The Alexander Kielland Platform Sinking
On 27 March 1980, the offshore oil platform Alexander Kielland was, as a floating crew accommodation, supporting drilling operations by the Edda 2/C in the North Atlantic. There were 212 off-duty oil platform workers aboard that evening ...
The July Ethical Dilemma: Rebate Check
Engineer Tom is a principal in Superior Engineering, a firm that performs utility audits for large corporations. Tom's firm reviews the corporations’ activities, budget...
July Pop Quiz for Engineers
Will your score on this month's quiz set off fireworks? Here's the July 2021 Pop Quiz for Engineers. Are you smarter than an undergraduate?
Riddle Me This: Chair Design
How will the clever old man set his watch so that it tells the correct time at least twice a day?
Engineering Oddities: The Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has experienced many phases of construction and attempted remedies throughout its history. Its construction began in 1173 AD, and by the end of this initial phase, a tilt was already noticeable ...
The Piper Alpha Disaster
Located about 120 miles northeast of Aberdeen, Scotland, the Piper Oil Field was one of the first deepwater oil reservoirs to be exploited in the North Sea. The surprisingly productive oil field contributed significantly to the economy of the United Kingdom by ...