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The Engineering Way of Thinking: Uncertainty and the Future

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Monday, February 20, 2023, 3 pm

This is a past event.

Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar

William Bulleit, Professor Emeritus, Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering, Michigan Tech

Abstract:

Engineering can be thought of more generally as the Engineering Way of Thinking, a way to more broadly think of design such that it becomes apparent that engineering is applicable to more than just technological systems. The basis for engineering thinking is the need to make decisions under uncertainty, but those decisions can lead to failures. The type of system under consideration and its inherent level of uncertainty affects the approach used in making design decisions due to the types of possible failures. These design approaches are referred to as heuristics, and the types of heuristics available to making decisions become less available as we begin to consider complex systems such as socio-technical systems and climate systems. The future of humanity depends on making appropriate decisions under conditions of significant uncertainty.

Bio:

William M. Bulleit is an emeritus professor of structural engineering in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering at Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Prior to going to Michigan Tech, he designed submersibles in Florida and bridges in Washington. His major research area for many years was structural reliability. This research led him to consider the more philosophical aspects of making decisions under uncertainty. He was one of the original members of the ASCE/SEI Engineering Philosophy Committee and is its most recent past chair. He has written about how different levels of uncertainty affect the way decisions need to be made in order to be effective, safe, and ethical. Within these writings is the concept of the Engineering Way of Thinking, a way of making decisions that is applicable beyond engineered technological systems.

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  • Jeri Decator

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