Editor’s Note

The August 2006 issue of the Practice Periodical includes the Construction Forum. Cliff Schexnayder, the Editor of the Construction Forum prepared an interesting article on a combination of subjects: Roy H. Reinhart, the Pecos High Bridge, S. J. Groves, and a book about the history of the Washington Metro. Roy H. Reinhart is recently deceased after a long career as a distinguished geologist and wartime bridge engineer. He is missed by all; our deepest sympathy to his family. The Pecos was bridged utilizing a simple iron truss. S. J. Groves entered the big time in 1920 when Minnesota awarded the largest highway project ever let in the state to them.

The main section of the periodical includes six papers.

The first paper in this issue is entitled “Virtual Experiments for Welded Structural Steel Connections,” by Howard I. Epstein of the University of Connecticut and Christopher S. Barrett of the Electric Boat Corporation. As the title suggests, this paper covers a significant portion of their career and traces important aspects of welding and construction monitoring in which the authors present an analytic procedure that aids in the development and interpretation of full-scale tests. This is an important paper.

The second paper is entitled “Utilization of Trenchless Construction Methods in Mainland China to Sustain Urban Infrastructure” and was authored by Samuel T. Ariaratnam of the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, Wing Chan of the Earth Tool Company, and Derek Choi of the Balami Prima—Vermeer (China) Company. We appreciate their work in developing design aids for the practicing engineering profession. Although explicit solutions for open trenches can be found in many textbooks, a complete design procedure for trenchless construction under different loading conditions has not been well documented. In this paper, the authors have developed a procedure for three methods; horizontal directional drilling, pipe bursting, and pipe ramming. The procedure is illustrated by several examples involving different loading conditions.

The third paper in this issue is entitled “Challenges of Underpinning Two Landmark Buildings” and was prepared by three professionals: Andrew J. Ciancia, Gregory L. Biesiadecki and Brian E. Ladd all of the Langan Engineering & Environmental Services Company. Since its founding by Bernard Langan, this firm has been on the cutting edge in developing the art and science of foundation engineering, and as a result, this paper is highly recommended. This paper presents two case histories where underpinning was successfully executed in two different geologic settings. We know that investigation of structural underpinning is very different from the task of designing new or upgrading existing structures. It is important to know what data to look for and record, what samples to take, store, and evaluate, and what records to obtain and examine. A rational data gathering procedure is needed so that important information is obtained in a timely manner and that none is lost. These authors do an excellent job of providing guidance that can be used for structuring an effective structural underpinning investigation. This is a timely paper in the light of the many underpinning disasters that have occurred in this country in the past, which numerous engineers are investigating.

The fourth paper is entitled “Learning Seismic Design from the Earthquake Itself” and was prepared by Ergin Atimtay of the Middle East Technical University and Recip Kanit of Gazi University. This paper provides practical information on the design of structures to withstand earthquake-induced shocks. The behavior of walls supported on footings is a complex design problem. The authors used the seismic method to analyze a number of structures with different geometries. The results of their analysis showed that data from earlier earthquakes could be used for the basis of the seismic design. It is also stated that very high stresses due to shear and bending occur on the structure during an earthquake. Their studies indicate that buildings designed with shear walls are less likely to collapse during an earthquake. Shear walls are the seismic collapse insurance of a building.

The fifth paper in this issue is entitled “Experimental Stiffness and Seismic Response of Pallet-Type Steel Storage Rack Connectors.” It was prepared by André Filiatrault of the State University of New York at Buffalo, Peter S. Higgins of Peter S. Higgins & Associates, and Assawin Wanitkorkul of the State University of New York at Buffalo. All storage racks require some form of support, and since there are numerous different heights of racks, there is a need for different types and methods of connectors. The study described in this paper deals with the analysis and testing of pallet-type steel storage rack connectors. The studies suggest an initial static stiffness, which degrades and recovers with small motions typical of in-service conditions. Rack specimens were able to undergo large inelastic deformations without compromising their load carrying capacity.

The sixth and final paper is pavement oriented and is entitled “Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Detection and Quantity Determination” and was prepared by Khaled Nassar of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Walid Nassar of Dar Al-Handasah. This paper deals with recycling existing pavements commonly used in urban areas. Such pavements are generally built of asphalt topping over an aggregate base. Design codes specify high standards of serviceability and rigid requirements for these pavements. This paper presents state-of-the-art research conducted on reclaimed asphalt pavement and its detection in new mixes.

The editorial board requests its readers to consider submitting discussions and comments on the subject matter and quality of papers included in this issue.