Engineering Management Institute

Infrastructure

TCEP 220: How Climate Change Is Increasing the Risk of a Megaflood

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Risk of a MegafloodIn this episode, I talk to Daniel L. Swain, Ph.D., a climate scientist focused on the dynamics and impacts of extreme events like a megaflood, about climate change, the intersection between extreme weather and climate in applied societal contexts, and how it can affect civil engineers going forward.

Engineering Quotes:

megaflood

megaflood

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Daniel:

  • You co-authored an article called “Climate change is increasing the risk of a California megaflood” that contains some in-depth research about the risk of a megaflood in California. Can you briefly explain what the article was about, why engineers should be aware of this, and how it might affect civil engineers going forward?
  • How do you use a “weather-centric” approach to studying climate change?
  • Can you explain what you mean by saying many kinds of extreme weather events are increasing in a warming climate and having major impacts on society — but the details are important and blanket statements are inadvisable?
  • What are some of the implications for infrastructure design and reconstruction that civil engineers need to be aware of?
  • What can engineering firms and leaders do to prevent critical events and catastrophic failures from happening?
  • What does a practicing scientist-communicator do, why is this role important, and why does it exist so rarely in academic and scientific contexts?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Climate Change Is Increasing the Risk of a Megaflood:

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TCEP 212: How Climate Adaptation and Resilience Connect to Civil Engineering Projects

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Climate Adaptation and ResilienceIn this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Emory Lee, AICP, ENV SP, MCIP-I, WEDG, Climate Adaptation & Resilience Lead for Ramboll Group A/S in New York about climate adaptation and resilience in engineering and some of the potential jobs or roles there are within climate adaptation.

Engineering Quotes:

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Emory:

  • What is climate adaptation and resilience?
  • How do climate adaptation and resilience connect to civil engineering projects?
  • Are there specific projects that more commonly require your expertise?
  • What are some of the key points that civil engineers should know about climate adaptation and resilient infrastructure?
  • What potential jobs or roles are there within climate adaptation?
  • What final piece of advice can you provide to engineers looking to transition into a career similar to yours?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Climate Adaptation and Resilience:

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TCEP 195: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: How It Will Affect Civil Engineers

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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

In this episode, I talk to Dennis D. Truax, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, D.WRE, F.NSPE, F.ASCE, the 2022 President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the professor emeritus of the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Mississippi State University about the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and how it will affect civil engineering companies in the short and long term.

Engineering Quotes:


Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dennis:

  • What does the new legislation, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, entail?
  • How soon will funding be available for this legislation?
  • Are civil engineering schools addressing new technologies in their curricula?
  • Should companies that are interested in the projects keep in contact with their DOT?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

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TCEP 172: Intelligent Infrastructure: A New Vision for Civil Engineering Professionals

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Intelligent Infrastructure

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Luna Lu Ph.D., the ACPA Professor and Director of the Center for Intelligent Infrastructure at Purdue University, about intelligent infrastructure and how it can benefit civil engineers and the community.

Engineering Quotes:

Intelligent Infrastructure

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Dr. Luna Lu Ph.D.:

  • Can you please provide us with an update on the condition of the U.S. infrastructure from your perspective?
  • Please tell us more about the discovery of functional nanomaterials with tunable properties for energy harvesting and infrastructure sensing applications, and what intelligent infrastructure is?
  • How would you say one can achieve intelligence?
  • What is the overall goal you would like to achieve with the research on sensors that could speed up construction schedules?
  • In your article in The Exponent called “Building the way to a smart future,” it mentions that smart infrastructure aims to create roadways and bridges that can communicate with cars and collect data. How will that work?
  • Can you share with our listeners some of the other exciting projects you are currently working on?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Intelligent Infrastructure:

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TCEP 167: ASCE 2020 Report Card – West Virginia | Bridging the Gap for Young Civil Engineers

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report card

In this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Tabitha Lafferre, E.I., an Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology at Fairmont State University about how the ASCE 2020 Report Card for West Virginia’s Infrastructure was a way of connecting engineering students with experienced professionals. Joining Tabitha in the conversation is one of her students, and the president of the ASCE Student Chapter, Lauren Johnson, who also worked on the report card.

Engineering Quotes:

report card

report card

report card

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tabitha and Lauren:

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TCEP 165: Fostering Innovation on Major Infrastructure Projects

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major infrastructure projects

In this episode, I talk to Milos Vasiljevic, PE, Program Manager at HDR, about fostering innovation on major infrastructure projects, and I mean mega projects. Milos has worked on some really interesting projects and will discuss some of the details and benefits of working on these megaprojects.

Engineering Quotes:

major infrastructure projects

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Milos:

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TCEP 150: Smart Parking Solutions: Developed to Be a Destination

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parking

In this episode of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk to Tony Mette, P.E., S.E., and Jay Chamberlain, P.E., who both work at THP Limited, a firm that specializes in large scale, complex structural engineering, building restoration, and parking projects. I talk to them about Parksmart, a system designed to advance sustainable mobility through smart parking solutions by designing smarter parking structures and operation.

Engineering Quotes:

parking

parking

parking

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Tony and Jay:

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TCEP 139: What Goes Into Developing the ASCE Report Card for America’s Infrastructure?

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ASCE Report Card

In this episode, which is part of our Women in Civil Engineering series, I talk to Peyton Gibson, EIT, ENV SP, a civil engineer who works for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the Board of Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment. She also serves as the ASCE Colorado’s Infrastructure Report Card Chair, and that’s what we focus on in this episode: what goes into developing the ASCE Infrastructure report card, both at the national and state levels.

Engineering Quotes:

ASCE Report Card

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Peyton:

  • What led you to make your recent career change?
  • What is the report card and what is its intent?
  • Can you take us through the process of how ASCE came up with the final grading in the report card?
  • With the amount of work, staff, and volunteers that are involved in compiling the report, how did you work through the process of managing all the different chapters?
  • What do you think motivated the volunteers?
  • What happens once you receive that grade and how can it be utilized to improve infrastructure?
  • How do you have the funding and the resources for the marketing that needs to be done once the problem areas have been identified?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Developing the ASCE Report Card:

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TCEP 138: Pipeline Infrastructure – Emerging Renewal Technologies for Pressurized Pipelines

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Pressurized Pipelines

In this episode, I talk to Steve Soldati, P.E., the Regional Sales Manager at Aegion Corporation. Steve was previously seen on episode 74 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, where he discussed effective communication strategies. In today’s episode, he will discuss emerging renewal technologies for pressurized pipelines, which can be very applicable to today’s world of crumbling infrastructure.

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Steve:

  • Can you tell us about some of the career transitions you’ve had since we spoke with you last time on the podcast?
  • What is a pressurized pipeline?
  • In terms of the pressurized pipe systems, what is the landscape of the nation’s existing pressurized pipeline infrastructure?
  • What is the risk associated with this aging infrastructure?
  • From an engineering perspective, what are the challenges in trying to address this aging infrastructure of pressurized pipelines?
  • While there are risks involved, what are some things that can be done for renewing and rehabilitating this infrastructure?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Emerging Renewal Technologies for Pressurized Pipelines:

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TCEP 103: A Field Trip to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Conference

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Port Authority

In episode 103 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I am bringing you with me to the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Conference where I will be talking with several guests to get their view on the state of Infrastructure, but also tools and strategies you can use on your projects.   From smart landscaping features that serves as safe barriers to things you should know about disaster recovery when designing your projects, and even a software that will help you ensure that all parties on your projects are looking at the latest version of the project plans.  The conference was presented by Engineering News-Record (ENR).

Here are some of the question I asked our guests at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Conference:

  • What should engineers be aware of in terms of new landscaping products for infrastructure projects?
  • Tell us what disaster recovery means for designers in the A/E/C industry?
  • What are some of the things you can do to alleviate the challenges behind project document coordination?
  • How can civil engineers and project managers work on their people skills?
  • What is your opinion of the importance people-management in project management?

Here are some key points discussed in this episode at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Conference:

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