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Geopolymers have been long recognized as the next-generation building material due to environmental reasons. However, geopolymers are inherently brittle and usually require high-temperature curing. This paper was intended to develop a ductile engineered geopolymer composite (EGC) under ambient curing conditions. Two types of metakaolin powder with different particle sizes were applied as the solid precursor. The tensile, compressive, and flexural behaviors of EGC with different mix designs were investigated. It was concluded that the combinational application of coarse and fine metakaolin is conducive to the tensile and compressive behaviors of EGC materials. As the alkali concentrations increased from 6 to 14 mol/L , the tensile and compressive strength of EGC increased, whereas the tensile ductility of EGC decreased gradually. Also, the SiO2/Na2O molar ratio had negligible influence on the tensile behavior of EGC, whereas the compressive strength decreased with the increase of SiO2/Na2O molar ratios. A numerical model to predict the flexural behavior of EGC was also proposed, and the accuracy was verified with experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essay is presented on challenges and opportunities in the engineering disciplines to a successful renewable energy transition. It offers the contours of the "engineering challenge," wherein both engineers and nonengineers differ significantly in conceptualization of the boundaries between "policy" and " engineering." The author mentions a conference in Florida in May 2003 that patterns science, sustainability and engineering into a more ordered and standardized form.

A clashing of views has emerged in the engineering community over Policy 465 and the call for a master's degree or equivalent as a pre-requisite for professional licensure. This conflict over Policy 465 echoes much of the divisive rhetoric that characterized what Edwin Layton has termed the 'revolt of the engineers' in the Progressive Era of the United States in the early part of the 20th century. During this time period, reform-minded engineers attempted to strengthen the professional stature of engineering through licensing initiatives and other reforms. Both then and now, the debates are characterized by diverging opinions about how changes in licensing may affect the competency of engineers, the cost of engineering work, and the public image of engineering. Furthermore, both those in favor of Policy 465 and reformers in the Progressive Era invoke a new higher purpose, or 'transcendent value' for the profession to garner support for their movements. Ultimately, these debates underscore the inherent conflict between professional independence and business interests in the practice of engineering. The similar nature of the current debate over Policy 465 and the Progressive Era 'revolt' suggests many of the divisive issues of the early 20th century remain unresolved, and is characteristic of two separate ideological cultures within engineering, one professional and one industrial. This long-standing discord within the engineering community highlights the need to better understand the ideologies and values in conflict within engineering in order to more fully realize the potential of the engineering profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of the forensic process, or detective skills, in determining the cause of structural failure. The aim of the forensic process is to objectively identify the technical cause or causes of failure by using available evidence. It is noted that experience of the design process can be a significant impediment for an engineer interested in practicing in forensics.

The article discusses the need for the engineering educators to evolve as the world emerges with various issues on the introduction of new educational technology. A concept on the transformation of engineering educator is presented that describes the growth of engineers. Also emphasized are the importance for the educators to reflect on the degree of their transformation and the possibility for the engineering profession to naturally die if the educators fail to evolve.

Conventional computation methods generally limit practicing engineers from using complex formulations or considering uncertainties in general. A method is needed that can be implemented regardless of the uncertainty or linearity of the design parameters and their constraints. Methods such as qualitative reasoning provide an effective and sound technique for solving complex and uncertain scenarios. Uncertainties in engineering designs can be formulated as variables in the application domain and processed by numerical constraint reasoning. This paper describes the theories and algorithms behind a software platform built upon numerical constraint reasoning for engineering applications. The capability of representing design parameters and outcomes in a 2D solution space provides a practical way for engineers to leverage their existing knowledge and experience. The software expresses the results of the analysis in variable ranges and diagrams showing a 2D design space. Qualitative reasoning can assist in the difficult process of making appropriate engineering assumptions and judgments when carrying out complicated analysis procedures. In addition, interval constraint analysis can be used to derive controlling parameters and design space, therefore giving engineers a good overall understanding of a problem when practical experience is not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional engineering licensure is important in the career development of engineers who undertake work critical to protecting public health, safety, and welfare. The knowledge and experience of construction engineers has not previously been well represented in professional engineering licensure evaluation. The ASCE-CI Construction Engineering Education Committee identified recognition of construction engineering in the professional engineering licensure process as one of its missions when it was organized in 1995. With the support of the states and the receptiveness of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), improvements were gradually achieved in recognition of construction engineering experience by changes in NCEES Model Rules. In 2003, the NCEES Board decided to evaluate modification of the Civil Engineering PE exam to include a Construction Engineering module. The evaluation included a Professional Activities and Knowledge Study (PAKS) of the skills appropriate for construction engineers. Following approval of the NCEES Board in 2005, exam development has been underway with implementation planned for April 2008. An additional benefit of the PAKS is the improved understanding of knowledge needed by construction engineers in completing their work activities. These results should be valuable to construction engineering education and industry in identifying critical subject matter for inclusion in courses, curriculums, and continuing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the engineering profession. Information is presented on engineers' greatest job satisfaction. Examples of how engineers are clever problem solvers are given, as well as unintentional problems created by engineering projects. The importance of engineers to the waging of war is discussed. The development of engineering education in England and France is explored.

As engineers, we pride ourselves on being problem solvers. The paper, however, defines a class of problems that are serious, pervasive, and largely ignored. These are complex human problems that include widespread distortion of information. A methodology is presented to expose such problems. It draws upon two abilities long practiced by engineers: We learn from experience and draw sketches. Through this methodology, the paper describes how information can be distorted with catastrophic consequences even though the individuals involved are normal and well adjusted people who see their own behaviors as proper and reasonable. Blaming individuals often misperceives such problems. The paper provides an alternative to blame. The methodology has potentially widespread application for the study of accidents, failures, and environmental degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many earth structures, including foundations, retaining walls, and road embankments, exhibit signs of distress, such as excessive vertical or lateral movements and cracking. Rotation or tilting and cracking of the structural components in retaining walls are quite common and constitute the majority of cases of concern in built-up areas. This paper describes a general iterative methodology for the diagnosis of existing civil infrastructure, with emphasis on geotechnical problems. The term diagnosis, as used in this paper, refers to the process of determining a set of technical explanations for the occurrence of the observed defects. Using probability theory, the investigating engineer is in a better position to make informed decisions rather than simply relying on experience and intuition. Engineering decisions include the correctness of a given hypothesis; whether further investigations are necessary or a terminal decision can be made; and whether appropriate corrective action can be undertaken. A case study is used to demonstrate the application of the methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If the performance of a constructed facility fails to conform with what is intended or anticipated, the engineer-of-record for the facility can be charged with negligence and may bear the liability for damages arising from that failure. An engineer’s negligence is assessed by measuring the engineer’s actions relative to the “standard of care” of the profession. This paper briefly describes the meaning and application of the standard of care, and addresses the question, “What is ‘care’ with regard to engineering?” To examine that question, the paper introduces the five elements of the ethic of care as defined by Joan Tronto: attentiveness, responsibility, competence, responsiveness, and integrity, and builds on work by Marina Pantazidou and Indira Nair that identified care as an ethical framework suitable to provide guidance for engineering activities. The paper explores the applicability of the ethic of care to engineering practice by examining how the elements relate to the performance of engineers described in published case studies of engineering failures. The standard of care question raised in each case study is evaluated within the ethic of care framework, and an assessment is made of the engineer’s exercise of the elements of the ethic of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of factors suggest engineering and construction professionals should discuss increasing designers’ role in construction safety. Design civil engineers could contribute to construction worker safety by performing five tasks differently than current custom and practice: reviewing their designs, creating design documents, assisting the owner in procuring construction, reviewing submittals, and inspecting work in progress. However, four sets of major barriers would prevent designers from increasing worker safety through these tasks: lack of safety expertise, lack of understanding of construction processes, typical contract terms, and professional fees. Potential ways for reducing these barriers are suggested. The United Kingdom regulations requiring engineers to design for safety are summarized, but it is concluded that similar legislation in the United States would not be appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proficiency in technical writing is required of the student or professional engineer throughout his or her career. Technical writing that communicates well depends upon good organization at every level, from the details of grammar to the broad outline of structural headings and a title. Some aspects of organization in technical writing are readily prescribed by rules. Others, involving organization at a higher level, are not. This Technical Note first considers some hindrances to clearly written communication that are often overlooked in the literature. Concerned with the logical flow of ideas and with presentational form, the problems are illustrated by two examples of poor practice and suggestions for remedial action. The subject of the structural outline is then discussed and illustrated by the same examples. The emphasis of the note is that organization in technical writing is vital if the writer is to communicate his or her intended meaning and achieve the required outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case study of a dilemma facing a project engineer involved in horse farm construction project. Moral principles that govern engineering practice; Overall scope of the proposed development; Analysis of the case.

Examines the problem of postcompletion contractor claims from the perspective of an engineer or any other design professional who plays a similar drafting or administrative role. Influence of law on professional practice; Information on cardinal change; Concept of inefficiency claims.

Presents an article on the things learned by an engineer from his dogs. Quality of engineering education in the U.S.; Skills of dogs needed by a professional; Lessons that can be learned from the way dogs interact with their kind and with humans.

Discusses how engineers and engineering firms can prepare themselves for civil engineering projects in the third world countries. Overview of the global nature of the civil engineering practice; Need for educational credentials; Advantages of professional licensure.

Offers solutions to a problem facing a wastewater process engineer who suspects that a room in a wastewater treatment plant is not explosion proof. Actions that the engineer can take if a fire code official declared the plant explosion proof; Importance of complying with the code of ethics.

Engineers face a unique situation with respect to reporting unsafe situations that are created by an employer or a client, in that licensed engineers may have a legal or an ethical duty to “blow the whistle” on an employer in certain situations. This paper covers several aspects of whistle-blowing as they relate to practicing engineers. In the first section of the paper, five engineers are presented who have recently sought legal protection as whistle-blowers. This is followed by an analysis of state engineering regulations and professional ethics codes that often encourage, or even mandate that licensed engineers report employers or clients to governmental authorities in certain situations where the public safety is endangered. The next section presents an overview of whistleblower protection laws. Finally, there is a presentation of the potential for civil liability for those engineers who fail to report certain unsafe situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practicing engineers, educators, students, professional organizations, and licensing boards are continually struggling with the application of ethical standards to the practice of engineering. Ethical dilemmas, by their very nature, are complex and usually involve conflicting regulatory, organizational, contractual, societal, and business practices. Resolution of ethical dilemmas can be complicated or impeded by engineers without a working knowledge of ethical requirements, coupled with an inability to distinguish among different sources of these requirements and their corresponding role in the professional and legal environments. Accordingly, engineers often are confronted with unexpected legal and professional consequences as a result of their decisions on ethical issues. This paper examines the sources of professional responsibility requirements for engineers, typical provisions, enforcement mechanisms, and the legal implications of engineering ethics in the professional liability context, and suggests some changes in the current approach to engineering ethics in both the formal education and professional development of engineers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the implications of terrorism for the engineering profession. Role of civilian engineers in protecting public health, safety and welfare; Cause of mistakes and miscalculations made by an engineer; Overview of the actions taken by engineers to improve technology to fight terrorism.

Presents an ethics case in the professional practice of engineers in which the signs of the borings on the site of a proposed office building complex is missing which is essential to the design and analysis of a geotechnical engineer. Outcome of the survey among engineers and engineering students.

Seven hundred and forty four professional engineers in training courses on engineering documentation were given two versions of a text containing identical information. One version was structured as a linear argument leading up to the main item of information at the end; the other was structured so that a document summary was placed at the beginning, and the remaining text formatted so that the detail lay under a series of section summaries. They were asked to choose the version that most aided their information retrieval and to analyze their methods of extracting detailed information from both texts. They unanimously preferred the second version. All participants first read the summary (Abstract in this case) then read the section summaries in sequence. They then regressed to read the detail associated with each section summary. It is proposed that when reading a technical document, we look for overview information at successive levels of detail. Using this principle, documents can be designed to incorporate a navigational route of overview information; this will aid both the expert and nonexpert reader to obtain the individually required level of detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the industry perception of educational and licensing requirements for entry-level structural engineers, the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii, in conjunction with the Civil Engineering Dept. at the Univ. of Hawaii, distributed a two-part survey to their 240 members. The first part of the survey provided feedback on the current and potential license requirements for structural engineers in Hawaii. Although the majority of respondents hold a master’s degree, they do not support the ASCE proposal that a master’s degree be required for professional engineering licensure. The second part of the survey requested feedback on both undergraduate and graduate educational requirements for entry-level structural engineers. Based on the results of this survey, the structural engineering faculty at the Univ. of Hawaii are considering modifications to both undergraduate and graduate curricula. The survey results are presented along with observations that will interest all engineering educators. It is hoped that these results will encourage other universities and colleges to poll their industry constituents to aid in evaluation of their engineering programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the beginning of a handbook geared toward engineering students who want to work in developing countries in a socially responsible manner. The paper discusses socially responsible engineering in the field of development assistance. It suggests that actual contributions to the development process of a country happen when the engineer truly listens to the desires of those he/she is attempting to serve. Included in the paper are examples of development projects that have been successful and ones that have failed to reach their intended goals. The reasons for these successes and failures are examined. As well, examples of engineers combining social responsibility and their engineering skills in developing countries are given. Issues such as policy, appropriate technology, working conditions in developing countries, culture, participation, women engineers, education, and ethics are also explored. This paper is intended to stimulate a discussion about the role of engineers from industrialized countries in the Third World. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the problems related to traffic engineering profession. It discusses the importance of the procedure called traffic impact analyses (TIAs) in the developemnt of traffic systems. It also discusses the need for traffic engineers to possess engineering license for providing traffic engineering services.

This article offers ideas for approaching a case involving an alleged failure of a sludge treatment facility at a sewage treatment plant for a very large residential community. They include, first, narrowing the focus on the case by sticking to doing the best job on engineering matters and not involving oneself in politics, personalities, or other matters. Second, do not play the blame game. There are several factors that are demeaning and denigrating to the engineering profession, including the recent emphasis in government, business and the press on corporate misconduct and presumed lack of integrity, especially regarding engineering professionals.

Presents an applied ethics case of a city engineer from Plebian, Kansas. Concern of the engineer about the welfare of community; Comments of the engineer on the development of Windsor Ridge.

Focuses on the engineering profession in the 1990s. Observation on the status of engineers; Challenges engineers and educators alike are willing to grapple; Conclusions.

Editorial. Discusses quality in engineering business. Information on quality in engineering design; Challenges of maintaining quality; Details of dissemination of design task to multiple engineers; Importance of automation in engineering.

The author reflects on the challenges that engineers will confront as a result of globalization. The author argues that the advent of innovative technical processes as well as the emerging political, social, and economic landscape based on the principles of globalization will influence how engineers will relate with society in so far as infrastructure and construction issues are concerned.

Reports that the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) are looking for nominations for the 2006 ASCE and SEI Awards. Objective of the ASCE and SEI Honors and Awards Programs; ASCE awards based on meritorious papers; SEI awards.

Emphasizes the importance of improving the communications between lawyers and engineers. Factors contributing to the failure of communication between lawyers and engineers; Benefits of including a Legal Affairs section to the "Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice"; Introduction of papers on legal issues facing engineers.

An engineer providing services to a party other than his or her regular employer must balance several competing interests to make ethical judgments. Among these considerations are the engineer's personal welfare and reputation, the client's engineering needs, the employer's legitimate rights, and the greater interests of the profession and of society. Common situations and their ethical implications to an engineer who provides voluntary or profit-seeking services are discussed using the ASCE Code of Ethics as a basis. Engineers who take on personal clients on their own time are encouraged to think critically about the business environment of each commission, to tailor their conduct to the established standards of the profession, and to provide service without reliance on an employer's facilities. Engineers who volunteer their services to worthy causes are similarly urged to make their work a creditworthy example of the civil engineering profession. The paper concludes that with good judgment, an engineer can provide such services within ethical bounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]