Harnessing knowledge
The use of digital databases by structural engineers to gather knowledge and experience on failures, with the aim of improving the built environment, is discussed. NEEShub (Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation, Purdue University) and the Disaster and Failure Events Data Repository (NIST) of the USA, and CROSS (Institution of Structural Engineers) of the UK are considered, as are forensic information models, such as that created by Thonton Tomasetti (Chicago, USA). A global failure database is being called for, to be built under the auspices of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineers.
ENR - Engineering News-Record, vol.268, no.10. 9 April 2012. pp.8-9.
Lighter, stronger, greener - building with composites
Composites have long been used in the construction industry for moulds, interior architecture and exterior cladding of buildings. However their use is just a small percentage of the total building market and there is huge potential for growth. There is now a trend for composites to form the structures themselves, as is instanced in their growing use in bridge construction. There is also a trend to use composites for the repair of buildings. Notes the conservatism of the construction industry but says that composites offer advantages in terms of lightweighting, design flexibility and choice of finishes, as well as energy and carbon dioxide reduction.
Reinforced Plastics, Mar./Apr. 2012. pp.30-35.
