How to Use a Jackhammer
The jackhammer is a versatile drill that may be powered hydraulically, electrically, or pneumatically. It is used for drilling rocks, breaking pavement, and other work that needs violent hammering. It…
U.S. Steel Tower and PPG Place: Wonders of Material Engineering
The U.S. Steel Tower and PPG Place are two very different buildings to look at in downtown Pittsburgh. However, they do have one thing in common: both structures were created…
Strain Can Be Stressful
What do pasta, muscles, and a roof truss have in common? They all can be strained, although only one experiences structural engineering strain. A continuing series of articles on fundamental…
An Introduction to Earthquake Engineering: Goals, Technology, and Research Methods
Earthquake engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering that influences the life and property of all human beings. It is this science that has provided an in-depth knowledge of earthquakes,…
Base Isolation in Seismic Engineering
In this age of technological evolution, the field of seismic engineering has a reputation for creative thinking and advanced technology beyond conventional solutions. Seismic isolation is a fitting technology. In…
Soil Compaction Equipment
A variety of equipment is used for soil compaction. A road roller is one of the main items of equipment in this category that is used extensively for road construction.…
What is Soil Mechanics?
Soil is formed in layers due to the physical, chemical, and biological processes that include transformation of soil materials. Soil mechanics is basically the study of soil and its properties…
Pavement Maintenance: Pounds of Prevention vs. Tons of Cure
Ever hit a pothole at 70mph? To paraphrase Ben Franklin, do a little preventive work now and save a lot of curative work later. Applied to roads and highways, this…
Tension and Compression, the Yin and Yang of Structural Engineering
A continuing series of articles on fundamental structural engineering analyses. In this article the tensile and compressive stress in structural elements is examined. Since this determination is usually not trivial,…
Road Traffic Safety Barriers
Life is precious, and should not be wasted by road accidents. Use of the road safety features and proper driving may prevent road accidents. The roads have been designed keeping…
