/ Category / Column

Thoughts From Engineers: Stepping Up Source-Water Protection

November 29, 2021 - in Articles, Column

If a watershed was the subject of a play, this one could fill the house. Set in southwestern Wisconsin in a watershed known as Black Earth Creek, the plot has some interesting elements: a failing landfill; a Class 1 trout stream; development pressure from…

ReEngineering the Engineer: Times Change: Don’t Be the Cranky Old Neighbor

November 29, 2021 - in Articles, Column

My wife and I moved into our current home about two years after we were married and, coincidentally, just as we found out she was pregnant with our first…

From the Editor: Be Proud To Be a Civil Engineer

September 30, 2021 - in Articles, Column

Take pride in what you have accomplished, and then let others know what civil engineers do.

Executive Corner: 2021 End of Summer Executive Outlook

September 30, 2021 - in Articles, Column

As the disruption of the COVID-19 virus continues to factor into everyday decisions, A/E leaders across the country continue to take on the challenges of running their firms.

Thoughts From Engineers: Climate Report Issues Bleak Predictions

September 30, 2021 - in Articles, Column

Engineers are problem solvers by profession, but, in many respects, we are pioneers as well—now more than ever.

Infrastructure Outlook: EPD: Green Goals with HSS

September 30, 2021 - in Articles, Column

There’s a growing push for the building industry to reduce embodied carbon and greenhouse-gas emissions to slow global-warming effects.

Transportation Troubleshooting: America Uses 50-Year-Old Guidelines To Inspect Bridges in 21st Century

September 30, 2021 - in Articles, Column

The 2021 Bridge Condition Report produced by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) states that according to the latest federal data analysis, 220,000 bridges in the United States—36 percent of bridges in the country—need repair,…

ReEngineering the Engineer: Longing for the Good Ol’ Days of Engineering

September 27, 2021 - in Articles, Column

While 3D images from BIM certainly convey a lot of information in one shot, having the skill to physically draw something by hand will always hold its value.

Sustainable Infrastructure: Informed Path To Net Zero: From Building Design to Operation

September 1, 2021 - in Articles, Column

Greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions are agreed to be the culprit that shifts global weather patterns, threatens climate systems and endangers human health. Long-term effects of GHGs only can be reversed by global proactive actions focused on emission reduction.…

From The Editor: Climate Change Now Is ‘The Issue’

September 1, 2021 - in Articles, Column

My October 2020 column was titled “Engineers Need to Lead the Way on Climate Change Mitigation,” and I tried to make the point that our profession has a responsibility to maintain an environment that’s best for the world, and we need to do more…