Failure Information: Dissemination Strategies
Kenneth L. Carper · Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities · 1987
Much of the knowledge used to design and construct engineered facilities has been obtained through learning from failures. Past efforts by individuals and committees within the American Society of Civil Engineers and other organizations have contributed significantly to the dissemination of failure information. While these activities have been effective, the ASCE Technical Council on Forensic Engineering (TCFE) seeks to coordinate and expand failure information dissemination strategies. The principal product of this effort is establishment of the Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, published by the ASCE, and jointly sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE/PEPP) and the Architecture and Engineering Performance Information Center (AEPIC). The type of failure information to be addressed covers a wide spectrum. Serviceability problems as well as catastrophic events will be included. Procedural problems leading to failure will be considered in addition to the technical causes. The information must be disseminated to a variety of professionals in the design and construction industries in order to achieve the desired interdisciplinary results. Continuing efforts by the TCFE will be closely coordinated with other committees and organizations, such as the AEPIC project. The objective is the development of professional practices to improve quality and promote public confidence in the engineering design professions.