For quite some time, we’ve been aware of artificial intelligence (AI). But for most of us, AI was limited to fantastic science fiction tales in the movies or large-scale experiments conducted by scientists and engineers. Certainly, who thought it would be…
ReEngineering the Engineer: Making It Buildable
Through the years, I’ve noticed my firm does a lot of additions to existing buildings. In the early days, much of it was driven by our hospital…
From the Editor: No Surprise, but Engineering Gets ‘Smarter’ Every Year
In this annual Smart Engineering issue of Informed Infrastructure, you will read about great new ideas and products that are not only more efficient…
Thoughts From Engineers: Smart Tech Steps into the Spot (Flood) Light
Any homeowner who has taken advantage of the myriad doorbell cameras, home thermostats, motion sensors and other smart devices available in the market knows the value smart tech brings to home security. (“I can’t be everywhere at once,” the thinking…
Executive Corner: What’s My Legacy? An A/E Generation Transitions Out
Growing up, my father was fond of sharing various quips and quotes. Some were motivational, others just corny, and I’m confident most of them went in one ear and out the other. But one that always stuck with me was the famous Maya Angelou line: “People…
Transportation Troubleshooting: Infrastructure Investment Law Is Working
A video of Paula Hammond’s congressional testimony can be watched above or at bit.ly/3LVAL0u. The full text can be found at bit.ly/3M1q7VX. On March 28, 2023, I appeared before a congressional panel, the “U.S. House Transportation…
Thoughts From Engineers: A Toxic Fix? Another Chemical Disaster Makes Headlines
The lives of working-class folks tragically intersected with a load of hazardous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, in early February 2023. Zoning laws—designed to keep incompatible uses apart—were of little use in this situation. Additional safety…
Water Works: The Value of National Standardization for the Evaluation of Stormwater Control Measures
If any group of engineers was asked to list which organization(s) they reference for industry standards, I would expect ASTM International to be frequently cited. Founded in 1898, ASTM has maintained incredible name recognition—and for good reason.…
Infrastructure Outlook: New ‘Buy America’ Rules May Change How You Use Federal Funds
It has been just more than a year since the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law, delivering the prospect of funding for modernization of water and transportation infrastructure as well as other important projects.…
Code Update: The 2022 AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings
The latest edition of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) flagship standard, the “2022 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360)” (the Specification), has hit the streets (get it at aisc.org/2022spec). The 2022 edition…
