Civil Engineering Magazine

The hurricane-resistant design of a new town in southwest Florida was put to the ultimate test when a Category 4 storm sat over the site for about eight hours in September 2022. The hurricane eventually moved on; the town remained, almost unscathed.

Researchers have developed a fire propagation model that can determine whether a building will survive a wildfire. It will have profound implications for civil engineers, policymakers, and communities.

The longstanding reliance on historical climate trends to help predict future weather-related events is no longer viable. Civil engineers must adapt to the new risks of flooding and coastal storms brought about by climate change and find new solutions.

Coping with natural disasters is a fact of life. Civil engineers are on the ground in the aftermath as first responders, investigators, and rebuilders. But how do they stay safe in disaster zones and still get their jobs done?