Failure Investigation Process
The purpose of this paper is to consider the present failure investigation process, in order to assess whether failures are being properly investigated, and also whether sufficient information...
Alternative Procedures for Investigating Failures
Failures of engineered structures continue to occur. This is despite rapid advances in engineering theory, new, more sophisticated methods of analysis, and streamlined techniques for preparing...
Information Availability
There seems to be a great deal of concern about lack of availability of information concerning the results of failure investigations. In most court cases there is virtually no technical...
Failure Information Needs in Civil Engineering
If we are to learn from failures of engineered facilities, failure information must be in a useful form, and it must reach those who can effect improved practice. This paper discusses,...
Learning from Failures
Modern technology and innovation have created a gap between what the design drawings predict with respect to safety and serviceability of a structure and the real safety and serviceability...
Failure Investigations in Undergraduate Education
Author stresses the need for failure investigations in undergraduate education especially in Civil Engineering. The civil engineer often creates only one major project of a kind, and is...
The Consulting Engineer's Resident Engineer on Public Works Projects
The importance to the owner, engineering firm, and construction contractor of a qualified Resident Engineer on a construction project cannot be overly emphasized. Similarly, the duties,...
Project Coordination Resident Engineering Costs Versus Construction Costs for New York City Department of Environmental Protection
The paper explains how the New York City Department of Environmental Protection has successfully completed a 1 billion construction program using only resident engineer inspection services....
Project Administration
The paper discusses the vital issues involved for the efficient administration of a construction contract: effective communication, field office staffing, long lead procurement of equipment,...
Ensuring Quality Construction
This paper describes the US Army Corps of Engineers' efforts at procuring quality construction: 1) a three-phase approach (preparatory, initial, follow-up) was developed to...
Navy Construction Contract Administration
A U. S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps Officer portrays the varied responsibilities of a Resident Engineer administering construction contracts for the military service. The challenges, rewards...
The Corps Resident Engineer
The paper briefly defines the authority, duties and responsibilities of a resident engineer (RE) in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Based on these, it is concluded that the RE has the...
Development of a Resident Engineer
The author discusses a development program suitable for a Resident Engineer to take up. Included in the requirements of the program are actual experiences, training courses and personal...
Hydropower's Newest Generation
Higher energy prices and strong incentives from the federal government have caused hydropower developers to consider sites that just a few years ago were scoffed at as mere trickles. Intense...
Computer Keeps New Orleans: Head Above Water
The city of New Orleans has been beset with drainage problems since its founding in 1718. A major drainage system was installed in the city in the late 1800s, but it has grown increasingly...
Cost Engineering for Disputed Work
Engineers and architects tend to underestimate the cost of disputed work, especially those connected with delay. The engineer, using industry standards and estimating rules of thumb, can...
Soft Ground Tunneling of the Greenbelt Tunnels
Mergentime/Loram's contract for the construction of Section E-1d Greenbelt Route Tunnels includes construction of dual 1,770-foot tunnels in soft ground, a crossover structure,...
Construction Inspection?The Last Line of Defense
Construction inspection, or a quality assurance program, is typically the last line of defense in relation to claims for the constructed project. The quality assurance team should be a...
A Systematic Approach to Evaluating the Risk of Contractual Disputes
Construction contract disputes along with A/E malpractice actions have raised much concern in the industry. Considerable literature has been written along the lines of claims avoidance...
Investigation of Catastrophic Failure of a Premium-Alloy Railroad Rail
In November 1983 an Amtrak train derailed at a speed of 72 mph (115 kph) at Woodlawn, Texas (in the vicinity of Marshall, Texas), resulting in four fatalities and twenty-four serious injuries....
Return to search