Paying for the Costs of Public Service?Methods and Issues
This paper addresses the impacts on urban infrastructure in terms of the facilities and services required and how they are paid for. Particular emphasis is placed on a methodological approach...
Computers Aren't Infallible
Blindly accepting answers just because they are computer-generated does not make for good engineering. Wrong answers may result from software, computer or input problems. Users and programmers...
Advances in Short Span Steel Bridges
Applying recent research to the design of short span steel bridges can lower their cost and maintenance. Such research involves improved limit state criteria, more uniform lateral load...
Second-Guessing the Engineer
The relationships between utilities and the bodies that regulate them have changed drastically in the past few years. No longer can any costs associated with the construction of new power...
How to Strengthen Client-Consultant Relationships
Effective use of a professional consultant is often diminished by poor management-staff communication. Consultants, because of their previous experience, may be able to provide input to...
Managing Overhead in Consulting Engineering Firms
One of the ways an engineering firm can maintain - or increase - profitability is through judicious management of overhead. Yet various industry studies suggest that the typical engineering...
Establishing a Computerized Accounting System in a Consulting Firm
If it has been determined that there is a need for a computer, the next step is to determine the software programming needs. The two distinct options in software are 'packaged'...
Plastic Design Requirements of the AISC Proposed LRFD Specification
The American Institute of Steel Construction proposed LRFD Specification (1) has recently completed a one year period of trial use and review. This paper discusses the background of the...
Project Management for Company Growth and Success
Many skills are not included in the technical training of an engineer; thus, it is not surprising that technical managers may not be good project managers. Activities outside one's...
Specialization Vs. Diversification ? Relevant Considerations
The health, well-being, and growth of consulting engineering firms demand a successful strategy covering specialization vs. diversification. A discussion of the pros and cons and some...
Competitive Strategies for Growth
A discussion is given on the approach of Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. to the question of specialization versus diversification in a consulting engineering firm. It was easy to opt...
Specialization or Diversification: The Role of Strategic Planning
The question faced by many consultants and constructors as they plan for the future is: Should we specialize or diversify in order to survive, grow and prosper? This paper proposes that...
Consulting Engineers' Experience with CAD
A general, brief history of the role of computers in design in consulting engineering practice is presented. Their changing role from their initial early use to today's involvement...
ASCE Salary Survey 1983
This is the seventeenth report in a series of biennial salary surveys conducted by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Salary data is reported on seven major categories for civil...
Consulting Engineering
How Can Manual 45 be Improved?
Using CADD for Fun and Profit
American Bridge Engineers, a Pittsburgh full service engineering, architecture and planning firm, is still exploring the full capabilities of its CADD (computer aided design and drafting)...
CADD: Getting the Right Fee
For those engineering consultants who use CADD systems on government cost-plus fixed-fee contracts, the author sugests establishing a CADD cost center that includes all costs involved...
Market Research and the Engineering Firm
In an age of volatile market changes and stiff competition, engineering firms need continuous market research, the author writes, leading to development of an effective marketing plan....
The Successful Job Interview: Dos and Don'ts
A job interview primer suggests ways to land the job you want with a consulting engineering firm. A key factor to the successful job interview is careful preparation. With careful research,...
The Microcomputer Explosion in Civil Engineering Firms
During the next five years, small and medium size consulting engineering firms will undergo many changes. The key changing force is the low cost ($2500 to $20,000) microcomputer. Already,...
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