Abstract
Engineering ethics is the set of moral principles and ethics pertaining to engineering which is to be followed at both individual and organisational level [1].
Introduction
Engineering ethics can also be described as a study of moral values, policies, individuals’ character and the way of reaching a goal by an individual or an organisation[1]. The Quebec bridge disaster
Emergence of Engineering As A Profession
Engineering became popular and it emerged as a popular and wanted profession in the 19 century. Engineers were too independent and the industries employing them found it hard to have a control of them[1].
The beginning of 20th century saw a series of failures in engineering constructions. These highlighted the shortcomings in the engineering practices and ethics[1].
This brought concerns in the ethics and philosophies that the engineers follow[1]. This gave rise to many profound engineering societies like the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) , the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Institute of Mining Engineers (AIME) to name a few[1].
The Role of Engineering Societies
These engineering societies developed codes for maintaining the standards and ethics. The engineering failures raised concerns about the public safety[1]. Hence while building a structure for the benefit of the public; it was subjected to meeting stringent testing and code of work[1].
Few countries also made some policies to license the engineers[1]. The Canadian nation required the people working in the fields of engineering that can potentially harm one’s life to be licensed[1].
Whereas, the American model required licensing of only those engineers who practise individually[1].
Although these professional societies made steps to impose uniform codes and ethics for the engineering practises, there were un-uniformities in the code followed by the professionals in their practise[1].
The Case of Quebec Bridge Disaster
Lets us now consider the case of the Quebec bridge disaster which happened in the year 1907. To get started, Quebec Bridge is a bridge across Saint Lawrence River to the west of Quebec City, Canada[1].
It is a road, rail and pedestrian bridge. The project failed twice costing 88 lives and taking 30 years to complete[1].
The First Disaster
The bridge stands at 987m long, 29m wide and 104m high and is of riveted steel truss tyoe. Cantilever arms which spans up to 117m and support a 195m central structure and the total span is 549m. Quebec Bridge was the longest bridge in the world until the ambassador bridge was completed in 1929[1].
The Quebec bridge company was incorporated by the parliament in the year 1887 and Edward A. Hoare was selected as the chief engineer for the company. Hoare had never worked on a cantilever bridge structure that spun longest than 300 feet.
The bridge was taking shape, however the preliminary calculations made in the planning stages were never checked properly. The dead load of the bridge far outweighed the carrying capacity.
McLure became concerned and wrote repeatedly to the consulting engineer Theodore cooper. But cooper replied that the problems were minor[1].
But later cooper realised that the problems were really serious and telegraphed the bridge company that no more load is to be added to the bridge until detailed calculations of the data is done.
But it was too late before the message got delivered. After nearly four years of construction, the south arm and a portion of the middle region of the bridge collapsed into the St. Lawrence River[1].
There were a total of 86 workers working at that time and 75 were killed and the remaining was injured in this incident. This made the accident one of the world’s worst bridge disaster[1].
The Enquiry Commission
A commission for enquiry was formed and investigations began. The commission after detailed enquiry found that two men were responsible for this disaster, consulting engineer Theodore cooper and chief designing engineer Peter L. Szlapka.
Szlapka was blamed for the design of chords which had been failed. And cooper was made responsible for approving the Szlapka’s design.
The Second Collapse
After the commission’s investigation and reporting, construction began for a second bridge. Three engineers were appointed: H. E. Vautelet, who was a former engineer for the Canadian Pacific Railways, Maurice FitzMaurice who worked on the construction of the Forth Bridge in Britan, and Ralph Modjeski from Chicago. Vautelet was made as the President and Chief Engineer[1].
A single long cantilever beam was still the design for the bridge and the span was massive this time. On September 11, 1916, another massive accident took place when the central span was raised into position. The central span fell into the river and 13 workers were dead[1].
Although some feared that the Germans were behind the tragic accident, it soon got clear that it was another construction accident. The problem this time was with the hoisting devices[1].
The reconstruction began soon after this collapse and the bridge was completed in the year 1919.
The bridge was completed at the cost of 25 million American dollars at that time and 89 workers lives. The rail traffic was opened on December 3, 1919 after nearly two decades of construction. The central span of the new design stands at 549 meters and remains as the longest cantilevered bridge span in the whole world[2].
Although no such tragic accidents after the opening, the aftermath of the disaster still remains[2]. The disaster that occurred in the bridge highlights the importance of following some standards in the engineering practice and the adversaries of not following them[2].
Engineering Organisations
Around 1925, organizations of professional engineers were formed and they devised some guidelines[2].
The general guidelines included that the engineer must conduct and pass an ethical examination. He should also show good character through character witness and shoud have a decent experience in the profession[2].
Most of the professions have their own code of ethics and standards of practices. These rules and guidelines are subjected to revisions more than once.
The reason for having such complex and unique codes for this profession lies in the diversities of Engineering and its practices. While some engineers are individual practitioners, some are a part of large organisations and some serve as managers. While some of the above categories are monitored, some are bosses by themselves. This raises a concern in maintaining the quality of work they do in their work. This makes engineers a diverse and complex work force[2].
The code of ethics becomes necessary whien an occupation gradually turns itself into a profession. And engineering is perfect personification for this condition and this explains why engineers have a wide set of ethics and standards in their profession.
Just like law and medicine having a code of ethics, engineering which is a profession should naturally have a code of ethics. For instance, the American bar association (ABA) adopted its first code of ethics in 1908. The engineers that are ought to follow the above rules should certainly not ignore the guidelines developed by the ABA[2].
Conclusion
Hence the code of ethics is something an organization or a group to recognise them as professional[2]. The code describes itself what the society expects from the professionals commanding high prestige. Thus, code of ethics is a way of imposing self limitations and regularisations to win over the society[2].
Works Cited
[1] C. Harris, M. Davis, M. Pritchard and M. Rabins, 'Engineering ethics: what? why? how? and when?', Journal of Engineering Education, vol 85, iss 2, pp. 93--96, 1996.
[2] J. Schaub, K. Pavlovic and M. Morris, 'Engineering professionalism and ethics', 1983.
