Search

This article discusses the Best of the Best 2023 projects recognized by ENR (Engineering News-Record), which represent the highest achievements in U.S. design and construction. The projects include the Microsoft Thermal Energy Center, which features a geothermal heating and cooling system, and the Geowell drilling project, which used drone flights for assessment. Other projects highlighted include the Kings Bay Dry Dock Recapitalization project, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) project, the Orlando International Airport Terminal C, the Orange County Museum of Art, the 1021 O Street State Office Building, the UVA Inn at Darden - The Forum Hotel, the Mayo Clinic East Expansion, the John and Lile Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies and Barry Mills Hall at Bowdoin College, the Riverbend Meats Processing Plant, the Aston Martin Residences in Miami, the Primary Children's Hospital Hybrid Operating Room, the Martin Marietta Texas Quarry project, and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. These projects showcase unique features, sustainability efforts, and overcoming challenges. [Extracted from the article]

The article lists the top 25 newsmakers, recognized for their contributions to decarbonization and overcoming structural challenges including Sean Beatty, Manager at Turner Construction, Joe Benvenuto, Chief Operating Officer at LIFTbuild, and Robert Buckley, President of Buckley & Co.

The article highlights the ongoing construction project to upgrade and expand a section of Highway 1 known as Kicking Horse Canyon in British Columbia, Canada. It aims to transform the 70-year-old two-lane highway into a modern four-lane roadway, improving safety and accessibility. It further involves building bridges, viaducts, mechanically stabilized earthwalls, and conducting major excavations while navigating through challenging geological conditions.

The article lists various bridge projects that are currently underway or planned for the future including Gordie Howe International Bridge, Gold Star Memorial Bridge, and Bow River Bridge.

The article focuses on the personal and emotional significance of constructing the Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center site, as team members involved in the project have strong memories and connections to the events of 9/11. It mentions the theater's unique design and complex features, combined with its location near the memorial and transportation hub, make it a symbol of healing and revitalization for Lower Manhattan.

The article focuses on the advancements in smart water technology and its increasing adoption in the water industry. It highlights the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in water and wastewater utilities as well as in building projects. It also emphasizes the importance of smart water systems in addressing water-related problems, such as leaks and water damage.

The article evaluates the use of smart sewer technology and digital water solutions by the City of Buffalo, in partnership with Xylem and Burns & McDonnell, to transform their existing gravity sewer system and address combined sewer overflow (CSO) issues. It mentions that the adoption of technology has resulted in a significant reduction in CSO and a substantial cost savings for the city.

This article discusses the influential engineer and editor, Arthur Mellen Wellington, who played a significant role in the development of civil engineering. Wellington established the policy of investigating accidents to engineering structures, providing valuable lessons for engineers. He also wrote a comprehensive book on railway engineering, which became a seminal work in the field. Wellington's contributions to engineering economy and his formula for determining the safe bearing capacity of piles were also highlighted. Despite some inaccuracies and advancements in the field, Wellington's formula continued to be widely used until recent years. Wellington's impact is recognized through the establishment of annual awards in his name by two engineering organizations. [Extracted from the article]

This article highlights the achievements of 25 individuals in the field of engineering and construction. Some notable figures include Scott Bartkowski, who engineered artificial reef modules for coastal protection in Florida, and Sean Beatty, who created a 3D model for the Seattle aquarium tanks. Other individuals mentioned include Joe Benvenuto, Robert Buckley, Charles Callaway, Fatih Cevik, and many more. These professionals have made significant contributions to their respective fields and have demonstrated innovation and expertise in their work. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the ENR (Engineering News-Record) Best of the Best Projects of 2022. It highlights the top 20 construction projects in the U.S. that were completed between May 2021 and May 2022. It is reported that the projects were selected based on their teamwork, safety, overcoming challenges, innovation, and quality.

The article discusses the Storm & Sanitary Sewer Pipe study by market researcher Freedonia Group on growth in demand for storm sewer pipe in the U.S. Topics discussed include construction team encouraged by the American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) to consider cost while comparing materials for maintenance and installation, occurrence of manufacturing in controlled setting of a factory, and Infrastructure Investment &Jobs Act signed by the U.S. President Joe Biden.

The article discusses the strategies and programs launched by structural companies in the U.S. to help meet the country's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, particularly in reducing the embodied carbon in new building constructions to achieve zero-carbon structures. Also cited is the Structural Engineers 2050 Commitment Program launched by the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers, with participants like PCS Structural Solutions.

The InQuik Bridging System, a semi-modular bridge system invented in Australia, is gaining popularity in the U.S. This system involves a prefabricated formwork tray with reinforcing steel that is filled with concrete on-site to create a fully cast-in-place concrete bridge structure. It has been successfully implemented in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, where a 30-ft-long, 27-ft-wide bridge was completed in just one month. The system eliminates the need for longitudinal joints required with precast bridges and has been praised for its ease of use and ability to be transported efficiently. InQuik is currently working with individual states to meet their specific requirements and is also exploring opportunities to license the technology in other countries. [Extracted from the article]

In 1907, the Quebec Bridge, which was expected to be the longest cantilever bridge in the world, collapsed during construction, resulting in the deaths of 74 workers, including 33 Mohawk ironworkers. Charles Whiting Baker, the chief editor of Engineering News, and Frederick Schmitt, an engineering graduate, were given access to the site and interviewed survivors. Schmitt produced a 10,000-word article within four days, identifying the most probable cause of the collapse as a failure in the compression members. An investigation by the Canadian Royal Commission later confirmed this conclusion. The collapse was attributed to design errors, including an increase in the span length without recalculating the stresses on the bridge members, as well as a failure of oversight. Warning signs during construction were also ignored. [Extracted from the article]

Gerard J. "Gerry" Carty, a prominent engineer and contractor executive, passed away at the age of 91. Carty had a long and influential career in the heavy construction industry, including over two decades leading the Moles, a group of U.S. heavy construction professionals. He was known for his understanding of infrastructure challenges and the skills required for designing, building, and managing projects. Carty also played a significant role in expanding the Moles' annual Student Day infrastructure project tour and establishing a scholarship fund for engineering and construction students. His contributions to the industry and mentorship of younger professionals were widely recognized and appreciated. [Extracted from the article]

Jim Rossberg, a prominent figure in the field of structural engineering, passed away at the age of 65. He played a significant role in expanding the scope of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and was instrumental in the growth of the ASCE's Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), which now boasts 30,000 members. Rossberg also contributed to various disaster response teams, including those involved in assessing the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks and the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. He was recognized for his contributions with the William H. Wisely Award in 2022. [Extracted from the article]

George A. Greene, a mechanical engineer, passed away at the age of 94. He was known for his pioneering work in designing clean rooms for semiconductor and biotechnology facilities in Silicon Valley. Greene designed the high-bay clean room at Lockheed Aircraft's campus in Sunnyvale, which became the main assembly area for company satellites during the Cold War. He also designed clean rooms for Fairchild Semiconductor, Hewlett-Packard, and some of the earliest semiconductor sites in Europe. In the 1960s and 1970s, Greene expanded his work into the biotechnology sector. In the mid-1980s, he designed IBM's Almaden Research Center in San Jose. Greene founded his consulting firm, George A. Greene Co., in 1954, which was later acquired by PM Group in 2010. His son, Christopher Greene, became the president and CEO of PM Greene Engineers until 2013. George Greene was highly respected for his ability to find simple and elegant solutions to complex engineering problems. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on a disputed insurance claim related to the construction of Washington, D.C.'s Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, specifically addressing design-build joint venture issues with concrete voids and honeycombing in 2019. Topics include the potential insurance policy test, the breach-of-contract claim and the challenges faced by the joint venture in the construction process, including demolition and rebuilding efforts.

The article offers information on infrastructure agencies in New York and New Jersey increasing their construction programs and contracts with the support of federal funding to enhance transportation, energy, and environmental projects while focusing on resilience and sustainability. However, the surge in projects faces challenges such as rising costs and the need to maintain job progress and workforce availability.

The article discusses the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in the 19th century to address concerns about sewage contaminating the city's drinking water. The canal, which is 28 miles long, was built to reverse the flow of the Chicago River and divert sewage away from the lake. The project faced challenges, including disputes over the classification of materials and labor strikes. The canal was completed in 1900 and later led to the construction of treatment plants for the growing Chicago metro area. The operation of the canal was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1930. [Extracted from the article]

Walter P Moore and Associates, along with Rice University, are proposing the Galveston Bay Park Plan, a $6 billion project to construct a 22-mile chain of islands as a storm surge barrier in Texas' Galveston Bay. The barrier would protect the Houston Ship Channel and the west side of Galveston Bay from the destruction caused by Category 5 hurricanes. In addition to storm protection, the barrier would also improve the bay area habitat and water quality, provide public accessibility for recreation, and allow for the passage of recreational craft and drainage. The project is part of a larger plan for Galveston Bay, which includes the Coastal Spine barrier project being carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Galveston Bay Park Plan offers more development flexibility and considers more intense storms than the Corps' plan. The project is currently being evaluated for inclusion in the Texas Coastal Surge Protection Plan or local funding, with the goal of groundbreaking in 2030 or sooner. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the Johnstown Dam failure in 1889, which was the deadliest dam failure in U.S. history. The South Fork Dam in Pennsylvania, completed in 1853, experienced inadequate repairs and had fish screens installed that obstructed the spillway, leading to water overtopping and eroding the structure. The resulting flood caused extensive damage and a death toll of 2,208. The article also highlights the lack of official state government oversight of dam safety and advocates for robust public supervision of dam safety. [Extracted from the article]

Crews at the Port of Beaumont in Texas have successfully reconstructed a dock structure, completing the project six months ahead of schedule. Despite challenging conditions and limited visibility, the team used customized "punches" and a playbook of contingency plans to remove a partially collapsed dock and build a larger one. The project faced numerous unknowns and risks, but the team was able to adapt and react quickly. The new dock features prestressed concrete piles and is expected to improve operations at the port. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into engineering processes, highlighting its efficiency and impact on decision-making. It emphasizes the need for users to maintain the rigor of the engineering profession's quality management system when utilizing AI technologies. It includes AI's role in accessing information for project locations and solving complex mathematical problems.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including Alaska Willow oil megaproject approval, new rule under Fair Labor Standards Act and BlackRock's major push into infrastructure.

In addition to the distress in the pool deck slab, engineers speculate that column failure, slab failure due to punching shear or failure of the pile foundation system may have contributed to the progressive collapse. Based on photos, at least four engineers are focusing on the deck slab, part of which collapsed almost intact onto the basement garage slab underneath it. NEWS: Projects FAILURES News July 5/12, 2021 Thanks to a surveillance video, photos, a 2018 building-system survey and the original 1979 plans, structural engineers have pieced together the probable sequence of the fatal collapse of part of the 12.5-story Champlain Towers South residential condominium, north of Miami Beach in Surfside, Fla. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on climate talks at the United Nation in Madrid, Spain, which ended on December 15, 2019. Topics discussed include information on need for engineers to address the underlying reasons for climate change by examining the way they design buildings and infrastructure; growing urgency to address climate change; and need for carbon emissions to be reduced 45 percent relative to the 2010 benchmark by 2030.

The offers information related to the devastation by Category 5 storm, Hurricane Dorian in Bahamas and mentions growing risk and resilience from storms, highlighted by engineers and policymakers. It discusses the need of preparation for more intense and longer hurricanes. It presents views of Cris Liban, Los Angeles Metro's Executive Officer for environmental compliance on designed traditional infrastructure to hold up to extreme weather events.

The article discusses how public agencies are utilizing Bentley's iTwin Applications for Situational Intelligence, which combines data from drones and sensors to create digital twins for monitoring infrastructure like bridges and dams. It mentions that this technology aims to enhance decision-making, improve inspection processes, and provide a comprehensive view of risks and conditions, allowing agencies to efficiently allocate resources and respond to potential issues.

The article discusses a lawsuit between GLX Constructors and STV Inc. over the design of Boston's Green Line extension project. GLX Constructors, a joint venture, has filed a complaint alleging that STV owes them some grants for design errors and revisions that led to significant additional costs and challenges during the project, including the need to demolish concrete structures.

The article offers information on project roles that include architects, engineers, and contractors. Topics discussed include project profitability that impacts investments in up-front design, views of Greg Gidez, director at Hensel Phelps, on curtain-wall manufacturer, and insurance policies for projects.

The article focuses on profile of Top Young Professionals in the architecture, engineering and construction community according to career achievement and involvement in construction industry. Topics discussed include Dinesh Allam of construction firm Sundt Construction who involved preconstruction of concrete element, Garren Echols of Sundt Construction and Lindsey Feola of Gensler who has been licensed architect.

The article focuses on the third edition of the American Institute of Steel Construction's (AISC) "Seismic Design Manual." The edition has been expanded with additional information and design to help engineers navigate the design of steel and composite seismic resisting systems (SFRS). The manual provides engineers with useful tools, detailed examples and extensive explanation. INSET: SEAA: A Place Where Large and Small Companies Can....

The article reports that several engineers are working to help reconnect Mississippi to Louisiana's wetlands in effort to rebuild land that is disappearing. Topics discussed include fines from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill, requirement of scheduling to maintain flood protection, and dredging which has been land-building tool.

The article focuses on the expansion of T2D2, an artificial intelligence-based inspection system, for the maintenance and monitoring of complex structures, including historic buildings, by tracking possible facade deterioration through image analysis and drone inspections, providing advantages such as frequent data-gathering visits and developing timelines of structural performance.

An editorial is presented which describes a journalist's visit to the earthquake-damaged city of Antakya in Turkey, where buildings were destroyed and lives were interrupted. It emphasizes the emotional dimension of journalism in disaster areas and the importance of understanding the causes of destruction for creating more resilient structures in the future.

The article reports that a three-story parking garage in Lower Manhattan, New York City, partially collapsed on April 18, 2023, killing one person and injuring several others, and mentions that the cause of the collapse is still under investigation.

The article discusses about the status of delayed the 12-mile, 500-million dollar Comite River Diversion Canal project, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state Dept. of Transportation and Development officials acknowledged that the flood diversion project is at least two years from completion.

The article discusses that plate girder bridges has been offering great stability and can carry heavy loads over long spans which helps in repair project on the M-14 and BUS-23 over Huron River Bridge in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The article offers information on several professionals including Jay Bangert, Heather Day, and Blair Hildahl, who are being selected by the periodical as 2017 ENR National Top 20 Under 40. It mentions Day is presented a free class on "Low Impact Development for a Homegrown Lifestyle," It also mentions Hildahl's efforts in mentoring young architects and engineers in the developing world.

The article announces the recipients of the Engineering News Record Southwest's Top Young Professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry including Josh Ahrens, Emily Allen, and Manrique Umana Brenes.

The article discusses about the resolution of most of the state issues in the ongoing dispute over the Harbor Bridge replacement project in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The article reviews the ArcGIS Reality, reality capture and photogrammetry software, offered by Esri.

The article reports on guilty pleaded by contractor Hackensack to federal charges of violating safety regulation of the federal over death of workers in 2017 in its construction site in Poughkeepsie, New York. Topics discussed include charges on collapse announced by Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney, sloped surgical edge to the ground under the plan of engineer, and soil to subcharged added while construction of buildings.

The article discusses construction of artificial whitewater park in Montgomery, Alabama that is expected set to be completed this summer 2023 which will offer both professional kayakers a place to practice on an Olympic-level course and beginners a place to learn and have fun. It mentions construction process has been challenging the expertise of partners such as JESCO, Inc., Goodwyn Mills Cawood, and Liquid Design Architecture with good experience.

The article reports that Nancy Pauw Bridge crosses the Bow River in the Town of Banff, Alberta, connecting the commercial district north of the river with pathways to historic sites and Banff recreation grounds. It mentions that constructing a shallow-arch, clearspan footbridge with natural materials in Banff National Park in Canada required finding solutions for a host of technical requirements.

The article describes how the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) uses Bentley digital twin for engineering assurance. Topics covered include the total construction cost of ITER's facility, the basis of the project and how Brigantium has been using Bentley's Synchro 4D. It also discusses how Brigantium and Bentley are implementing and scaling up the ITER digital twin and the idea of building and testing a circular tokamak as a configuration for a nuclear fusion reactor.

The article presents the discussion on claiming the engineers let greed overrideing the obligations for protecting the public. Topics include city and state officials intent on the water source change and keeping low the costs of operating Flint's old water treatment plant; and videotaping deposition testimony in criminal trials involving other state officials.

The article offers information on several young professionals in the construction and engineering industries in New York City and their effects to the community. It mentions Sergio Callen, business development manager at Atkins and his involvement in the development of best practices in high-speed rail systems. It cites Highmark co-founder Richard Gerbe who has partnered with Franklin Control Systems to raise $100,000 for his cause to defeat ALS.