How Structural Engineering Firms Help Improve Drains and Other Community Facilities

New Orleans has been consistently plagued with flood problems and drainage system failures in recent years. While the city have so much to offer, concerns over flooding can become a turn off especially for visitors and investors.

For their part, the local government continues to work at solutions that can finally control flooding and maintain roads and other important infrastructure. In this regard, structural engineering firms can prove to be a big help for the improvement and development of cities like New Orleans.

Building Structures to Last

One way these firms can help improve cities and other local communities is by building resilient structures that will stand up against the onslaught of heavy rain, for example. Storms and hurricanes can get pretty harsh in New Orleans, that’s why buildings and other infrastructure should be well-designed. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2gN4AjH

New Orleans Storm Water Management System Under Scrutiny for Further Improvements

As New Orleans once again faces the threat of floodwaters inundating their streets, local communities face the grim reality that it is almost inevitable. However, difficult and challenging the situation may be, this is not something that they can--or should--easily give up on.

The lessons of Hurricane Katrina, while painful, ought to be kept in mind so that the tragedy does not happen again. For their part, the local government immediately looked to other model countries, such as the Netherlands, so they can better learn how to handle the situation.

The Importance of Stormwater Management

Stormwater management is a complex process that depends mainly on the environmental landscape and other factors to be successful. With the right planning and implementation, it could easily prove to be a viable solution for the long run. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2xgQFwO

How Can Civil Engineering Consultants Help Crack New Orleans’ Traffic Problem?

As anyone who has lived in a city can attest to, there are many perks to living in an urban area. From greater job opportunities, to richer cultural experiences and an exciting nightlife, city living can be uniquely rewarding.

Yet there is one downside that all city dwellers must contend with every day: traffic jams.

This is a reality that many New Orleans residents know all too well. According to an article from The Times-Picayune, The Big Easy ranks 20th for the worst traffic in the country, with drivers spending up to 50% longer in their cars during the evening peak rush hour. This figure is up 1% compared to 2015, suggesting that this problem isn’t going away anytime soon. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2vhdCOa

Structural Engineering Services You Need When Constructing a New Building

A lot goes into planning the construction of a new building. From the foundation to the electrical wiring, this process requires insight and years of experience. You get these attributes when you work with a structural engineer. They can provide your company with many helpful services, which are needed to safely and efficiently build new structures.

Water Resource Management

Water is one the most important substances on earth, but there are some problems with its conservation and pollution. It’s estimated that by 2080, 43-50 percent of the population will be living in water-scarce countries.

Water resource management seeks to deal with these problems, which can be carried out flawlessly when you hire a structural engineer. They’ll devise a strategy that works for your company’s budget and surrounding structures. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2gGf0BA

These Four Construction Projects Have Civil Engineering Firms Excited

New Orleans is no stranger to road bumps. As one might expect, Hurricane Katrina put a damper on the city’s development, and the last decade was devoted to rehabilitating The Big Easy.

However, the worst has come to pass and development has begun picking up again. Nowhere is this more evident than in the growing number of construction projects going on in the city. The huge influx of capital in the city signals investors’ confidence in New Orleans’ prospects.

As civil engineering firms in New Orleans point out, there are many—and varied—developments happening all over the city. Take a look at the most promising ones rising in this city today. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2ws4STW

Government and Property Owners Should Strive Jointly to Make Storm Water Management Work

The responsibility of storm water management should not be assumed as the sole burden of your local government. After all, the consequences of out-of-control precipitation runoff deeply affects every property owner in the area. This is especially true in New Orleans, where devastation occurs whenever there is a storm. Storms hit frequently enough to dub New Orleans as the sinking city.

Why Storm Water Management is Important

 By definition, storm water can come from rain, melting snow, homeowners who water their yards or wash their cars and driveways. As it freely flows from rooftops, paved areas, bare soil and sloped lawns, it accumulates pollutants (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers, dry leaves, animal wastes), which are then unintentionally carried and collected in streams, wetlands, rivers and lakes. Consequently, it greatly affects the quality of the city’s water resource and therefore the overall quality of your household water. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2f2fQIJ

Civil Engineering Companies Reveal Top Modern Trends in the Construction Industry

Design innovation has been the main theme of the construction industry for a couple of years now with sustainable, data-driven and environmentally-friendly designs taking the lead. Civil engineering companies, in particular, have been busy trying to fulfill stringent design requirements set by both their clients and the local government where the construction is located. While facing these certainly pose challenges, this year proves to be one of the most exciting for civil engineers across the country with all the latest trends in the construction industry.

‘Green’ Is Still the Favorite Color of End-clients

 The influence of environmentally-conscious advocates has been spilling in every industry imaginable – from food manufacturing to newly developed buildings. Even old buildings that were up for renovation had gracefully accommodated the growing demand for green infrastructures or buildings that are either mostly made of sustainable materials or have the capacity to reduce the potential effects of natural disasters (e.g. stormwater management facility to reduce flooding during rainy season). Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2f2aVYr

Reasons Why Real Estate Business Owners Need the Help of Structural Engineering Firms

As one of the oldest forms of engineering, structural engineering is integral in keeping properties and infrastructure safe and secure. It involves the framework and design of structures for them to withstand any pressure or stress that could break them down. It’s the responsibility of the engineers to ensure safety, security and stability of a building.

Real estate properties, for one, need to be secure and stable at all times since people will be living or doing business there. That’s why when operating a property business, it’s important to seek the services of structural engineering firms. These experts can help you in different ways.

Renovations

Engineers are needed for home improvements that will modify the structure of a property. They provide the structural drawings and calculations that building contractors and architects use. They also make sure that materials comply with building regulations and policies so that the necessary permits can be obtained. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2f2Mw57

ENGINEERING FIRM DISCUSSES THE DIFFERENT STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES CITIES CAN BUILD

When it rains, the only risk most New Orleans residents worry about is that of flooding. As local officials and engineers know, however, a deluge isn’t the only issue worth preparing for.

Urban centers are blanketed with non-porous surfaces such as roads and parking lots. When it rains, the water does not readily get absorbed, and instead goes down the sewer systems. While New Orleans’ sewer systems are equipped to handle a sudden influx of water due to strong rains, they too have their limits. Should the rainwater—also called stormwater runoff—exceed the sewer system’s capacity, the dirty water can spill onto the streets and even into bodies of water such as the Mississippi River. When this happens, both humans and sea creatures may be exposed to dangerous pathogens and chemicals.

On the other hand, even a brief episode of rain can still cause problems, because the rainwater can also carry garbage and other wastes down the sewer system. If not properly stored and treated, this dirty water can leak and contaminate nearby bodies of water too.

Managing Stormwater Runoff

As you can see, ensuring the proper management of stormwater is crucial, especially in cities like New Orleans that regularly experience rains. The good news is that there are many infrastructures that help cities manage runoff effectively. Let’s take a look at some of the options. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2uZ1jEe

CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS HELP PREVENT FLOODING IN NEW ORLEANS

As a coastal city, New Orleans has a love-hate relationship with the Mississippi River. On the one hand, it plays a key role in food supply, commerce and transportation. On the other hand, living so close to the water means the ever-present threat of flooding.

Recently, New Orleans has been on high alert for the latter since the waters at the Carrollton gauge has risen to 16 feet in May—just one foot below the official flood stage. As a result, east bank levee authorities have put a temporary ban against digging, pile driving, and underground work within 1,500 feet of the levees. Such construction work may provide a pathway for the water in the river to push past the levees, which might lead to failure of the levees and therefore flooding in the city. If contractors and companies wish to undertake such work, they would need to secure a permit from flood protection authorities first.

Engineering at Work

While this restriction might delay crucial work from being completed, civil engineers agree that taking such precautions are a must if massive flooding is to be avoided. As you might know, the network of levees around the city represent one of the biggest engineering measures against the Mississippi River’s encroaching waters, and ensuring their structural integrity is a must. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2uq0FT6

Structural Engineering Services Lend a Hand in Protecting Local Wetlands

Infrastructure wasn’t the only sector that suffered when heavy rains and massive flooding relentlessly afflicted the Pelican State. Even the coastline and wetlands weren’t spared from rapid erosion and land loss. With this in mind, most of post-Katrina efforts had to make a shift. Authorities looked beyond restoring infrastructure and urban areas to also protecting the coasts and keeping the integrity of the land.

Identifying the Problem at Hand

The Louisiana coast stretches for up to 300 kilometers, and its wetlands cover up to 130 kilometers inland, covering a total area of over 3 million acres. According to the U.S. Geological Service (USGS), about 75 square kilometers of land are washed out and lost to the sea every year. Some identified natural causes are fluctuations in the sea level, changes in water salinity, movement of currents and more. Similarly, human activities like farming, construction and drainage digging have also contributed to the area’s degradation.

Within the past decade, state officials consulted with the USGS and with firms offering structural engineering services to examine possible ways of slowing down the irreversible soil erosion. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2vgBPSO

HOW STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING FIRMS HELP BUILDINGS AVOID AND RECOVER FROM EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

You may have heard that hundreds of earthquakes happen everyday. Most of them are so weak, however, that they pose no danger to your building. But every so often, a big one that can potentially destroy your property occurs.

The good news is that you have an ally against such calamities: structural engineers. Find out how they can be of service to you.

Constructing a Resilient Building

While you can’t predict when the next big one will hit, you can reinforce your building to withstand the seismic beating that an earthquake can dish out. And in this regard, structural engineers have a few considerations to look at before commencing work.

Perhaps the most important factor is the kind of materials used in a building. Generally speaking, engineers will use more flexible materials such as wood and steel as these are less likely to snap or break in the event of a quake. Hence, many buildings built along fault lines are made from these materials. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2uYxSlu

Flood Control and Green Infrastructure: The Mission of Civil Engineering Companies

In recent years, Louisiana has had its fair share of hurricanes and floods. The lessons learned from the aftermath of Katrina has paved the way for achievable stormwater management goals that both the public and private sectors can work on. How can flooding be solved, and are there sustainable ways of doing so? Such is decades-long the mission of local agencies in collaboration with engineers and private firms.

Implementing Stormwater Management Strategies

Indeed, the job is not just about getting water away from homes and urban areas, but in planning long-term solutions that are based on sustainable land use. The Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education published a paper on the best management practices for controlling stormwater and preventing floods.

As local authorities turn to civil engineering companies and other private firms, the primary objective is to lessen the movement of debris and sediments from stormwater on the land and to the existing groundwater supply. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2uGTwOj

CIVIL ENGINEERING FIRMS ARE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL ROAD CONSTRUCTION

A city is like a dynamic organism, changing and shifting its shape constantly. That’s why in cities like New Orleans, there’s always something new to discover, from new restaurants, to new art installations and other novel attractions. However, the infrastructure doesn’t always keep up with the ever-changing nature of the city. In fact, many of them stay the same over the years, falling behind the times—and often falling into disrepair. In particular, city streets are often the last to see upgrades, which can hinder transportation in an area as populations grow and more vehicles ply the roads. Luckily, New Orleans is investing heavily in upgrading the roadways in select areas of the city as part of the Capital Improvement Program, a $2.4 billion initiative.

Improving neighborhoods

One of the beneficiaries of this program is South Galvez Street in Central City. In particular, the Hoffman Triangle artery will be fully reconstructed, leading to smoother flow of traffic in the area. As part of this project, South Galvez Street will see a replacement of sewer, drainage and water lines, as well as the installation of a new absorbent concrete pavement. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2upUMoU

Civil Engineering Consultants Work Hand in Hand with the USACE to Serve the City

New Orleans was unprepared for the massive flooding that Hurricane Katrina unleashed in 2005. While the city already had an existing Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS), its pump stations and levees were unable to handle the onslaught of heavy flood. More than 80% of the city was submerged, and a huge portion of this were in residential areas.

Emergency relief and aid were immediately dispatched to NOLA, and thousands of families were relocated and brought to safety. However, even days after the disaster, the issue of effectively managing the flood waters loomed over everyone’s heads.

Task Force Guardian

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) launched Task Force Guardian in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Part of their mission is to get the HSDRRS up and running once more, to rid urban areas of damaging flood waters, and to restore NOLA’s infrastructures and make them more resilient against storm damage. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2rHcKSF

Structural Engineering Services Help New Orleans Gear up for a Better Future

While a city’s economy may seem progressive at first glance, such cannot be always be said about the status of its infrastructure. As in the case of New Orleans, a city that has had its share of disasters, majority of its road, water and electrical wire systems are already very old. In fact, the city has one of the most ancient sewerage systems in the country, having been around since the late 1890s.

Structural engineers recognize the need for upgrading, modernizing, and performing rework on large areas of New Orleans and beyond. It should be a constant effort on the part of federal authorities like the Sewerage and Water Board (S&WB) and private firms to plan and implement programs that will make the city more resilient in the face of natural calamities. These projects should keep urban areas and residential sectors flood-free.

Ongoing Developments for Pump Stations

Back in 2009, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the S&WB began massive planning to strengthen the many pump stations near Lake Pontchartrain. These major pumping stations are on Orleans Avenue, London Avenue, and 17th Street. Nearly $640 million has been allotted to build pump stations, fortify storm walls and keep the structures above sea level. Most importantly, these efforts include preparing the nearby power plants to generate enough juice to allow the stations to pump hundreds of thousands of gallons of water if need be. The USACE estimates that all stations will be fully operational in time for the 2017 hurricane season. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2sgIRWk

Ongoing Efforts for Road Work and Stormwater Management in New Orleans

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused flooding in 80% of New Orleans, covering an area of 90,000 square miles, and accumulating over $81 billion in damage to properties. In fact, it took several weeks and the collective efforts of all agencies involved to completely pump out over 250 billion gallons of water out of the city.

Indeed, water can be a major problem, especially in this flood-prone region. The locals are often on edge and anxious whenever hurricanes strike, as they don’t know how the city can handle the brunt of another disaster. Without stormwater management, massive amounts of water will settle into urban areas, making it impossible for residents to come back to their homes. Plus, excessive water brings forth a host of other major issues. Read more on this article. http://bit.ly/2rl4qHp

Civil Engineering Firms Breathe New Life into Severely Damaged Roads

When Hurricane Katrina submerged more than 80% of New Orleans underwater, it took days for the flooding to recede. Millions of gallons of water remained stagnant in residential areas, making streets virtually impassable and homes uninhabitable. For road work alone, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agreed to grant the city $2 billion in funding. As rehabilitation is a lengthy process that involves careful planning and implementation, local authorities wasted no time and decided to get the roads fixed.

How Bad Were the Roads?

Due to the massive floodings in recent years, the streets of New Orleans have become weaker and more brittle. Severe water damage along with poor drainage will lead to large road and sidewalk cracks and the dreaded potholes. According to reports, New Orleans’ post-Katrina road repair efforts cost 10 times more than in previous decades. During that time, over 40% of city roads were rated as very poor or in failing condition, and about 25% were poor. Disappointingly, a mere 14% of NOLA streets fared as excellent or good at the least.

With these devastating road conditions, authorities estimate spending around $350 million per year to make them drivable once more. In terms of time, such projects may take anywhere between 10 to 30 years, with additional costs for regular maintenance. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2rDW7Hu

Structural Engineering Firms Play Vital Roles in Housing Programs and Beyond

In 2013, the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) announced that it will be developing more than two dozen new homes in the Florida neighborhood. It can be recalled that in the aftermath of Katrina, residents in these areas had to be relocated. It was only years later that initiatives were done to restore this part of town so it can be livable again.

The project is worth an estimated $13 million, with sources from capital funds and FEMA provisions. With this, the city of New Orleans had called upon structural engineering firms to inspect the sites and facilitate the necessary planning and repairs. A bulk of the work involved demolishing poor structures, setting foundations for better units, as well as ensuring that water, gas and electrical lines are operational. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2pZRFy9

Civil Engineering Companies: Shaping the History of the New Orleans International Airport

The year 1960 brought to life a once humble Moisant Field and renamed it as New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Over the decades, this aviation hub had served as a portal for flights from the Pelican State to many South American countries. It was in 1990 that the New Orleans Aviation Board launched a Strategic Growth Plan (SGP), aimed at making MSY at par with global standards.

What Had Been Done

The Bureau of Governmental Research identified the continuing issues that the airport needed to address, even during the implementation of the SGP. During this decade, the airport is able to operate at the ideal capacity. But with the constant influx of flights towards the New Orleans area, there was a need for improving current structures and expanding facilities further.

The 8-year rehabilitation plan for the New Orleans International Airport needed the expertise of civil engineering companies to draft out plans for bigger cargo areas, more spacious runways, additional concourses, and more modernized arrival and departure terminals. From 1995 to 2003, private firms and civil aviation authorities worked together to breathe new life into this busy hub. It was in 2001 when the city proudly renamed this gem as the Louis Armstrong International Airport. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2sdi0dK