Microcomputer-Based Engineering Expert Systems
Expert systems may be developed by programming an inference mechanism and knowledge representation module, or by using commercially available expert system building tools (shells). The...
Computers in Structural Engineering Practice The Issue of Quality
The dilemma of affordable and easy access to computing versus uncertain and dangerous pitfalls will be a continuing one for the profession. Since the pitfalls include problems associate...
Personal Computer Environment for Minicomputer Users
Users find that personal computers can perform most functions previously available only on minicomputers or even mainframe computers. Companies have an imbedded investment in existing...
Selection of Computer System
To buy a system is a major decision undertaken by the user. It has major impact on the financial and the manpower aspect of the company. To enable the user to arrive at a rational decision,...
Selection of Software
Software selection is an important consideration as part of implementation of computer system. Various factors involved in the selection process are described. To determine whether the...
Purchasing a Small Computer System with the Aid of a Specification Document
Organizations can purchase equipment that meets their needs through the use of a performance specification document. Rather than specifying the 'nuts and bolts'...
Management of Microcomputer Systems
This paper is primarily concerned with the day-to-day management of microcomputer-based systems before, during, and after acquisition. Topics covered include areas overlooked by organizations...
Integration of Computer Methods into the Civil Engineering Curriculum
Enhancements of the civil engineering curriculum at the University of Louisville are described. These enhancements are intended to help achieve a high degree of computer literacy in graduating...
Computer Usage in Civil Engineering
With the expanding availability of computer facilities in the universities, there seems to be a growing trend to emphasize the use of large computer codes, originated as general purpose...
An Interactive Model for Project Planning and Scheduling
This paper presents the development and use of an interactive, microcomputer-based model for project planning and scheduling. The model is general enough to handle both deterministic (CPM-based)...
Experiences with Rapid Computerization in Educational Institutions
Rapid computerization in educational institutions, such as establishment of departmental computer facilities, requires realistic planning to implement and incorporate the new capabilities...
Urban Energy Systems for the 21st Century: Transition Paths
Alternative energy systems can be expected to be a significant part of advanced, 'intelligent,' infrastructure systems for cities of the 21st Century. The question...
Facing Failures: Alleged or Actual
Every practitioner, in a large or small office, faces the possibility of an accusation of causing, directly or indirectly, a failure. The resulting embarrassment, frustration, regret,...
Quality Assurance in a Large Firm
This paper will describe the formalization of the Quality Assurance Program in a large consulting engineering firm. Although Quality Assurance and Quality Control have been a part of normal...
Failures: Who Did It - How Did It Happen?
The forensic engineer investigates the cause of failures and determines, from an engineering viewpoint, who was responsible for that failure. These failures need not be catastrophic but...
How Do I Find the Information I Needed Yesterday?
One reason that the professional has not been more effective in learning from failures is that the information disseminated has not always reached the right people. The Architecture and...
Westway - The Little Word that Killed the Big Highway
The Westside Highway Project, better known as Westway, received a construction permit on February 25, 1985 from the Army Corps of Engineers. Signed by the author, the permit was invalidated...
Three Inexpensive Land Use Allocation Techniques
The current thrust in transportation planning is to make use of manual and microcomputer techniques for providing quick-response travel estimation. In this context, matching land use techniques,...
Facility Location and Land Use: The Urban/Rural Dilemma?A Commentary
A large part of the dilemma associated with the conflicting impacts of facility location and land use is not so much a lack of technical engineering input, but rather the lack of analytical...
Urban/Rural Interactions in Dade County, Florida
Dade County, which contains the City of Miami, is generally urbanized, yet contains pockets of rural and semi-rural areas. These areas are affected by surrounding urbanization, and some...
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