TO ENGINEER IS HUMAN : The Role of
Failure to Successful Design.
By
Henry Petroski.
New York, U..S..A.: by Vintage Books, 1992. 227 pages
by
Rolando L. Estomaguio
Submitted for partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of
Bachelor of Science in Professional Engineering
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
1997
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Thesis Statement:
Delivering a safe, better and cost-effective structure and product
remain the greatest challenge of engineering. The unforeseen
imperfections and flaws in the design sometimes lead to a great
failure and cause a catasthropic disaster. However, because of these
failures we gain more knowledge and understanding towards every
aspect of engineering and enable us to reconcile the innovation with
the success.
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OUTLINE:
I. Main Information
A. Title of the book - To Engineer is Human: The role of
failure to successful design.
B. Author of the book - Henry Petroski
C. Other information - Published in New York, U.S.A.
bhy Vitage Books, 1992
II. Parts of the Book
A. Cover Page
B. Praises for the Author
C. Picture of the Author
D. Title Page
E. Acknowledgments
1. Dedication
2. Edition
3. Copyright
4. Authors & Publications
5. Illustration credits
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6. Publication data
F. Table of Contents
G. Lists of Illustrations
H. Preface
I. Case Titles
1. Being Human
2. Falling Down is Part of Growing Up
3. Lessons from Play; Lessons from Life
4. Engineering as Hypothesis
5. Design is Getting From Here to There
6. Design as Revision
7. Accidents Waiting to Happen
8. Safety in Numbers
9. When Cracks become Breakthroughs
10. Of Bus Frames and Knife Blades
11. Interlude: The Success Story of the Crystal
Palace
12. The Ups and Downs of Bridges
13. Forensic Engineering and Engineering Fiction
14. From Slide Rule to Computer: Forgetting How
It Used To be Done
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15. Connoisseurs of Chaos
16. The Limits of Design
J. Afterword
K. Bibliography
L. Index
IV. The Body
1. A brief note on the author:
Henry Petroski is Professor of Civil Engineering at Duke
University. He is engage in engineering research and interdisciplinary
programs of School of Engineering in Trinity College of Arts and
Sciences and in the Program in Science, Technology, and Human
Values. He is also the author of the books Beyond Engineering, The
Pencil and The evolution of Useful Things
2. Scope of the Book.
3. Critical Issues:
The Hyatt Regency Hotel Skywalks Tragedy.
The tragedy of the Hyatt Regency Hotel Skywalks
might have been prevented if careful and thorough
inspection of the design is carried-out. The author clearly
states the main factors that attributed to the cause of
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failure. The deviation from the original design, utilizing
weak materials, and negligence by the concerned person
summarized the caused of the tragedy. As the author
mentioned, there were several signs of weaknesses on the
structure which signals that a potential disaster is waiting
to happen. The author message is clear. Follow and
comply to strict engineering principle.
The American Airlines DC-10 Passenger Aircraft
This is an example of failure due to weak points,
human factor and unsatisfactory procedure. The author of
the book described how we can prevent a series of
tragedy from happening. He shows that weak points can
be introduce even on a well-planned project such as a
passenger aircraft. It is known that passenger aircraft such
as the DC-10 needs to pass a series of rigorous test and
long flying hours in order to receive the airworthiness
certification.. The author message and stand are clear,
every design needs careful review and immediate action
must be carried out to prevent a series of mishap since
similar defect can occur on the same structure.
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Failure of some of the keys of Texas Instrument Speak &
Spell toy
On this issue, the author shows how the fatigue
phenomenon applies to almost everything. His careful
investigation on the cause of failure of some of the
Speak and Spell keyboard keys prove that any moving
parts subjected to a constant movement will gradually
suffer from fatigue failure. The authors however depend
the toy by stressing the design limitation of the mass
produce product compare to the one being built that
does not require for any modification or further
development. However, he criticized the shortcomings
of the engineering consideration being applied to the
product that will make it more reliable.
4. Point of View.
The author’s point of view is largely base on his research,
experience and professional background; while the focus of interest
is in the field of mechanical and civil engineering.
5. Use of Evidence.
A. Primary Evidence
B. Monographs
6. Presentation.
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The book To Engineer is Human is written in a way that
the reader can easily absorb the message of the story. The
Author uses a language that a secondary student or non technical
person can easily understand. Though, from time to time, he uses
a word which is not common to ordinary person but it gives the
benefit of additional vocabulary to everybody by referring to a
dictionary. The clarity of explanations of each subject are well
detailed and consistently readable.
7. Interpretative Questions.
8. Add any references, a summary of key concepts, and a glossary.
A. American Society of Civil Engineers
B. British Institutions of Civil Engineers and of Structural
Engineers
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Glossary
