/ Category / Column

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…

Executive Corner: 2021 Mid-Year Executive Outlook

September 1, 2021 - in Articles, Column

As the disruption and severity of the global pandemic continues to fade, A/E leaders across the country are ready to take on the challenges and opportunities left in its wake. I recently connected with several CEOs from coast to coast for our annual Mid-Year…

Thoughts From Engineers: Microplastics: An Unavoidable Reality of Modern Life?

August 27, 2021 - in Articles, Column

Our dependence on plastics, most of which are based on a formula developed from coal, natural gas and crude oil, is another aspect of our deep-rooted reliance on fossil fuels. The battle to move away from these fuels to support our way of life is best described…

From the Editor: Personal and Mass-Media Stories Highlight the Importance of Inspections

July 27, 2021 - in Articles, Column

During my career, I’ve performed inspections on hundreds of bridges. The inspections varied in detail depending on the reasons for looking at them. Some were cursory inspections to determine whether or not to include particular bridges in the INDOT…