Some of the following documents require the installation of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Technical Program

Download the final technical program (PDF- 916KB)

18 special interest tracks designed especially to help you in Building a Better World

Aerospace
Build a better future – in space as well as here on Earth! The Aerospace Track offers two sessions. Get an update on the exploration of Mars; planning, construction, and operation of the International Space Station; and commercialization of space. The second session will include a presentation on the future of humans on the Moon, as well as talks on soil mechanics in extraterrestrial environments and new materials and construction technology for space applications.
|Top|

CERF Future Issues Re Issues & Innovations
CERF (Civil Engineering Research Foundation) is a global not-for profit organization created by ASCE to focus on constructing an efficient and renewable future. Toward that goal, this track offers sessions on changing the way we do business globally, changing our approach to design and construction, understanding new security-related legal and financial implications, and charting the technological future of the construction industry.
|Top|

Coastal
Our Coastal session features presentations on what you need to know about Coastal Engineering, whether you’re a coastal engineer or not.
|Top|

Computing & Information Technology
Be on hand as a panel of international experts discusses the role of information technology in globalization of the AEC market and global construction practices. Learn how IT has improved design and construction of the US infrastructure and take part in a discussion of what computing skills should be taught in Civil Engineering programs.
|Top|

Construction
Take part in sessions on innovative construction technologies and alternative contracting methods. Find out how contractors were selected for renovations at the Pentagon. Learn about construction management practices being used in the expansion of Dulles International Airport and on construction of the new Wilson Bridge. Sessions will also cover construction issues on unique projects, such as the new Springfield, VA, highway interchanges, the expansions of JFK and Newark international airports, and creation of a new Visitors’ Center below the East plaza adjacent to the Capitol.
|Top|

Disaster Reduction
The focus in this track is on mitigating the effects of disasters such as earthquakes and windstorms. Civil Engineers from the US and Japan will offer a workshop on super advanced technologies for dealing with the next seismic event. Learn about innovative research from the NSF Earthquake Engineering Research Center and hear the latest from FEMA about its hazard mitigation grant program. Find out about emerging urban hazard mitigation programs and tools. Join the search for answers to property insurance issues involving, for example, hurricane losses.
|Top|

Education
Is the education of future Civil Engineers and CE Technologists important to you? How should the Civil Engineering curriculum be revised to meet the challenges facing the profession? What should be the future academic requirements for the practice of Civil Engineering? What is “good teaching”? How can/should practitioners get involved in education? Who is responsible for training our next generation? Answers to these and other questions about Civil Engineering and Civil Engineering Technology education will be discussed in this track.
|Top|

Environmental & Water Resources
This track takes a look back at the history of water resources planning. Presentations cover the evolution of the institutional structure, a look at social and environmental objectives, development of a national perspective on water quality and public health, and the evolution of hydraulic analysis and engineering design of water resources systems. A second session examines the many benefits of using computers to analyze water data.
|Top|

Forensics
Learn about past mishaps, their causes, and methods of prevention. Review the history of this tradition in the engineering profession, and hear three lectures on ethics issues in Forensics. Take part in a session on how management maintenance programs can reduce potential failures in historic facilities. There is also a session on diagnosing, repairing, and protecting parking structures.
|Top|

Geotechnical
Get the low-down on the reconstruction of one of the busiest stretches of highway in the US – the I-95 Woodrow Wilson Bridge linking Maryland and Virginia. Study the foundations of national monuments and the history of below-ground construction. One session will examine the role of geotechnical engineering in averting natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Another tackles the special challenges urban environments present for geotechnical engineers. In addition, the geotechnical track will offer tutorials in Load & Resistance Factor Design concepts, implementation, current projects, and future plans for codes.
|Top|

Global
Explore theories and practices for achieving sustainable water supplies in some of America’s largest cities. Learn about professional licensing in the European Union, and the World Trade Organization’s drive for reciprocity. Take a centennial look at the Bureau of Reclamation’s Civil Engineering history, including a look at the evolution of concrete dams and the bureau’s hydroelectric power program. Sit in on a panel discussion on how international companies are affected by recent advances in information technology.
|Top|

Government Relations & Communications
Discover the many benefits of interacting with policy leaders and the public. A panel of Civil Engineers will share their experiences gained from public service as Congressional Fellows, and appointed and elected officials. Explore the Civil Engineer’s role in communicating with the public in crisis situations and learn from a panel of media professionals how Civil Engineers can be good information sources. Learn about ASCE’s “Back Home Visits” program and participate by meeting with your legislators back home. Finally, hear from policy leaders about the reauthorization of the nation’s surface transportation program, the major legislative challenge for Civil Engineers in 2003.
|Top|

History & Heritage
In this 150th Anniversary year, the History & Heritage track examines the birth of American Civil Engineering, the founding of ASCE, and the life of Benjamin Wright, the father of Civil Engineering in the United States. It traces the development of America’s canals, railroads, and National Highway in the 19th Century, and takes a look at great achievements in Civil Engineering. Participants will examine case studies of preservation efforts on the Golden Gate Bridge, the US Capitol, and the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, and learn about America’s historic water supply systems.
|Top|

Materials
What’s new in the use of Fiber Reinforced Polymers? The Materials track examines ACI code activity on the use of FRP for construction with concrete, as well as the research and development of FRP composite for bridge infrastructure. An entire session is set aside for examining innovative materials for bridges. Another evaluates superpave materials and looks at construction of bituminous pavements using superpave in the Washington DC area.
|Top|

Professional Practice
Professional skills involve more than just technical engineering knowledge. Presented in a new format, the Professional Practice Issues SuperTrack will be keynoted in a mini-plenary featuring a presentation on “The Changing Role of the Civil Engineer in Society” followed by a blue ribbon panel dissecting and discussing the issues raised. Is Civil Engineering becoming a commodity instead of a profession? What’s happened to traditional concepts about professionalism? What does the future hold? And how can we create the future we want for our profession? Wrapped around the plenary session are 18 additional sessions focused on personal and professional development and practice issues, such as management, leadership, communications, diversity, ethics, career management, human resources, employment practices, peer review, partnering, negotiating, and licensure, to help you improve your skills and knowledge in these crucial areas.
|Top|

Structures
Since 1901, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly the Bureau of Standards) has been working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards. Hear an overview of its major accomplishments and future plans. Listen and take part in a discussion on research needs for effective building code provisions from a materials perspective. One session will cover the past, present, and future of reliability-based structural engineering around the world. Current and future applications of steel-concrete composite structures will be covered in a question and-answer session. A separate session will discuss the role of structural steel in major US building projects. Another tackles the issue of whether structural engineers should be licensed separately, as they are now in 11 states.
|Top|

Sustainable Development
Using case studies, industry leaders will offer insights into how suppliers, designers, and contractors can gain market advantage through leadership in sustainable engineering practices. Learn how the federal government and its contracting agencies are implementing sustainable planning, design, construction, and operations, with a special look at “green” value engineering at Zion National Park. Panelists from Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech will describe how sustainability and sustainable development are being taught in their Civil Engineering programs. The Sustainable Materials session explores use of recycled materials in highway construction, sustainable architecture in stone, and blended cement as a climate change strategy.
|Top|

Transportation
The Transportation track examines highway safety issues of the past, present, and future. It also covers the topic of accommodating pedestrians with walkways and offers ideas on making bicycling a safer, more integral part of the commuting experience. A panel discusses smart growth by examining infill development in Denver, while another looks at the role of transportation in sustainable development. Hear about the East River rail bridge crossing project.
|Top|