Engineering Foundation; Still Going Strong at 63
An historical review is given about the creation of the EF by Ambrose Swasey in 1914 for issuing research grants and establishing conferences. The initial endowment of $800,000 increased...
Polymerization of Concrete Fights Cavitation
The techniques and materials used for the repair of concrete are many and varied. The repair at Dworshak Dam utilized epoxy resins, dry pack mortar, fibrous concrete and a new technique,...
Vibroreplacement and Reinforced Earth Unite to Strengthen a Weak Foundation
Two relatively new engineering concepts in the U.S. were successfully used to solve a difficult soils problem. A highway skirting Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille was built on a...
An Experience in Standardization of Nuclear Power Plants
This article outlines successful efforts at design of five standardized nuclear units, in four different states in the U.S.A., for a group of five utilities. The Standard Power Block,...
The Field Engineer: Political and Legal Scapegoat�
The publicly-employed engineer can be in a vulnerable legal position. A case history is described in which a field engineer was indicted on criminal charges after a bridge collapse (during...
Teton Dam Failure
In June 1976, Teton Dam in Idaho failed. It was an earthfill dam 305 ft high. It failed by piping through the impermeable core of the dam. Among factors believed contributing to failure:...
502-ft Diameter Laminated-Timber Dome Provides Fast, Low-Cost Cover for Arizona Stadium
Varex Dome, a 502-ft diameter engineering marveel of glue laminated timber, was built in record six months erection time. This dome shell structure forms both walls and roof for the new...
Granular-Fill Dam Protected by PVC Membrane
The design and construction of the Minorca Tailings Basin Starter Dam sets a precedent for the use of plastic membrane for seepage control in the construction of earth fill dams where...
The Engineer: What Role in the Development of Civilization?
Two brilliant social philosophers underscored the crucial role played by the engineer in history. Karl Marx saw society as consisting of a basic structure and a superstructure. The basic...
Concrete Canoe Racing Stimulates Interest in ASCE Student Chapter
Concrete Canoe construction and racing have become a very popular ASCE Student Chapter activity. Such a program can publicize a chapter's activities in general and can serve...
Why Do Bridges Fail�
From the study of 143 bridge failures that occurred throughout the world from 1847 to 1975, it is found that there are nine categories of failure. The most frequent of these is failure...
George Washington Bridge Redecked with Prefabricated, Prepaved Steel Panels
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has embarked on a �37,000,000 project to totally replace the upper roadway of the 46-yr old George Washington Bridge. The scheme, chosen from...
Shotcrete for Ground Support
Proceedings of the Engineering Foundation Conference, held at Tidewater Inn, Easton, Maryland, October 4-8, 1976. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, American Concrete...
The Evaluation of Dam Safety
Proceedings of the Engineering Foundation Conference on the Evaluation of Dam Safety, held in the Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California, November 28 December 3, 1976....
The birth and growth of history's most exciting building material
Not until the early decades of this century did this most revolutionary of all structural materials arrive-prestressed concrete. Developed in Europe, prestressed concrete began its rapid...
Steel Frame, Precast Floors Meet Impossible Time Constraints
Only 13 months were allotted for expansion of the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska, which meant that construction would have to continue through the winter months with little down...
Proven Organic Coatings for Long Term Protection�� Part II
Recent advances in coatings materials and their application make possible improved protection of structures in normal or aggressive environments. Shopcoating and field application are...
La Guardia Airport Parking and Terminal Frontage Structure
One of the world's largest parking structures, at New York City's La Guardia Airport, is of special interest because the structural steel has no fireproofing....
Plastic Filter Fabrics Have Bright Future
There are thousands of existing installations using filter fabrics in North America and additional thousands in Europe, most built in the past 10 years. The momentum is gathering. Filter...
Gabions, Perforated Pipe and Gravel Serve as Fish Screens
A type of structure to prevent juvenile salmon from diverting to irrigation ditches has been developed on the Merced River in central California. It was built after cost considerations...
Return to search