Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke

publications by Henry Petroski.


Papers Published

  1. Petroski, H., DESIGN AS OBVIATING FAILURE. (1987), pp. 49 - 53 .
    (last updated on 2007/04/09)

    Abstract:
    The systematic avoidance of failure is what characterizes rational design. Thus historical case studies of failures are full of important information for successful design, and the designer who is unfamiliar with the history of failures risks repeating old mistakes. Rather than being discussed merely in generalities in this paper, these ideas are explained in the context of the specific structural engineering example of bridges.

    Keywords:
    BRIDGES, SUSPENSION - Failure;ENGINEERING - Design;ENGINEERING EDUCATION;

 

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering | Pratt School of Engineering | Duke University
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