May 2026 Pop Quiz for Engineers
Spice up your brain this Cinco de Mayo with this month's Pop Quiz for Engineers that brings the fiesta to engineering fundamentals. No margarita required—just sharp thinking and a taste for learning.
How the U.S. Finally Recognized Engineering as an Academic Discipline
Engineering shaped the early United States long before universities recognized it as an academic discipline. This article explores how practical problem-solving evolved into formal education, and how the Morrill Act and growing infrastructure demands finally pushed institutions to legitimize engineering.
The Skyline Plaza Collapse (1973): When Construction Sequence Becomes Structural Failure
The 1973 Skyline Plaza collapse is a defining case study in construction-stage failure, where premature shoring removal, insufficient concrete strength, and sequencing errors led to a progressive collapse. This article examines the root causes and key lessons for professional engineers.
The April Ethical Dilemma: Conflict of Interest as an Expert Witness
Was it ethical for Engineer Greg to be retained as an expert witness for the contractor under these circumstances?
April 2026 Pop Quiz for Engineers
This Earth Day, put your engineering brain to the test with this month's Pop Quiz for Engineers—no hard hat required, just a little green thinking.
Rudolf Diesel and the Engine That Redefined Efficiency
Rudolf Diesel revolutionized mechanical engineering by developing a high-efficiency engine based on compression ignition. His work, rooted in thermodynamic principles, transformed global transportation and power systems. This article explores the engineering behind the diesel engine and its lasting impact.
Engineering Lessons from the 1987 Schoharie Creek Bridge Failure
The 1987 Schoharie Creek Bridge failure was not caused by material failure or structural overload. It resulted from foundation loss driven by hydraulic scour—a mechanism that was not fully appreciated at the time of design
The March Ethical Dilemma: Request for Specification
Would it be a conflict of interest and therefore unethical for Engineer Alice to prepare a set of specifications for an air compression system and then have her company manufacture the air compression system under the facts?
March 2026 Pop Quiz for Engineers
This St. Patrick’s Day, test your luck with this month's Pop Quiz for Engineers. Will you be the lucky engineer to top the charts?
The Alaska Highway
The Alaska Highway was not a failure, nor was it a disaster. It was an extraordinary engineering response to extraordinary circumstances. Built rapidly under wartime pressure, it achieved its strategic objective while revealing the limits of contemporary construction knowledge.