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...
Use of Private Contracting in Highway Maintenance
Managing the business of highway and bridge maintenance in this country is largely a function of the public sector. As in the private sector, economic realities during the past decade...
Micros Go Afield
Taking microcomputers into the field is boosting productivity at construction sites and other field offices. Four examples presented in this article include an owner calculating payments...
How Do Engineers Learn to Manage?
Most engineers prefer design problems to management problems, but if a firm is to prosper, project managers must learn to manage and devote time to management. Earth Technology Corporation...
A Contractor Looks at Slope Protection for Arctic Offshore Artificial Islands
Some thirty artificial gravel islands for oil and gas drilling/production have been built in the Beaufort Sea since early 70's. Protection of slopes of the islands and causeways...
Hazardous Waste: Closing the Insurance Gap
Insurers are withdrawing from the hazardous waste field because of large claims and increased risks. Therefore, cleanup contractors are being forced to look for alternative ways to protect...
Bid-Rigging: An Inside Story
William Carter, engineer and ASCE member, spent five months in prison in 1980 on conviction of conspiracy under U.S. antitrust laws in a case involving a Tennessee highway project for...
Procurement of New Passenger Rail Cars from Japan
In May 1983 the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) signed a contract with Sumitomo Corporation of America, in which Sumitomo agreed to furnish 63 new stainless steel gallery...
Construction Management: Dallas North Tollway Project
This article will attempt to illustrate the importance of flexibility of the design and construction inspection process to insure the project is constructed within the time and budget...
Closed Negotiations?Out with the Poker Players
The paper describes the closed negotiation process employed by one owner/client, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, in procuring firm, fixed price design service contracts. Although not...
Silent Negotiations: Listen with Your Eyes
More than sixty per cent of all communication is non-verbal. The impact of body language during negotiations can be either positive or negative, depending on the negotiator's...
Avoiding Lengthy and Costly Litigation by Negotiating Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods
A 'hot issue' in the construction industry today is the negative aspects perceived from wide arbitration use over the last 15 years. Although hearings usually...
Advantages of Standard Contract Forms
The standard forms produced by the Engineer's Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC) offer many advantages to Engineers and others involved in the negotiation and preparation...
Techniques of Negotiation
Three primary qualities are necessary for effective negotiation: knowledge, attitude, and skill. The author's firm has successfully used a negotiating team approach. This...
Checking Off CADD Priorities
Diving head on into new computer aided design and drafting (CADD) hardware and software without considering their effects on firm or university's operation is as bad as ignoring...
Negotiation and Contract Management
A contract is the result of a negotiation leading to an agreement between two parties. A successful contract usually meets the needs of both parties. Satisfaction of needs is the reason...
Get Involved with Cladding Design
Structural engineers should get involved with cladding design for their buildings. Including disclaimers for responsibility in the design contract will not prevent trouble or lawsuits,...
Record Bridge Replacement
Jacks Run Bridge had to be rebuilt in one year instead of the usual two to three. So the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spearheaded the quickest replacement of a major bridge...
Who Should Design Bridges?
For many years Design-Build-Proposals have been common practice in Europe (except in the UK). Structures in these countries are 20% more economical than similar projects in the U. S.,...
The Resident Engineer
The author defines what resident engineers are by briefly explaining their qualifications, duties, administrative responsibilities and compensation with respect to construction projects....
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