Henry petroski design paradigms case histories of error and judgment in engineering

Review

«This book is now on my list of required reading for all engineering students.» IEEE Spectrum

«…draws on examples from the 4th century BC onwards to identify common features in engineering failures, and offers guidance on how to avoid failure while encouraging innovation…extremely well documented and illustrated…can be read by all those interested in engineering, not just structural engineers.» New Scientist

«…nicely done and the case for using engineering history to comprehend the nature of design is well made…the general reader will be well served, especially because the case histories are so interesting and well presented in themselves…» Nature

«…Petroski makes the case for investigating classic and historical case studies rather than recent design failures, the analysis of which is often complicated by ongoing litigation and distortions or, even more critically, by court-imposed secrecy…provides a cogent argument for reintroducing engineering history…» Robert Mark, School of Architecture, Princeton University, Science

«…should be required reading for all engineering students and all practicing design professionals…» Journal of the Performance of Constructed Facilities

«…discusses several models to explain how errors are introduced in design and how designers can prevent similar mistakes from occurring. Case studies present historic and recent examples of engineering failures…» Civil Engineering

«…the anecdotal nature of the paradigms presented is intended to evoke associations with the real situations in which designers find themselves every day.» Mechanical Engineering

«…students of all branches of engineering can learn from the case studies presented. Not only engineering students but also practicing engineers will learn from the book.» Choice

«The intention of Petroski’s book is to present an incontrovertible paradigmatic argument for the value of case histories, ranging from the ancient to the modern, in illuminating and elucidating the causes and results of human error in the design process, mostly of structures. The further stories, including those about many well-known bridge failures, will prove fascinating and intelligible to the non-technical reader.» Times Higher Education Supplement

«Highly recommended.» ASME International

Book Description

Case histories of engineering success and failure are presented to enrich understanding of the design process.

«…draws on examples from the 4th century BC onwards to identify common features in engineering failures, and offers guidance on how to avoid failure while encouraging innovation…extremely well documented and illustrated…can be read by all those interested in engineering, not just structural engineers.» New Scientist

«…nicely done and the case for using engineering history to comprehend the nature of design is well made…the general reader will be well served, especially because the case histories are so interesting and well presented in themselves…» Nature

«…Petroski makes the case for investigating classic and historical case studies rather than recent design failures, the analysis of which is often complicated by ongoing litigation and distortions or, even more critically, by court-imposed secrecy…provides a cogent argument for reintroducing engineering history…» Robert Mark, School of Architecture, Princeton University, Science

«…should be required reading for all engineering students and all practicing design professionals…» Journal of the Performance of Constructed Facilities

«…discusses several models to explain how errors are introduced in design and how designers can prevent similar mistakes from occurring. Case studies present historic and recent examples of engineering failures…» Civil Engineering

«…the anecdotal nature of the paradigms presented is intended to evoke associations with the real situations in which designers find themselves every day.» Mechanical Engineering

«…students of all branches of engineering can learn from the case studies presented. Not only engineering students but also practicing engineers will learn from the book.» Choice

«The intention of Petroski’s book is to present an incontrovertible paradigmatic argument for the value of case histories, ranging from the ancient to the modern, in illuminating and elucidating the causes and results of human error in the design process, mostly of structures. The further stories, including those about many well-known bridge failures, will prove fascinating and intelligible to the non-technical reader.» Times Higher Education Supplement

«Highly recommended.» ASME International