CIVIL ENGINEERING ESSAY The ethical and professional role of the engineer is to ensure that engineered goods and

services are technically accurate and correct rather than focusing on the impact that the products of engineering may have on the community and environment. Develop and argument and validate your opinion. Engineering has always been an interesting branch of science for people who have a passion towards innovation. They are responsible for many of the wonders of technology and building. Engineering can be applied in almost every walk of life. Engineers design things which are huge such as homes, bridges, trains, and many other structures from architecture and they are also capable of making things which are useful in day to day life like, computer, toaster, or any other electrical appliances in your home. With so many aspects of an occupation they also need to have a sense of ethics when dealing with construction of bigger building and establishments as they have the responsibility of peoples safety living in them. The most common example of an engineering marvel are the bridges, they are tricky as they involve the application of a lot of physics. Any bridge built on a river or sea connecting two sides of the landmasses is made by keeping hundreds of things in mind. The technicalities involve in the work of an engineer require the person to be learned and having a good grasp of his subject. Taking the example of a bridge the engineer needs to know about the physical environment of the area where he is constructing the bridge. The flow of winds matters a lot when planning to design a bridge, because at some elevation there is a tendency of high speed winds and if the area is cyclone or hurricane prone then a lot of attention is required to select the material and the model of bridge which can bear the effect of the winds and bad weather.

Based on the type of design and supporting structures the brides can be divided into mainly four types: a) The beam or Truss Bridge. b) An Arch Bridge. c) A Suspension Bridge. d) A Cantilever Bridge. The bridges are designed supporting the structure based on the environmental conditions and the amount of wear and tear it has to bear. The bridges in the areas of high wind speed should be given support from the bottom. Constructing pillars to support the bridge from the bottom gives stability to the structure and also it is considered safe for people travelling on it. It should be kept in mind that any bridge which is constructed on a long river or ocean should be provided with some solid substratum. The wind speed can cause considerable damage if the bridge is not supported from below. These are the structures that have to stay for hundreds of years and support huge traffics and load so they are planned accordingly. Another important aspect of bridge building is the material used. Material of highest quality and purity should be used in making structures which are used by a lot of people daily and has their safety at stake. There have been instances in the past in which bridges fall due to weakness in the structure or because of the inferior material used. Another step taken for the safety of people is to recognize and entries should be prohibited through a bridge which is very old or shows any signs of cracks and breakage. Since engineers have such important task of peoples safety there ethical duties are also abided by their job.

PERSONAL REFLECTION This has been a very interesting experience to write about this report. It made me understand the tiny nuances of a prestigious profession. The insight that I got to know from the point of view of an engineer are very enlightening to my thoughts. Every profession has obligations and sense of responsibility by which we have to abide. Engineers are making our lives easier by making every possible thing for increasing the level of our comforts. Through this work I came to know about the undertakings of what constitutes quality performance by the engineering professional (Isadore T. Davis).

References: Dahlbom B and Mathiassen L., 1997. The Future of Our Profession, Communications of the ACM. 40 (6), pp 80-89 Herkert J R., 2005. Ways of Thinking about and Teaching Ethical Problem Solving. Microethics and Macroethics in Engineering, Science and Engineering Ethics, 11, pp 373-385 Davis D C, 2005. Development and use of an Engineer Profile. American Society for Engineering Education, [online] Available at: <http://www.eerc.wsu.edu/documents/DevelopmentandUseofanEngineerProfile.pdf> [Accessed 20 August 2012]. Gotterbarn D, Miller K, Rogerson S, Software engineering code of ethics, Communications of the ACM. 90(11), pp 110-118 Davis D C, Beyerlein S W, 2006. Deriving Design Course Learning Outcomes from a Professional Profile, Int. J. Engng Ed, 22 (3), pp 439-446. Hashemian G and Loui M C, 2010. Can Instruction in Engineering Ethics Change Students Feelings About Professional Responsibility?, [online] Available at: <https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/loui/www/hashemian.pdf>[Accessed 20 August 2012]. Harris C E, 2008. The Good Engineer: Giving Virtue its Due in Engineering Ethics, Sci Eng Ethics, 14, pp 153164 Passino K M, 1998. Teaching Professional and Ethical Aspects of Electrical Engineering to a Large Class. IEEE transactions on education, 41 (4), pp 273-281 Davis M, 1991. Thinking Like an Engineer: The Place of a Code of Ethics in the Practice of a Profession. Philosophy and Public Affairs, 20 (2), pp. 150-167

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