Findings From Workshops On Failure Case Studies In The Civil Engineering And Engineering Mechanics Curriculum

Abstract

The study of engineering failures can offer students valuable insights into associated technical, ethical, and professional issues. Lessons learned from failures have substantially affected civil engineering practice. For the student, study of these cases can help place design and analysis procedures into historical context and reinforce the necessity of life-long learning. Three approaches for bringing forensics and failure case studies into the civil engineering curriculum are possible. These are stand-alone forensic engineering or failure case study courses, capstone design projects, and integration of case studies into the curriculum. The ASCE TCFE Education Committee held four annual one-day workshops in Birmingham, Alabama and in Cleveland, Ohio for a total of approximately 75 engineering educators. The participants estimated that over 135 courses and nearly 4,000 students would be affected by the project per year. The participant workbook had case studies in engineering mechanics, structural engineering, other civil engineering courses, ethics/professional issues/capstone design courses, and forensic engineering/failure analysis courses. Presentations for classroom use were provided on a CD. The materials have also been disseminated on a web site. This paper also reviews how the use of case studies can help programs meet ABET accreditation requirements.