Liquefaction
Would it shock you to see a building that has sunk 5 feet into the ground, or tilted by more than 20 degrees? Soil liquefaction has resulted in spectacular damage during earthquakes to buildings and other structures. Liquefaction hazard deserves attention and consideration for all construction.

Deep Foundations
Foundations fall into two general categories, shallow and deep. This article addresses two manufacturers’ concepts of deep foundations using steel helixes welded to steel pipe or solid bar shafts to be “screwed” into a soil substrate. The terms of “piles”, “screw piles”, and “helical anchors” may be used interchangeably.
Full size figures for Screw Piles

Ground Improvement
There are numerous ground improvement methods available, and selection of the best method depends on the properties of the soil at the site and other project specific factors. An overview of the most commonly used methods is presented with detailed discussion on methods that are being used more extensively today.

NCSEA News
News from the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations
• NCSEA Provides Input to ICC on Long Range Plans
• 12th Annual Conference

Structural Columns
The newsletter of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE
• SEI Election Announcement
• 2004 Award Winners
• ASCE Statement on Core Laboratory Functions at NIST
• Volunteers Sought to Assist NCEES - in December
• ASCE Continuing Education

CASE In Point
The newsletter of the Council of American Structural Engineers
• CASE Firms Win Engineering Awards
• SBA Proposal to Alter Size Standards Is a Major Concern

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On the cover... Photo courtesy of A.B. Chance, a Division of Hubbell Power Systems, Inc.