What civil engineers are reading this week

• In aftermath of LA fires, group asks: Why aren’t we building homes that don’t burn?

  “We can build back in a way which is more sustainable and resilient by using noncombustible building materials,” one expert says. What hurdles stand in the way of constructing homes of concrete?

• Civil engineer gets ensnared in fraud involving construction materials testing dishonesty

  Civil engineering professionals have a responsibility to balance service to clients or employers with their ethical responsibility. Here's what happened when a materials inspection was falsified.

• 120-ton fatberg removed from London’s Oxford sewer

  Multiple teams across Thames Water joined forces to tackle a 120-ton fatberg, stretching over 1 kilometer through an Oxford trunk sewer. The complex operation took two weeks to complete.

• Big lake in Quebec has completely disappeared, satellite finds

  The lake was drained completely in the spring of this year.

• 515-mile-long lightning bolt that spanned 5 states is the longest on record

  A lightning "megaflash" that zipped across five U.S. states has set a new record for the longest ever detected.

• ASCE’s Smith sets date for retirement after 11 years as executive director

  Tom Smith will step down at the end of 2025 after nearly 30 years at ASCE. Smith feels the time is right to transition to new leadership as the organization embarks on a series of strategic initiatives.