Ethical issues in engineering design - 3TU.Centre for Ethics and ...

Ethical issues in engineering design
In short, there is a regulative framework consisting of European and Dutch
legislation, codes, certification, ideas of interpretations, teaching materials and
courses. Does this regulative framework meet Grunwald’s requirements for
normative frameworks? The requirements were outlined in section 2.3.2. A
normative framework should be pragmatically complete, locally consisted,
unambiguous, accepted and observed [Grunwald, 2000] and [Grunwald, 2001].
Pragmatically complete: The framework is reasonably complete. According to
the engineers, most of the decisions that have to be made are encompassed by
the framework. There is one subject that is not dealt with explicitly in the
framework: misuse.
Locally consistent: Most elements of the framework are linked and there is little
contradiction because the building decree is the decisive document. The
construction should, in the end, comply to the Dutch building decree. Possible
contradictions arise if parts of the construction can be designed using one of two
types of codes for example a geotechnical or a construction code but this is the
exception. Different codes pose different requirements, so the same part will
look different when designed according to different codes. This problem arises
only for certain parts of certain constructions in which the type of code that
should be used is not fixed and can be debated. So, strictly speaking the
framework is not locally consistent, because it allows, in some cases, the use of
different types of codes.
Unambiguous: At this moment the framework is unambiguous, but the new
European code will cause temporarily problems. In the near future the European
code for loads on bridges will become available in a green version. At that
moment both the old NEN codes and the new European code can be used. Until
the European code is available in a definite version this situation will continue.
Engineers can, during this time period, choose between the codes. Some
engineers may choose immediately to use the new European code because the
fatigue load predictions are better, other engineers may choose to continue using
the old NEN codes because they have experience with these old codes.
Accepted: The framework is accepted by the IBA engineers and according to
them the framework is widely accepted in the engineering profession. There is
little evidence that the public or policy makers or engineers do not accept the
framework. With regard to the design process for a bridge there are no signs that
the framework is contested. The public seems to accept the bridges that are built.
There have not been any recent disasters with bridges in the Netherlands, so
there is little reason for the public to doubt the framework. The Van
Brienenoordbrug case is an example of problems caused by using the NEN
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