SD 142 Solution
To engineer is human
The film "To engineer is human" showed many examples of mechanical failures such as bridges falling down. Henry Petroski, the narrator, presented his own theory of engineering design that explains engineering failure.
1x4pt a) Summarize Henry Petroski's theory of engineering design.
Early in the process of design engineers tend to overdesign (1). Pressures to improve the design reduces the margin of safety (1). Eventually engineers design beyond the safe region into failure (1). Following failure they correct to a safe design (1).
2x2pt b) Explain why Petroski's theory of mechanical failure is relevant for human systems engineers.
Petroski's theory of mechanical failure is analogous to when engineers design systems that exceed human performance limits (2). In the case of human systems, the human performance limit defines the margin of safety (2).
1x4pt c) Identify by name a case study that demonstrates Petroski's theory. Prove by describing the situation in the case study that it illustrates Petroski's theory.
Tigershark is the most obvious case to use (1). The technology of the F-20 (1) exceeded the limits of human physiology (1). The plane could pull g's that the pilot could not withstand, leading to g-induced hypoxia (1).