December 2007 | Volume 77, Issue 12

Anne Thompson

ON THE COVER:
In a significant departure from the bunkerlike designs of some federal buildings, the Wayne L. Morse United States Courthouse, in Eugene, Oregon, is distinguished by a fluid, sculptural design that uses natural light to great advantage in enhancing the building’s connection to the outside world. Photograph by Tim Griffith

Features

Taking the Lead

By Gaafar Gaafar, P.E., S.E., M.ASCE, and Chris Tung, P.E., S.E.

The teardrop-shaped courtrooms within a new federal courthouse in Eugene, Oregon, find reflection in the structure’s curved steel exterior, while the structural engineering and building systems reflect the federal government’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Demolition by Design

By Margaret Tang, A.M.ASCE, David A. Carlson, P.E., M.ASCE, Richard Miller, P.E., Stephen Goldblum, Greg Paquin, and Mohammed Ettouney, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE

A comprehensive plan was developed and tested to protect streets and utilities from the impact of a large garage that was to be demolished by implosion. To conserve fuel, the plan made use of local materials, including a cache of old tires that found a new purpose.

Double Trouble

Designing a medical facility in Charleston, South Carolina,to resist both hurricanes and seismic events posed significant challenges for the engineers, who had to resolve the sometimes conflicting structural requirements.

A More Direct Route

By Kenneth A. Kvalheim, M.ASCE, and Hal Andersen

Air travel routes in the United States are becoming more congested and more flights are predicted for the future, so the Federal Aviation Administration is seeking ways to maximize efficiency and minimize delays. One option it is considering uses the Global Positioning System to streamline flight paths, which could have serious implications for airport design.