Change Leader: Simplify Legal Structures to Get Things Done
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 Approvals,” which shows that a six-year delay in starting construction on public projects costs the nation more than $3.7 trillion, including the costs of prolonged inefficiencies and unnecessary pollution. Change If Howard could change a...
September – October 2017 TRENDS
In this section, Informed Infrastructure compiles infographics from trusted sources that reveal insight on infrastructure spending. We also compile some of the top infrastructure stories that shouldn’t be missed. For ongoing news coverage, turn to Informed Infrastructure online (www.informedinfrastructure.com), our Twitter feed (@IInfrastructure) and our weekly e-newsletter. Hurricanes Hit U.S. Infrastructure Hard A great deal of news and information about the hurr...
Code Update: Steel Bridge Design Specifications Revised in New AASHTO Edition
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 to be published later in 2017. As far as steel bridge design is concerned, a major revision to the design of bolted field splices and minor revisions to other sections are expected. Let’s take a deeper look at the major design checks for st...
From the Field: M-8.1 Earthquake Strikes Mexico
Preliminary Structural Damage Assessed On Sept. 7, 2017, approximately 87 kilometers southwest of Pijijiapan, Mexico, an 8.1-magnitude offshore earthquake struck at a depth of 70 kilometers. At time of this writing, more than 90 deaths have been confirmed, but many people still are unaccounted and the number of fatalities may rise significantly. Shortly after the earthquake, an engineering team from Miyamoto International was in contact with local authorities and people on the ground...
Executive Corner: Mitigating Taxes While Achieving Strategic Ownership Goals
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 and long-term goals, which may include aligning ownership with leadership, making the investment process affordable to new owners, and ensuring that the stock produces a healthy return on investment for all owners. The tax consequences of an o...
Specification Section: Retaining Walls and Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE)
Retaining walls, MSE and soil-retention products continue to evolve, as does the software that designs these systems and simulates their performance. The following resource aims to serve those who design and model such structures as well as specify the materials and products for projects. Creative Pultrusions Inc. Creative Pultrusions is a manufacturer of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite sheet pile and piling products. SuperLoc® sheet pile is an alternative to al...
Hydroseeding Takes Root at the Panama Canal
In a country that receives more than 100 inches of rain per year, on slopes as steep as 45 degrees, controlling soil erosion is crucial. In 2006, when the $5.7 billion Panama Canal expansion project kicked off, headlines were awash with news about the engineering feats required to expand one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. What received much less attention—but just as critical to the project’s success—was the stabilization of the banks along the nearly 50-mile-long canal. After seeding...
Final Thoughts: Bridge Work: From Wooden Covers to Recycled Steel
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 structures. Readers may recall from previous “Final Thoughts” columns that I spent the early part of my career with the Indiana Department of Transportation in the Bridge Design Section. During my time there, the department still had...
Structural Solutions: Nuggets of Wisdom for Engineers Young and Old, Part 3: The Final Chapter
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 list of sage advice for the students with a couple of quick hitters. Listen to Your Clients As experts in our field, it’s easy to answer questions quickly. Most of us are anxious to share our expertise the moment we think we know what the...
Sponsored: MicroStation CONNECT Edition - The Foundation of Efficient Civil Engineering Design Workflows
Most of us must work with various file formats, integrate multiple disciplines, and improve project workflow efficiency. With all the different applications used by the many consultants that collaborate on today’s design projects, a lack of interoperability between software products represents a huge risk. That’s where Bentley Systems comes in. MicroStation CONNECT Edition, and all Bentley BIM applications, are built on the same comprehensive modeling platform so that users can easily progre...
Video: Crashes Drop Measurably After Rural Road Safety Improvement Project on US 521 in Lancaster County
AdventHealth Weaverville Hospital
June Issue 2026
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