (NAS 2006). Even so, less than 15% of civil engineers are women and less than 20% are nonwhite. …
Alfred Benesch & Company was an Outstanding Award Winner for the 130th Street and Torrence Avenue Railroad Truss Bridge project in the 2013 NCSEA Annual Excellence in Structural Engineering awards program (Category – New Bridges & Transportation Structures). …
During my first NCSEA conference in 2011, I was inspired by the passion for the structural engineering profession displayed by my more senior peers. Throughout the conference, a major discussion topic was the need for structural licensure in addition to generic professional engineering licensure. As I listened to the arguments, I did not fully understand the reasoning either for or against structural licensure. …
Volunteer professional organizations occupy a significant role in the business, education, regulation and licensure of structural engineering. These groups provide a positive influence from the professionals’ vantage on the laws, integrity and quality of our careers and act as stewards for the profession. Over the years, several organizations focusing on structural engineering have addressed separately the many issues surrounding the practice. …
Regular readers of this column know that more often than not it addresses some aspect of the relationship between philosophy and engineering. It should thus be no surprise that I am eager to discuss a recent book called Philosophy and Engineering: Reflections on Practice, Principles and Process, edited by Diane P. Michelfelder, Natasha McCarthy, and David E. Goldberg, and published by Springer. …
Earlier this year, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) published A Comprehensive and Invaluable Treatise on all Forms of Steel Reinforcement Employed in the Design and Construction of Reinforced Concrete of Long Ago. …