Most Clicked ASCE SmartBrief Stories
1. 4 groups cleared to bid on Tappan Zee Bridge project
ASCE SmartBrief | Feb 08, 2012
Four consortiums have been qualified to bid on the Tappan Zee Bridge project in New York. The qualified groups are Hudson River Bridge Constructors; Kiewit-Skanska-Weeks Joint Venture; Tappan Zee Bridge Partners; and Tappan Zee Constructors. One of the groups will be awarded a contract later this year. Times Herald-Record (Middletown, N.Y.), The (tiered subscription model) (02/08) Mid-Hudson News Network (Middletown, N.Y.) (02/07)
2. Tokyo's "Dinosaur Bridge" opens after 10 years of construction
ASCE SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
A 1.6-mile-long truss bridge in Tokyo will open to traffic on Feb. 12 after 10 years of construction. Constraints dealing with ship and air traffic limited design options -- the Tokyo Gate Bridge had to be wide, but not too high, so the end result is a 36,000-ton bridge that is said to resemble two dinosaurs facing off. Bloomberg (02/09)
3. Inside Boston's Zakim-Bunker Hill Bridge
ASCE SmartBrief | Feb 13, 2012
Boston's Zakim-Bunker Hill Bridge carries 200,000 vehicles a day and is the widest cable-stayed bridge in the world with 116 cables. It is noted for its distinctive lights -- 175 in all -- that can turn the bridge pink, green or blue. The Zakim is 745 feet long, and a team of engineers does a full inspection every two years. WCVB-TV (Boston) (02/13) WCVB-TV (Boston) (02/13)
4. German tower leans 5.19 degrees; Tower of Pisa, 3.9 degrees
ASCE SmartBrief | Feb 08, 2012
New York Times (tiered subscription model), The (02/06)
5. Technique could mitigate potential liquefaction caused by quakes
ASCE SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
Induced Partial Saturation is a method developed by engineers at Boise State University to reduce soil liquefaction. The technique involves injecting non-hazardous chemical solutions into the ground, which causes gas bubbles that help lessen saturation. "The outcome of this research is far reaching, because it can be implemented in urban areas with a lot of infrastructure in place, which can have a worldwide impact on human safety and protection of properties from liquefaction hazard of earthquakes," said Arvin Farid, a professor of civil engineering. United Press International (02/09)
6. London to build world's first rotating skyscraper
ASCE SmartBrief | Feb 13, 2012
The world's first rotating high-rise building, which was originally planned for Dubai, is slated to be built in London this year. "As the city prepares to host for the third time the Summer Olympics in 2012, it wishes to bring this icon of future life to London, receiving its own rotating tower to serve as the landmark for the event, and an inspiration for generations to come," according to the London-based Dynamic Group. Emirates Business 24/7 (United Arab Emirates) (02/11)
7. Engineers: Bolt failure may have caused collapse at Cincinnati casino
ASCE SmartBrief | Feb 13, 2012
Engineers believe bolt failure was a possible cause of the collapse of the steel structure at the Cincinnati casino, which injured 13 workers who were pouring concrete when it gave way. Connections for beams attached to the mid-span of the main beam were broken, so investigators will review the building sequence. "It's fairly extreme for an entire bay to fall down with all the framing," said Steven Smith, vice president of forensic firm CTLGroup. Engineering News-Record (02/13)
8. Cost of WTC construction surges to $14.8B, audit finds
ASCE SmartBrief | Feb 08, 2012
The cost of building the World Trade center complex in New York City has risen to $14.8 billion from $11 billion in 2008, according to auditors. Some of the increases are due to "construction setbacks" such as a design flaw that means millions must be spent to construct temporary loading areas. Crain's New York Business (02/07) Google (02/07)
9. Sky villages: Japan's answer to earthquake, tsunami threats
ASCE SmartBrief | Feb 09, 2012
Circular concrete bases that rise 66 feet into the air could be the foundation for "Sky villages" in Japan. The idea of Japanese architect Keiichiro Sako is to build the massive bases and create villages on high manmade ground to avoid the destruction of tsunamis. Each base would support up to 500 houses, and the bases would contain offices, industry and essential services. China.org.cn (China) (02/08)
10. 540-foot-tall solar tower rises in Nevada
ASCE SmartBrief | Feb 13, 2012
Developer SolarReserve has completed construction of a 540-foot-tall tower for its 110-megawatt solar Crescent Dunes plant in Nevada. Mirrors will direct sunlight to the tower, heating molten salt to generate steam. "This project is on track to bring American innovation to fruition and is already creating jobs," said Kevin Smith of SolarReserve. EnergyBoom.com (02/10)
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