Research Needs Related to the Nation's Infrastructure
The engineering community, which designs and constructs infrastructure facilities, must look for innovative ways to do a more efficient job. Although some research has focused on problems...
Structural Trends in New York City Buildings
This story is based on interviews with some leading structural engineers in New York City. It highlights the major structural trends in building design in that city. Case histories of...
Inspecting Buildings During Construction: Are We Doing a Good Enough Job?
Everyone agrees that inspecting buildings during their construction is important�and that it could be done a lot better than in the past. Suggestions for improving inspection practice...
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings: The Story Behind Their Rapid Growth
In 1964, pre-engineered metal buildings accounted for 24% of new non-residential, low-rise construction. By 1981, that figure had jumped to 56%. Behind that rapid growth are some very...
Ports 83
The Ports '83 Specialty Conference, whose theme is Modernization, Upgrading and Repairs, covers considerations in port operations, design and construction due to obsolescence...
The Quiet Revolution in Skyscraper Design
Since the 1960's, there has been a major change in the philosophy for designing high-rise buildings. Up to that time, most buildings were designed to resist wind forces by...
Underground
The Civil and Mineral Engineering Building at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis was designed with careful attention to the environment. In the years ahead, this building will...
Restoration
After the San Fernando earthquake of 1971, California's State Capitol Building was declared an earthquake hazard and vacated. It took the most extensive structural and architectural...
Mall
In order to get its citizens back on its downtown streets after 6 PM, Milwaukee decided to build a mall, combining new buildings along with renovations of existing buildings. The problem...
Building Trends: The View from Houston
Highligts of the major changes in building design and construction over the past decade are presented from a structural engineer's viewpoint. The areas covered include: (1)...
West Coast High-Rise Condo Opts for Ductile Concrete Frame
In the past, the vast majority of high-rise buildings constructed in earthquake prone areas of the West Coast have employed a steel frame. However, recent advances have made it feasible...
Word Processing: Office Personnel's Friend or Foe?
The introduction of word processing centers into the workplace brought about the restructuring of office duties and new demands on workers. Word processing received blame for a variety...
Underpinning with Chemical Grout
During construction of Pittsburgh's new subway, it became necessary to protect the foundations of six downtown buildings. A detailed study of building foundation support options...
Proposition 13: Impact on California Public Works
The effect of proposition 13, which was passed in California in June 1978, has hurt the ability of local governments in the state to raise funds to construct new infrastructure and maintain...
Design of Ships for Ice Environments
A number of feasibility studies have proven the reliability of marine transportation for the Arctic. Current research and development in this field, especially in the USA and Canada, is...
Design of Bridges for Ice Forces
Sources of knowledge on ice forces and ice effects on bridges are listed and discussed briefly. Comments are made on experience of damage by ice and on the influence on bridge costs of...
Rehabbing Historic Buildings
Historic buildings often require structural upgrading before the cosmetics of restoration can be applied. Two case studies are presented here. The Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle required...
Preparation of Equipment for Cold Regions
An overview of equipment required to support arctic construction is presented. Special features which have been incorporated into standard equipment designs are explained. Also presented...
The Civil Engineer and the Decay of America's Infrastructure
With the infrastructure of the United States continuing to deteriorate, the problem becomes who will decide how much to spend in both repairing, maintaining and building new facilities...
Passive Solar and Daylighting Cut Building's Energy Use
The headquarters building for Gulf Mineral Resources Co. near Denver requires about one-quarter of the energy generally used in a new conventional building. A double skin provides a thermal...
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