PEimpact Home2025-04-07T10:11:49-06:00
26October 2023

Lessons Learned: The 1999 Aggie Bonfire Collapse

By |October 26th, 2023|Categories: Friday Famous Failures|3 Comments

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.

16October 2023

The October Ethical Dilemma: Gift-Sharing of a Hotel Suite

By |October 16th, 2023|Categories: Ethical Dilemma|2 Comments

Engineer Bob is director of engineering with a large governmental agency that uses many engineering consultants. Engineer Alan is a principal in a large engineering firm that performs services for that agency.

2October 2023

Releasing Radioactive Water from Fukushima: An Engineering Perspective

By |October 2nd, 2023|Categories: Tuesday Tidbits|5 Comments

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.

28September 2023

Lessons Learned: The Denver International Airport Automated Baggage-Handling System

By |September 28th, 2023|Categories: Friday Famous Failures|8 Comments

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.