The Pros And Cons Of Structural Engineering

Engineers possess jobs that require the utmost care and responsibility. Structural engineers have the responsibility of making decisions that affect the structural integrity of buildings, bridges, dams, et cetera. Engineers daily make decisions that affect the outcome of projects. The construction industry revolves around money; consequently, employers sometimes request engineers to overlook a certain aspect of their project that breaks certain building or city codes. This situation forces an engineer to anger his employer and follow the engineering “Code of Ethics,” or to ignore the “Code of Ethics” and risk endangering the public and facing litigation. Engineers deal with problems every day; therefore, engineers have the responsibility to

For example, an engineer has to calculate the maximum load a concrete platform has the capability of supporting. This question possesses a calculable answer; thus, making this situation a factual issue. A conceptual matter has to do with the definition of a word. This situation normally arises when dealing with legal documentation. These issues normally require a lawyer to provide a professional definition. Lastly, a moral component involves the morality of an issue. Moral issues often times do not contain definite answers; these answers frequently require the opinion of a group of professionals, and they often disagree. (Basic Concepts and Methods in Engineering) Knowing the basic components to problems allows engineers to develop an answer to each part of the problem. Once the engineer has answered each component, the likelihood of them correctly solving the problem significantly increases. Without considering each part of the problem, it becomes increasingly likely that an engineer will miss an important aspect of the problem that affects his answer. Engineers ought to know the components to the problems they face because the decisions they make carry consequences that affect the public, and put them in danger of

Engineers face pressures from their employers to head projects that they do not possess the required certification to lead. Many aspects of civil engineering overlap into other fields of engineering; therefore, civil engineers possess some of the knowledge that an electrical engineer does. This overlap in knowledge frequently causes employers to ask civil engineers to head projects that require electrical engineers in order to save money. Cannon two of the “Code of Ethics” states, “Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.” (2006) Employers pressure engineers to perform tasks that they do not possess the legal certification to do, in order to save money. Although the engineer possesses the required knowledge to perform this task, the law requires the engineer to deny their employers request; therefore, the engineer has the responsibility to reject their employer request to protect themselves from litigation. Engineers also have the responsibility to perform their duties with honesty. According to the Royal Academy of Engineers, “Engineers are likely to work for the benefit of a number of different groups of people, and in many cases will have a duty to keep these people informed of relevant facts.” (2011, p.14) Engineers sometimes falsify information to save money. Tara Hoke of the American Society of Civil