Future Forward: Use a PERMIT System to Promote Safety on the Job Site
This page profiles innovative and impactful applied research in civil and structural engineering. Patrick Tarrant is the founder and CEO of Crane Management, a consulting agency for construction companies in New York City. A well-known industry professional with more than 40 years of experience, Tarrant is frequently hired as an expert witness in construction and safety cases. Trained in all areas of crane operations, he is a certified hoist operator, master rigger, American Welding Soci...
Change Leader: Technology Is Changing Construction More Than Ever Before
Viet T.P. Pham Blake Potts Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Consultant Viet T.P. Pham of MT Højgaard in Denmark and Regional VDC Manager Blake Potts of Rogers-O’Brien Construction in the United States are experts in digital construction who use Pix4D’s drone mapping technology for site surveying. Change The greatest challenge in the construction industry is productivity—or, to be more specific, lack of productivity. Investing in the most advanced technologies for surveying a...
Code Update: How Changes to AISC 360-16 Affect HSS Connection Design
If you’re reading this column, you probably downloaded the new specification (www.aisc.org/publications/steel-standards), looked at Chapter K and wondered, “What the heck?!?!” Relax, and take a deep breath; it’s not as bad as it may seem at first glance. Reason for Change It wasn’t too long ago that a Hollow Structural Section (HSS) spec didn’t even exist. AISC 360-05 was the first time HSS connection provisions were brought into the main body of the specification and were introduced as Chapte...
Civil Spotlight: T.Y. Lin’s Heller Receives Special Award from Arizona DOT
This column in Informed Infrastructure aims to highlight a particular civil engineer or civil engineering project that received deserving credit for improving the profession. Joseph (Joe) Heller, P.E., a T.Y. Lin International (TYLI) design engineer, received an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Partnering Spirit Award for the U.S. 60 and Bell Road Traffic Interchange Design-Build (D-B) project in Surprise, Ariz., which is near Phoenix and one of the fastest-growing suburbs in t...
Final Thoughts: Bridges: Overcoming Gaps Literally and Metaphorically
The main theme of this issue of Informed Infrastructure is “bridges,” which allow people to cross rivers that used to be barriers. They provide a way to span a gap or valley rather than travel long distances around them. Bridges allow different modes of transportation to operate in the same space; connect areas previously separated; and offer opportunities for innovation in design and construction. These structures—often taken for granted—also can be admired simply for their beautiful shape or f...
From the Editor: Variety and the Growth of Community
Infrastructure Week (May 15-19; infrastructureweek.org) was recently held in Washington, D.C., and several other cities across the United States. Infrastructure Week was founded and is led by a bipartisan Steering Committee that includes leading business groups, think tanks, unions and professional organizations. The week-long series of events hopes to raise national awareness of the need to invest in U.S. infrastructure, and it kicked off at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with panel discussions a...
Executive Corner: It’s Critical to Understand Why a Project Is Valuable
Effective architecture and engineering (A/E) firm leadership starts with the understanding that we’re in the business of delivering projects, and these projects are managed and delivered by people. To effectively run the business, leaders need clear and reliable data on their people and projects. For this installment of “Executive Corner,” Russ Ryan, principal at Rusk O’Brien Gido + Partners (email: rryan@rog-partners.com) interviews JJ Brantingham, co-founder at Planifi, project performance and...
Structural Solutions: Nuggets of Wisdom for Engineers Young and Old, Part 1
If you haven’t been to the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) NASCC Steel Conference, you really need to go. It’s not just about the PDHs; there’s an awful lot to learn. The day-to-day “busy-ness” of running a company takes me out of the loop sometimes (well, most of the time), but it’s important to stay on top of what’s going on in the steel world, particularly because many of our projects are steel. AISC and the steel conference have historically been advocates for educating youn...
From the Editor: Infrastructure Report Card Again Near Failing
Like for many students across the country, my kids’ school semester ended earlier this year. They each worked hard, doing their homework, studying for quizzes and tests, and preparing for finals. Also, like most kids, they would rather be spending their time doing almost anything else instead of school work. All You Have to Fear Is … Setting aside attendance mandates from parents and state authorities, why do most kids go to school and try to get good grades? Before they’re mature enough to be...
Infrastructure Outlook: User Beware: Energy Code Not Always a Helpful ‘How To’
The cornerstone of sustainable design is simple: don’t waste energy, water or gas. Do the most with the least. In fact, this is the mantra for all businesses that compete in capital markets where continually stretching dollars is a must. Energy conservation is certainly a principled pursuit and worthy cause. It’s imperative we do all we can to minimize consumption of nonrenewable resources. However, there are times when conservation costs more than it’s worth. The Energy Code of Choice The ar...
Stormwater Interview with Robert Page, P.E., Vice President, HNTB
Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail Expansion
February Issue 2026
