Engineering Innovation and Ethics, Research Assignment
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Added on 2021-01-01
Engineering Innovation and Ethics, Research Assignment
Added on 2021-01-01
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Engineering Innovation andEthics, Research
TABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1Background information .................................................................................................................1Role of engineering innovations in managing destructive disasters ...............................................2Ethical considerations......................................................................................................................3Challenges for Australia to address the disasters like Hurricane Katrina .......................................5Future recommendations .................................................................................................................5CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................7
INTRODUCTIONHurricane Katrina was a deadly cyclone which created huge destruction in Lousiana andFlorida. The significant impact of this natural disaster was observed in New Orleans ofLouisiana. As compare to other natural disaster the event is considered as the output of fatalengineering defects in flood protection systems known as levees or dike. The disaster causedthousands of deaths, subsequent floods and significant climatic changes. It leads to the need ofredefining engineering roles and responsibilities in managing and preventing such situations(Cooper, Briggs & Bagshaw, 2018). The report will analyse the engineering framework andinnovations which are can be used within Australia to address the probable issue. It will discussthe ethical considerations and aspects which must be integrated and followed in management ofsuch tragedies. Background information As compare to inland regions, coastal regions are more vulnerable to tropical cyclone.One of the such devastating and the strongest cyclone was Hurricane Katrina which occurred in2005 in United States. The engineering flaws are considered to be the key factor for such terrificoutcomes in the form of 1836 deaths in only Louisiana along with the loss of property worthbillion dollars. The levees which were designed in New Orleans were for managing cyclones ofcategory 3. Though Hurricane Katrina was category 5 cyclone but the broken condition and poorengineering design enhances the severity of disaster (Morris & et.al., 2016). Hurricanes arecapable to rise the sea level around them which is known as storm surge. This type of hurricanerelated deaths are most dangerous and is vulnerable in the coastal regions (Hurricanes andClimate Change, 2019). Though Hurricane Katrina affected areas had protection walls called levees butcombination of storm surge with huge waves leads to the flood. It has been observed thatintensity of Hurricanes is measured by number of storms every year and these numbers is rapidlyincreasing due to human induced climate changes (Sylves, 2019). The continuous warming ofoceans is contributing to enhance the occurrence of category 4 and 5 hurricanes. The temperature imbalance due to climate change causes powerful winds and heavyrainfall, sea level increment and global warming which are major factors in making thehurricanes severe. The coastal areas of Australia have undergone significant climate changes(Climate change impacts in Australia, 2019). Thus, it is required that the region must focus on1
engineering and climate aspects so that it can implement suitable management strategy forhurricanes. Around 16% of worlds tropical cyclone occurs in Australia. The climate changes which are major concern for Australia as well as other parts of theworld are responsible for more heat dissipation and heavy rainfalls. Apart from these factorsmany constructional engineers opposed such high development plans near coastal areas whichare prone to regular tropical cyclones (Adeola & Picou, 2017). However, their advice wasconsidered and when Hurricane Katrina approached it destroyed all such constructions andbuildings. It was also observed that the engineering designs and construction of the flood-wallsin the affected area was not appropriate. The surge exposure to engineering faults caused extensive flood throughout the NewOrleans due to Hurricane Katrina. Apart from the ethical concepts in finalising design andconstructional errors there were several factors which leads to the destruction. These factorsinclude poor infrastructure of flood protection structure, absence of flood gates on canals,ineffective pumping stations and inaccurate analysis of natural system (Lewis & et.al., 2017).Thus, it is very essential that engineering structures must be designed with care and ethics mustbe included so that climate change and other natural disasters can be analysed and their timelyassessment can reduce the losses. Role of engineering innovations in managing destructive disasters The timely analysis of the flood-walls and negligence to the warnings from engineeringfailure resulted in Hurricane Katrina. In order to prevent the coastal and other regions fromfuture impacts and prevalence of tropical cyclones engineers must improve their code of conductso that they can bring innovation in their practices. It has been analysed that full scale load test ofprincipal drainage system is important. The regular analysis of such tests can help engineers todetect the faults in flood management system on time. The state government of New Orleanspaid more attention to budget aspects and thus depth of wall was not constructed as perrequirements. Thus, it is the responsibility of the engineers to assure that their designing aspects are notonly focused on financial aspect instead safety and effectiveness must be the first priority of thedesigns (Katina, 2016). The government of Australia must monitor the drainage system,pumping stations and flood gates regularly and their effectiveness must be tested regularly sothat such constructional loopholes can be determined on time. The engineering innovations must2
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