EDITOR'S NOTE

This issue marks the beginning of the 19th year of publication of the Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities. It has been my pleasure to serve as editor since the formation of the publications committee in 1986. Throughout this time, it has been gratifying to see the Journal maintain its focus on the improvement of engineering practice. Also encouraging is the continuing interdisciplinary character of the manuscripts submitted to the Journal.

During the past year the Journal has seen an increase in the number of submitted manuscripts and a substantial increase in the inventory of approved papers awaiting publication. Both developments are good for the health of the Journal and they make the editor’s job much easier. However, there is a negative aspect in that authors must wait longer to see their work in print. I am pleased to announce that the ASCE Committee on Publications has granted the Journal a page-budget increase. A typical issue, beginning with this one, will include approximately 100 pages—an increase of 25 pages over previous issues. This increase provides more substance in each issue. Also, the average waiting time from manuscript submission to publication will be reduced.

The 2005 Structures Congress, sponsored by the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), will be held in New York City from April 20–24, 2005. The Technical Council on Forensic Engineering (TCFE) is pleased to participate in the Structures Congress at the invitation of SEI. A Forensic Engineering Symposium, comprised of many sessions organized by TCFE, will run as a major track throughout the Congress. For more information, visit the Congress Web site: www.seinstitute.org. The Structures Congress and the TCFE Forensic Engineering Symposium may prove to be the most valuable and productive conference of 2005. Plan to be there!

Many projects and activities are underway in the TCFE. For a complete history of the activities of the Technical Council on Forensic Engineering, see K. L. Carper’s “Technical Council on Forensic Engineering: Twenty-Year Retrospective Review,” in Forensic Engineering: Proceedings of the Third Congress, edited by P. Bosela, N. Delatte, and K. Rens (ASCE, Reston, Va., 2003). New ideas and new members who are willing to contribute are always welcomed by each of the TCFE committees. TCFE maintains an Executive Committee, an Awards Committee, and six standing committees:

All TCFE committees plan to meet during the April 2005 Structures Congress in New York City. If you plan to attend the Structures Congress, this would be an excellent opportunity to attend TCFE committee meetings and initiate membership with the council. Should you wish to be informed as to the time and date of the meetings, please let me know. I will see that you are included in the informational mailing list when the schedule is determined. I can be contacted by mail: Kenneth L. Carper, School of Architecture and Construction Management, College of Engineering and Architecture, P.O. Box 642220, Washington State University, Pullman, WA. 99164-2220; by phone: (509) 335-1229; by FAX: (509) 335-6132; or by e-mail: [email protected]