ABU DHABI, 15th September, 2013 (WAM) -- Khalifa University announced today that it will host a lecture by the distinguished civil engineer, Henry Petroski, at the InterContinental Hotel, Abu Dhabi on September 18th, 2013. The lecture is part of Khalifa University?s "Distinguished Speakers" series.
Mr. Petroski is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the US National Academy of Engineering. He has received numerous prizes and honours for his books and contributions to the public understanding of engineering. Petroski is the Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and Professor of History at Duke University. Petroski?s lecture, entitled: "Success and Failure in Engineering: A Paradoxical Relationship" is open to the public. The lecture will look at historical case studies, such as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge which twisted and collapsed in 1940, as well as case studies on the design of ocean liners and suspension bridges that were both huge successes and huge failures. Petroski asserts that the lessons learned from these cases can be generalised to apply across a broad spectrum of engineering structures and systems. They can also help to explain why failures continue to occur, even as technology advances. "We are pleased to welcome Mr. Petroski to Abu Dhabi and are delighted that he has chosen to speak to Khalifa University students, faculty and the general public," said Dr. Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University. "This talk, as others within the distinguished speaker?s series, will provide a very useful context for our students to complement their academic interests in science and technology, as well as give them ideas for future career pursuits. The Distinguished Speakers Series also helps us achieve our mission to serve the broader community by informing them on highly relevant topics that directly relate to a rapidly transforming economic and technological environment."Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
