Future Forward Full Interview: Creating a ‘New Power Landscape’

This page profiles innovative and impactful applied research and development in civil and structural engineering to spur continuing thought and dialog to create a better industry. These profiles are based on interviews, and the opinions and statements are those of the subject and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by this publication. Jason Abiecunas is associate vice president and director of distributed energy resources at Black & Veatch. V1 Media: Please provide a brief backgrou...

Final Thoughts: Project Management Often About ‘Common Sense’

I begin this column knowing I may offend some people in project management, because my contention is that project management of engineering projects isn’t that complicated. Project management relies on common sense we all use every day in our lives (with some additional paperwork). Managing a project can be simple and requires sound practical judgement. I think about when I was much younger and was preparing to build a model car. A step-by-step process might look like the following: • Deci...

ReEngineering the Engineer: Patience Is a Virtue

My dad passed away about a year and a half ago. Being the oldest of three children, it was my task to help put together the eulogy for the service. I knew I wouldn’t be the one reading it (those types of potentially emotional talks are not in my repertoire), but I wanted to capture some of the things our family remembered about him. I ended up soliciting the grandkids (and my two siblings), asking them what one thing they remembered most about their grandfather. Fortunately, there was plenty of...

Infrastructure Digitization: Two Industry Analysts Discuss Recent Tech Efforts from Autodesk and Bentley

Three Trends Defining Industrialized Construction By Drew Buechley On the main stage of Autodesk University 2017 in Las Vegas, Jim Lynch, vice president of the Autodesk Building Products Group, highlighted Autodesk’s increased focus on the industrialization of construction. It was clear that a convergence of manufacturing and construction processes was happening. In the next few years, this convergence will radically change the way we design buildings, build co...

Optimal Surroundings: Engineering Is Critical to Optimize a Fabric Building for Your Application

Rigid-frame engineering allows for precise building dimensions to be calculated and applied based on the equipment being housed. By Jeff Williams and Scott Jones Nobody enjoys being forced into a decision. We usually like to consider our options, and the best option of all (of course) is getting something exactly the way we like it. Eating at a restaurant is a perfect example. Although most menus will have a wide selection of great entrée choices, many of us m...

Staying on Track: CSX Leads a Reline for Timber-Beam Bridges in Georgia

CSX Corp., together with its subsidiaries based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation’s leading transportation suppliers. For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in economic expansion and industrial development across the eastern United States and into parts of Canada. With more than 2,700 miles of rail track and more than 2 million carloads handled in the state of Georgia alone, CSX maintains a busy schedule transporting loads along those lines as well as maintaining and i...

Legal Issues: When (and How) Should a Mediator Evaluate a Case?

Construction is a rewarding business, but it’s also challenging and risky. Most larger projects involve dozens of companies, complex design and construction issues, compressed schedules, and tight budgets. So despite efforts to avoid them, it’s not surprising that construction has its share of legal claims and disputes that can distract management and staff, destroy business relationships, and damage the bottom line. Mediation can help resolve construction and other business disputes quickly...

2018 Erosion Control Survey

Redmond Elementary School’s Stormwater Detention System

Lake Washington School District’s new Clara Barton Elementary School in Redmond, Wash., is one of the new elementary schools in the Redmond Learning Community that was included in the district’s Long-Term Facilities Planning Task Force recommendations. The new school is built to house 690 elementary students under state-funded class-size reductions. As part of the project, Oldcastle Precast Auburn was contracted to supply several hundred precast concrete panel sections for two massive detenti...

Project Management Insights: When Everyone Is a PM, No One Is a PM

About 10 years ago, the #lifegoal in the industry was to become a Principal within one’s engineering or architecture firm. With that position came prestige, owner perks, financial and professional security, and decision-making authority on strategic matters. Managers were eager to trade in bonuses for any number of shares offered. Seats filled up quickly at seminars that taught “the business of the business.” This trend soon brought unique challenges, and we consulted around those, too. Owner...