The Eads Bridge across the Mississippi River between St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois stands as one of the most significant engineering achievements of the 19th century. Designed by James B. Eads and opened on July 4, 1874, it was the first steel structure bridge in the United States and remains an iconic […]
Infrastructure construction demands materials and methods that balance structural integrity, cost efficiency, and long-term durability. Among the most widely used components in drainage and conveyance systems are precast concrete box culverts, which carry stormwater, sewage, and industrial waste beneath roads, railways, and developed sites. Until recently, designers and engineers lacked a dedicated standard for the
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has long been a cornerstone of structural engineering standards, providing the technical foundation that guides how concrete is specified, tested, and placed in construction projects worldwide. When the ACI Foundation launched a dedicated fellowship for the Carolinas chapter, it signaled something important about the future of the industry: professional development
The American Wood Council (AWC) has long served as a critical resource for engineers, architects, and builders working with wood-frame structures. One of its most valuable publications is the workbook titled Design of Wood Frame Buildings for High Wind, Snow, and Seismic Loads, which provides design examples and checklists for wood-frame structures in compliance with
A new report from Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty (AGCS) reveals a dramatic shift in the global landscape of supertall building construction. North America now accounts for only 16 percent of the world’s tallest buildings, while Southeast Asia holds 48 percent and the Middle East 30 percent. More than half of the planet’s highest-rising structures
When a builder or structural engineer takes on a renovation or retrofit of an existing steel-framed building, one of the first challenges is identifying exactly what steel sections were used in the original construction. Unlike modern construction where standardized shapes follow well-documented specifications, buildings erected between the late 19th century and the mid-20th century often
For professional home builders, understanding how structural standards have evolved to address seismic risk is no longer optional — it is a fundamental requirement for delivering safe, durable homes. Recent seismic events in regions not traditionally associated with earthquake activity have underscored the importance of modern building codes. The experience of Oklahoma, which recorded 623
Wind Uplift Testing for Roofs: How Builders Can Assess and Improve Hurricane Resilience When a hurricane makes landfall, the roof is often the first line of defense for a home, and too often, it is also the first point of failure. Wind uplift, the upward force exerted on a roof surface by high-velocity wind passing
Tsunami-Resistant House Design: Breakaway Walls, Flood Rooms, and Elevated Foundations for Coastal Builders As climate patterns shift and coastal populations continue to grow, the need for tsunami-resistant residential construction has moved from a niche concern to a mainstream building priority. The Tsunami House, designed by Designs Northwest Architects on a coastal island in Washington State,
Why Texas Lagged in the IBHS Hurricane Code Ranking The 2012 IBHS report “Rating the States” evaluated 18 hurricane-prone coastal states on the strength of their residential building codes and enforcement systems. Texas finished 16th, ahead of only Mississippi and Alabama. The primary reason: Texas has no statewide building code. Instead, code adoption is left
