Avoiding Cracks in Brickwork
Many aspects of movement and differential movement have been discussed. However, other movements and effects of movement that have not been discussed may also affect the performance of...
Statistical Analysis of Tellico Dam Piezometer Data
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the use of statistical and computer processing methods as a tool for analyzing dam safety piezometric monitoring data. Statistical methods are...
Intrinsic Models for Interactive Structural Design
This paper introduces a 'generic' model for interactive design of constructed facilities. The proposed methodology takes real world conditions, in terms of load...
Expert System for Risk Assessment of Concrete Dams
An expert system is presented that will assist a field inspector, during the site investigation of an existing concrete dam, to perform a preliminary structural risk assessment of the...
Pattern Recognition Techniques for Distinguishing Structural Failure Modes from High Pressure Loading Records
Pattern recognition techniques have been successfully employed in a wide variety of fields, such as geophysical exploration, medical diagnosis, radar tracking, and earthquake structural...
Facing Failures: Alleged or Actual
Every practitioner, in a large or small office, faces the possibility of an accusation of causing, directly or indirectly, a failure. The resulting embarrassment, frustration, regret,...
Failures: Who Did It - How Did It Happen?
The forensic engineer investigates the cause of failures and determines, from an engineering viewpoint, who was responsible for that failure. These failures need not be catastrophic but...
How Do I Find the Information I Needed Yesterday?
One reason that the professional has not been more effective in learning from failures is that the information disseminated has not always reached the right people. The Architecture and...
Avoiding Failures Caused by Lack of Management
Engineering failure often results from administrative or managerial failure. In addition to providing sound engineering or technical services, we have a responsibility to administer and...
Practice of Risk Analysis in the Private Sector
Although risk-analysis is currently gaining acceptance in the decision process among engineers involved in public safety of water resources projects, the 'state-of-the-art'...
Advances in Analysis of Structural Masonry
The papers in this book were presented at the technical session, Advances in Analysis of Structural Masonry, at the ASCE Structures Congress '86 held in New Orleans, LA, on...
Modeling Human Error in Structural Design and Construction
Human error is recognized as the major cause of structural failure. Moreover, it may greatly exacerbate the damaging effect of other hazards, such as earthquakes. The objectives of this...
Shopping for a New Bridge Coat
Total shop coating of new steel bridges appears to be the best armor against corrosion. This alternative is one of three techniques for diminishing the difficulty and expense of painting...
Grouting a Sand Dam
Hardy Dam, owned by Michigan's Consumers Power Co., was constructed in 1929 by dumping sand from railroad trestles for an embankment to support a concrete core wall. Some...
Quality of Inspectors?In Search of Excellence
Assuring quality in construction has become a major challenge to the design/construction industry today. Attention to the issue has been a result of problems in the nuclear power industry...
Management Lessons from Engineering Failures
Engineering failures are not always catastrophic. More are due to improper management of contracts rather than actual physical failures. Some result in loss of life; most result in disputes...
Bus Maintenance Cost Control
Effective bus maintenance programs are essential for the cost-effective provision of reliable transit service. Standard tools for maintenance management include preventative maintenance...
On-Line Computerized Maintenance Management
Maintenance is the last cost saving frontier of scientific management. Top management has concentrated on production for generations, largely ignoring maintenance. The attitude of 'fix...
Learning From Failure
Innovative engineering design involves assumptions about the future use and behavior of a structure. By understanding and learning from the infrequent but spectacular large failures, engineers...
Design of Strontia Springs Arch Dam
The development of the layout and the history of design of the 292 foot (89 m) high Strontia Springs Dam is presented. While a brief description of the general project layout and foundation...
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