Civil Engineering Magazine

(Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash) By Tara Hoke Cases of corporate misconduct often involve some degree of knowledge or participation from individuals at multiple levels of authority within the organization. Examples like the following case serve as a reminder that “doing what you’re told” is never a defense for a legal or ethical misstep, and all engineering professionals must take personal responsibility for upholding professional obligations.

By Lynda Kiejko, P.Eng, CIB, OLY I wish I’d known that asking questions is not a sign of inexperience. Instead, it’s a great way to gain insight and understanding. Lynda Kiejko When someone in our workplace asks us a technical question, we might assume they will provide the information required to make a viable assessment. However, that is often not the case. At times the person asking the question simply doesn’t know what other information is required to give the best answer.

Volunteers from Weston & Sampson helped erect a permanent bridge across the Kigongi River in eastern Rwanda.

(Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash) By Michael C. Loulakis, Esq., FDBIA, M.ASCE, and John M. Neary, Esq., M.ASCE For engineers and preconstruction teams, Korte Construction Co. v. Secretary of the Army offers a practical warning about design-document coordination in projects that rely on bridging documents.

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge has a 1,750 ft long main span, which was the longest of its type in the world when it was built a century ago. (Photograph courtesy of GettyImages.com/Cristian Lourenço) By Leslie Nemo Two states managed to unite and build the world’s longest suspended span. This year is the 100th birthday of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which helps drivers cross from Pennsylvania into New Jersey and back again.

(Image courtesy of wildpixel) By Marsha D. Anderson Bomar, Ph.D., AICP, ENV SP, F.ITE, NAE, F.ASCE Civil engineering is a profession built on tackling issues that impact people’s lives, strengthening communities, and shaping the world. As we look toward the future, ASCE must lead with intention to attract, inspire, prepare, and support the next generation of civil engineers. Growing the full talent pipeline is not simply an initiative, but rather our responsibility to the profession and to society.

(Image courtesy of GettyImages.com/urfinguss) By Kayt Sukel The United States is facing an unprecedented housing crisis. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates the country is short more than 4.7 million homes, and with an ongoing dearth of skilled construction workers, it is imperative to find solutions that will help quickly build or refurbish homes that the average citizen can afford.

(Photograph courtesy of GettyImages.com/TRAVELVIEW) By Mackrena L. Ramos, P.E., M.ASCE, Melissa C. Mack, P.E., PMP, M.ASCE, and Panduranga Kuruva, P.E., CCM The city of Houston manages more than $1.2 billion worth of capital improvement projects for the region’s water system. The ultimate goal: converting the area from groundwater to surface water usage.

(Photograph courtesy of GettyImages.com/ DutcherAerials) By Sarah King, P.E., M.ASCE Threading a large-diameter water transmission main through a congested urban community required careful planning and engineering. The results will improve water reliability for the San Diego region. During a planning study by the San Diego Public Utilities Department, the city of San Diego identified the need to provide redundant water transmission to the coastal regions of La Jolla and Pacific Beach.

(Photograph courtesy of UNC Charlotte) By Kevin A. Moluf, P.E., M.ASCE, Dale Abbott, GISP, Richard P. Mathews Jr., P.E., M.ASCE, and Craig A. Schneider When the University of North Carolina at Charlotte needed to explain unexpected behavior in the water distribution system, creating a digital twin was a critical part of the solution. Rapid growth brings opportunity, but it also puts pressure on infrastructure.