Editor’s Note

The Technical Council on Forensic Engineering (TCFE) is planning the Fourth Forensic Engineering Congress, to be held on the campus of Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, October 6–9, 2006. Mark your calendar and watch for further details. A call for papers can be found on the ASCE Website: http://www.asce.org. Forensic engineering congresses are held every 3 years. Previous congresses were in Minneapolis, Minnesota (1997); San Juan, Puerto Rico (2000); and San Diego, California (2003).

The Committee on Practices to Reduce Failures (CPRF) of the ASCE Technical Council on Forensic Engineering (TCFE) is seeking brief manuscripts to be considered for inclusion in a publication entitled, Handbook on Practices to Reduce Failures. Recommended topics include structural failures, design errors, construction failures and accidents, building envelope problems/failures, indoor air quality issues, construction and project management issues, geotechnical failures, and problems related to the testing of engineering materials. For further information, including guidelines for format and submittal, contact Glenn G. Thater, Senior Project Director, LZA Technology, 641 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10011; E-mail: [email protected]

At the time of this writing, many forensic investigations are underway in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida, as a result of wind and flood damage accompanying Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. The Editorial Board for this journal invites manuscripts related to these tragic events. In particular, case studies describing the performance of specific constructed works are desired. I would be pleased to discuss potential manuscripts at any time. I can be contacted by mail: Kenneth L. Carper, School of Architecture & Construction Management, College of Engineering & Architecture, P.O. Box 642220, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-2220; by phone: (509) 335-1229; by FAX: (509) 335-6132; or by E-mail: [email protected]