Ethical Analysis of Big Dig Collapse: Engineering Ethics Case Study

This presentation analyzes the ethical failures associated with the Big Dig collapse, a major construction project in Boston. The core of the presentation revolves around the importance of ethics in engineering projects, highlighting how a lack of ethical considerations can lead to significant project failures, as evidenced by the Big Dig. The presentation emphasizes the need for a robust monitoring authority to oversee all ethical aspects of a construction project at every stage. This authority would be responsible for regular reporting to higher management, ensuring that potential ethical issues are identified and addressed proactively. The presentation references several sources, including reports from the National Transport Safety Board and Design News, to support its analysis of the causes of the Big Dig collapse and its ethical implications. The goal is to underscore the critical role of ethical practices in preventing construction failures and maintaining project integrity.

Ethical Case Study Presentation
“BIG DIG” COLLAPSE

Engineering Ethics
Aim: The Aim of this presentation is to analyse the importance of ethics in any engineering
project.
Problem statement: The engineering projects are facing many kinds of ethical challenges. Since
ethics is a major aspect in any construction project. If not addressed properly, it might lead to
huge construction failures.
Solution: There must be a monitoring authority that must be checking all the ethical aspects
related to the construction project at every level of the project completion. The reporting must
be done to the higher authorities from time to time.

REFERENCES
• Wald, M.L. (2007) Collapse of Big Dig Ceiling in Boston Is Tied to Glue. Online. Available at:
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/11/us/11bigdig.html. [Accessed on 5th October 2018].
• Design News, (2007) Boston's Big Dig: Materials Failure Led to Tunnel Collapse. Online.
Available at: https://
www.designnews.com/materials-assembly/bostons-big-dig-materials-failure-led-tunnel-collaps
e/160407005751099
. [Accessed on 5th October 2018].
• National Transport Safety Board, (2007) Safety Board Determines Cause of Boston's Big Dig
Tunnel Ceiling Collapse Last Year. Online. Available at: https://
www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/Safety_Board_Determines_Cause_of_Bostons_Big_
Dig_Tunnel_Ceiling_Collapse_Last_Year.aspx
. [Accessed on 5th October 2018].
• Design News, (2007) Boston’s Big Dig Materials Failure: It’s Got Engineers Talking. Online.
Available at: https://www.designnews.com/materials-assembly/boston-s-big-dig-materials-
failure-it-s-got-engineers-talking/207191321351380. [Accessed on 5th October 2018].
• American City & Country, (2007) Report reveals cause of Big Dig tunnel collapse. Online.
Available at: http
://www.americancityandcounty.com/2007/07/27/report-reveals-cause-of-big-dig-tunnel-collap
se
/. [Accessed on 5th October 2018].

THANK YOU