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Final Thoughts: Thankful to Be an Engineer and All That Comes with It

December 18, 2017 - in Column

We’re in the season when many of us stop and think about the things for which we’re thankful. For some, it’s our family, our health, our jobs, our home. For others, it’s nature, the ability to travel, the freedom to speak. For some, it’s difficult…

ReEngineering the Engineer: Making Way for the Future

December 11, 2017 - in Articles, Column

Like many others, my firm had a very busy 2017. We were fortunate to pick up a couple new clients at the beginning of the year, and that led to additional…

From the Editor: Infrastructure (and Humans) Under Siege

November 6, 2017 - in Articles, Column

On Aug. 24, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas, as a Category 4 hurricane. For the next five days, the storm dumped a historic…

Infrastructure Outlook: Why Isn’t Infrastructure Relevant?

October 25, 2017 - in Articles, Column

America has a life-threatening infrastructure problem.

Future Forward: Think Long Term for Maximum Value

October 16, 2017 - in Articles, Column, Profile

Dr. John Brown Miller is a global expert on public infrastructure with an eye on efficiency and value. He has a 35-year focus on bringing practical business, legislative and contractual solutions to the world’s burgeoning public infrastructure needs.

Change Leader: Simplify Legal Structures to Get Things Done

October 16, 2017 - in Articles, Column, Profile

Philip K. Howard, chair of not-for-profit Common Good, is a lawyer who is actively involved in shaping public policy. In addition to writing several books during his career, he recently wrote a report, “Two Years, Not Ten Years: Redesigning Infrastructure…

Code Update: Steel Bridge Design Specifications Revised in New AASHTO Edition

October 16, 2017 - in Articles, Column

Interim revisions to AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (7th Edition) were published in 2016 with a few minor revisions to the steel bridge design sections of the specifications. The 8th edition of AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications is expected…

Executive Corner: Mitigating Taxes While Achieving Strategic Ownership Goals

October 16, 2017 - in Articles, Column

In my experience, the top three reasons why A/E firms implement employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) are taxes, taxes and taxes. However, although mitigating taxes is an important element, a good ownership plan should be driven by a firm’s strategic plan…

Final Thoughts: Bridge Work: From Wooden Covers to Recycled Steel

October 7, 2017 - in Articles, Column

As I was previewing this issue of Informed Infrastructure, I came across a brief summary of an article about the engineering of tall wood buildings. Although I’m not quite old enough to have designed any covered bridges, I have some experience with wooden-bridge…

Structural Solutions: Nuggets of Wisdom for Engineers Young and Old, Part 3: The Final Chapter

October 2, 2017 - in Articles, Column

My previous two columns covered two main pieces of advice I like to share with students at the Direct Connect session at the NASCC conference: careful use of computer software, and mastering verbal and written communication. In this issue, I’ll finish my…