Transportation & Energy
Proceedings of the Urban Transportation Division Specialty Conference, held in the Rosslyn Ramada Inn, Washington, D.C., May 22-24, 1978. Sponsored by the Urban Transportation Division...
Making Maps by Computer
For making maps, digitizer-computer-plotter systems are increasingly popular. Here are case histories of three applications�by Brooklyn (New York City) Union Gas. Co. for keeping track...
Transforming a Meeting from Confrontation to Cooperation
Public meetings are frequently prescribed as part of major public works projects; unfortunately, they often become scenes of massive confrontation, rather than cooperation. What can be...
Sand and Gravel � Don't Take Them for Granted
One assumes the supply of sand and gravel is inexhaustible. In fact, at certain times and places it is not. At least not at today's relatively low prices. This is particularly...
Channel Siltation Determined with Side-Scan Radar
Of the new electronic means to measure water depth, side-scan sonar is unusual in that it gives not just a cross-section of the bottom but a semi-3-D picture of the bottom surface. Experienced...
The Field Engineer: Political and Legal Scapegoat�
The publicly-employed engineer can be in a vulnerable legal position. A case history is described in which a field engineer was indicted on criminal charges after a bridge collapse (during...
Are Cities Doing Enough to Remove Cancer-Causing Chemicals From Drinking Water�
Is drinking water with its more than 300 organic chemicals present in trace quantities, a cause of cancer? Are there technically and economically feasible ways to remove these chemicals?...
Jane Jacobs: Urban Planning Heretic
The impact of Jane Jacobs' book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, published in 1961, is assessed and, to some extent, contrasted with the more tangible legacy of...
Why Do Bridges Fail�
From the study of 143 bridge failures that occurred throughout the world from 1847 to 1975, it is found that there are nine categories of failure. The most frequent of these is failure...
Shotcrete for Ground Support
Proceedings of the Engineering Foundation Conference, held at Tidewater Inn, Easton, Maryland, October 4-8, 1976. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, American Concrete...
Is There Anything to �Encounter Groups'�
Group therapy in some cases is working for Weight Watchers, Alcoholics Anonymous, drug addicts, couples whose marriages are in trouble. Here are brief case histories of some of these....
The CRT Computer-Graphics Terminal: Indispensible Design-Aid for Some Structural Engineers
Putting the benefits of computer graphics within the cost reach of many consulting firms are: the development of low-cost ($3,000 to $10,000) storage-tube CRT graphics terminals; and the...
Automatic Surveying � Updating Canada's Control
With Litton's
California Coastal Commission Accepts Advice from ASCE on Earthquake Design Controversy
A case history is described of an ASCE section (San Francisco) causing a public agency to change its position with respect to earthquake design criteria. The California Central Regional...
Ethics: Wisconsin Section Sparks Timely Discussion
Eight case studies of ethical questions were debated in an audience participation panel format, at the 1975 Wisconsin Section ASCE Annual Meeting. The program was judged successful for...
Recycling Refuse Into Energy
Some 50% of large cities, 10% of small ones reportedly are talking about recycling their municipal refuse. Several are building facilities or have recently begun operations. This article...
Minorities in the Engineering and Scientific Profession
This publication consists of papers presented to the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives, August 14, 1976 in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics of papers include creating pipelines:...
Improving Your Writing�� Part II
Whereas Part I on Improving your writing (Jan., '75) talked about how to find something to say, this article (Part II) focuses on how to say it clearly, simply, forcefully....
Engineering Education: Can It be More Practical�
U.S. engineering schools were derailed after World War II by some well-meaning educators who decided future engineers should be patterned after physicists and aero-space scientists. Post-war...
Local Land Use Control Over Critical Areas
Some people advocate land-use plans that ban development in environmentally critical areas. But courts are overturning such regulations because they take land without compensation. Better...
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