Corps Guidelines for Dam Safety Inspection Need Revamping
A protest (1) that Proposed Guidelines for Safety Inspection of Dams, Federal Register, August 1974, pp. 31334-31346, ignores well-publicized conclusions of a preexisting ASCE task committee...
Meeting the Earthquake Challenge: California's New Laws
California's recent earthquake laws are breaking new ground in public policy matters. In turn, these changes in law are also having significant impact on the approaches to...
Washington, D.C. Mall Tunnel
The 4,002 ft (1220 m) cut and cover tunnel crossing the Mall just west of the U.S. Capitol created some unusual construction and design problems. Three areas warrant special mention. These...
How Concerned Should Civil Engineers be with Fire Protection�
During the last five years, there has been increasing concern and interest in fire safety in buildings, especially tall buildings. This has resulted in new federal legislation, a new General...
Designing for the Disadvantaged: Optimum Design Considers All Users
Design practices in recent engineering projects show that consideration for the full human utility of building and transportation systems is receiving increasing attention. Previously,...
British New Towns and the Civil Engineer
Since World War II Britain has built or is building several dozen New Towns. The first, designed to absorb London's growth, pioneered with breakthroughs in housing layouts...
Canadian University to Launch Building-Engineering Program
To meet the practical needs of the building industry, Sir George Williams University (Montreal) plans to launch this fall a building-engineering program. The new curriculum is expected...
9000 psi Concrete�� Why? Why not�
High strength concrete is being used in many high-rise apartment and office buildings. In this case, high strength means 9000 psi (62.0 MPa). Quality control, aggregate availability and...
Helicopter-Erected Tower Crane Demolishes Buildings
A signigicant logistics and scheduling problem existed for the demolition of these old buildings and the erection of a new one in the middle of an existing plant. Careful construction...
ASCE Local Level Public Service Actions Have Big Impact
A round-up of local-level ASCE public service programs: educating minorities, tutoring projects, position papers on local issues, state legislature watchdog operations, advising local...
8-Story Building Moved to Avoid Wrecker's Ball
In Bogota, Colombia, a 7000 ton (15400kips) was moved almost 100 ft (30 m) to make way for a much needed highway arterial. Instead of wrecking the structure, an apartment building in a...
Protecting Your Firm against Liability Claims
In recent years, lawsuits against design professionals have sharply increased. One consulting firm in four now faces a liability claim. Many suits result when the same architect, engineer,...
Current Competence: Current Dilemma
ASCE has taken a stand on requirements for renewal of engineering licenses. The statement supports efforts to assure public safety but does not recommend mandatory additional requirements...
US Water Cleanup Program Speeds Up�But Still Much Red Tape
Since Congress enacted the Federal Pollution Control Amendments (P.L. 92-500) in 1972, little progress has been made in cleaning up the nation's waters. In fact, public dollars...
Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings
Can we, as federal officials estimate, cut energy use in existing buildings by 25? %Here are some existing buildings in which notable energy savings are being achieved�� and how it was...
Renovation and Recycling�� New Life for Old Buildings
Most cities have older buildings, many of which have historic significance. Some are structurally sound but have fallen into disuse. Others may require massive rehabilitation, but their...
Citizen Participation: Assessing Public Attitudes
One of a short series of articles how to achieve effective citizen participation. A case history approach is used focusing on a proposed highway relocation in Ottowa, Canada. Techniques...
Local Land Use Workshops Help
Most land use decisions always have been made, and will continue to be made at local and state levels, often by laymen who are not familiar with vital engineering considerations. This...
Civil Engineers and Unions in Sweden
The history, education, and professional practice of civil engineering in Sweden are briefly reviewed. The services and function of the Swedish Society of Civil Engineers and the National...
Engineering the First Mass Transit Tramway
Aerial tramways are not normally considered for a cross-town mass transit system. They are no longer limited to the ski resorts since construction of the link between Manhattan Island...
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