The May Ethical Dilemma: Nominal Political Contributions
Jack is requested to make a $5,000 political contribution, the maximum amount allowed by law, to help pay the cost of the media campaign of the county board chairman.
The April Ethical Dilemma: Is a Complimentary Seminar Considered a Gift?
Andy agreed to accept items of substantial value (e.g., travel expenses, multi-day program, resort location, etc.) our conclusion would have been quite different.
The March Ethical Dilemma: Hire Project Representative or Quit?
Daniel should have insisted that the client hire the on-site project representative or refuse to continue to work on the project. While this might appear to be a harsh result.
Lessons Learned: The Collapse of World Trade Center Building 7 (WTC)
Unlike the Twin Towers, WTC 7 was not directly hit by an airplane, yet it collapsed completely, making it the first known instance of a tall building brought down primarily by uncontrolled fires. This article aims to explore the structural causes behind the collapse of WTC 7 from an engineering perspective.
What is MHD?
Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) – a specialized field marrying fluid dynamics and magnetism – delves into the behavior of electrically conducting fluids, such as saltwater or plasma, under the influence of magnetic fields. Beyond its intriguing theoretical constructs, one of its most promising applications lies in water propulsion.
BP Refinery Explosion
The vapor cloud found an ignition source - most likely a running vehicle or a spark from a nearby contractor's trailer - and ignited. The resulting explosion was equivalent to approximately 1,000 to 2,000 kilograms of TNT, and it was felt up to five miles away.
The Rise and Fall of the Airbus A380: A Lesson for Professional Engineers
The A380 was designed to be a game-changer in the aviation industry. Boasting a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet configuration, it had a typical seating capacity of 555 passengers in a three-class configuration and could transport over 800 passengers in a denser configuration. The goal? Address the problem of congested airports and airspace by carrying more passengers per flight.
Lessons Learned: The 1999 Aggie Bonfire Collapse
The Aggie Bonfire was more than a mere bonfire; it was a towering structure of log stacks reaching nearly sixty feet high, an emblem of Aggie spirit and camaraderie. The collapse, which occurred during construction, was a shocking tragedy that deeply affected the University and the broader community.
Releasing Radioactive Water from Fukushima: An Engineering Perspective
In 2023, Japan made the monumental move to begin releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster into the ocean. The decision was mired in controversy, met with both support and opposition from international bodies, neighboring countries, and environmental groups.
Lessons Learned: The Denver International Airport Automated Baggage-Handling System
The Denver International Airport (DIA) is renowned for its iconic tent-like structure, but it is also infamous in engineering and project management circles for its ambitious yet flawed automated baggage-handling system. This system, which was intended to revolutionize the airport industry, instead became a case study in the pitfalls of over-ambitious engineering and poor project management.