The Magazine of the American Society of Civil Engineers
December 2020

Feature

Chase Center arena in San Francisco excels above and below ground

The opening of the Chase Center arena in San Francisco is the capstone in the transformation of the city’s Mission Bay neighborhood. Located on reclaimed ground with weak soils and a high water table, the project works were innovative above and below grade.

Protecting your business from cyberthieves

The internet ecosystem is constantly evolving, and it has created a number of unintended opportunities for cyberthieves. Knowing what to do should you fall victim to a cyberthief will prove invaluable.

U.S. Army Corps deconstructs nuclear facilities, carefully

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently decommissioned and dismantled a nuclear power plant onboard a ship — the first of a trio of reactors that must be deconstructed over the next several years.

Louisville Water completes its multiyear lead pipe replacement project

The Louisville Water Company achieved a notable goal in March 2020: removing its last known public lead service lines, a milestone reached by only a few other U.S. utilities.
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Technology

History Lesson

Perseverance pays off: The Transatlantic Telegraph Cable

The design and positioning of the Transatlantic Telegraph Cable — the internet of its day — was a daring, costly endeavor.

Fast Forward

Spa design collects water from fog for use on-site

An international architecture firm has released the design of a health spa in eastern Nepal that will capture moisture from fog and convert it into water.

A Question of Ethics

Part 1 of 2: ASCE’s new code of ethics explained

In the first of two parts, general counsel Tara Hoke highlights similarities and differences between ASCE’s new code of ethics and its predecessor.

Civil Engineering News

Modular facade of renewable tech firm’s HQ features photovoltaic panels

Daylight and shading studies helped create the new facade on a South Korean skyscraper that incorporates the firm’s own solar panels.

Maryland school district uses public-private partnership to build public schools

A Maryland school district entered into a public-private partnership that will design, build, finance, and maintain six public schools.

AI makes quick work of earthquake damage assessment

Using aerial images from disaster scenes, a new Japanese artificial intelligence model is able to quickly evaluate building damage.

Low-carbon community in China to transform waterfront

Modular canopies will be the visual highlight of the new development and its transportation hub.

The Law

Who bears the risk when contracts do not turn out as expected?

A case involving an otherwise mundane issue led to a surprising — and possibly far-reaching — conclusion.

Policy Briefing

Federal election results spell a mixed message for infrastructure funding

The outlook for federal infrastructure funding remains unclear in the wake of a Joe Biden victory and the possibility of a divided Congress.

Next Step

Using big data to make better asset management decisions

Sabrina N. Rivera, P.E., M.ASCE, is using big data to help the utility she works for make smart asset decisions.

Higher Learning

College course focuses on how fire affects structures

Structural fire engineering is a subset of civil and structural engineering that many civil engineering graduates know next to nothing about. Erica Fischer, Ph.D., M.ASCE, is working to change this.

President's Note

12 reasons to become an ASCE member

Why be a member of ASCE? There are many good reasons.

Editor's Note

The pandemic will influence the 2021 market for civil engineering

Some segments of the AEC market will do better than others as the economy improves.