I enjoyed To Engineer is Human, so I will have to check out The Evolution of Useful Things.
Right now I am reading a local author, but I would think the books would be of interest to all. "Forgotten Tales of Rhode Island" and "Rhode Island Disasters: Tales of Tragedy by Sea, Air, and Rail" by Jim Ignasher. I started reading them before our current emergency situation, and while it may be grim, disasters with mass casualties (at least a local level) were somewhat common in the past. There are many tales of steam ships that traveled along the coast of New England, when engineer was a common term for someone who operated the boiler, and whose ethical decisions made the difference in life or death. As the legal fallouts often led to the courtroom, there are many lessons to be learned for today's practicing civil engineer.
I also recommend "Dynasty of Engineers" by Roland Paxton. It tells the story of Robert Lewis Stevenson's family and the advent of the engineering profession. It talks of the trial and error and empirical design of lighthouses.
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Chad Morrison P.E., M.ASCE
Professional Engineer
Greenville RI
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-26-2020 10:17
From: David Hook
Subject: Quarantine Good Reads
Two of my favorite books on engineering and design are by Prof. Henry Petroski:
1. The Evolution of Useful Things, and
2. To Engineer Is Human.
Not new books, but very thoughtful and insightful, and good reads.
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David Hook P.E., M.ASCE
CIVIL ENGINEER
San Jose CA
Original Message:
Sent: 03-25-2020 14:15
From: Tirza Austin
Subject: Quarantine Good Reads
Hi @Hala Abdo,
Great question! I'm looking forward to hearing other recommendations on the thread. I wanted to provide some books that are available through ASCE for free. Happy reading!
Prestandard for Performance-Based Wind Design
Prestandard for Performance-Based Wind Design enables the performance-based design, review, acceptance, and construction of buildings using analyses, materials, structural and nonstructural systems, and devices that the prescriptive provisions of building codes and standards may not cover.
Adapting Infrastructure and Civil Engineering Practice to a Changing Climate
Adapting Infrastructure and Civil Engineering Practice to a Changing Climate presents an accurate discussion of the potential significance of climate change to engineering practice.
Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge: Preparing the Future Civil Engineer, Third Edition
This report provides a consensus on areas in which a civil engineering technologist might work, as well as the overall approach of combined foundational and specialty outcomes to provide a workable body of knowledge.
Civil Engineering Technologist Body of Knowledge
This report outlines 21 foundational, technical, and professional practice learning outcomes for individuals entering the professional practice of civil engineering.
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Tirza Austin
Manager, Online Community
American Society of Civil Engineers
1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 20191
Original Message:
Sent: 03-24-2020 04:10
From: Hala Abdo
Subject: Quarantine Good Reads
Hi
Can we please share with each other on this thread some of the good reads to benefit from during the quarantine.
An article, a video or an online course that focuses on Environmental issues, Climate Action, or New Technologies?
Personally, I would like to suggest checking this water news from UN Water about World Water Development Report 2020 ' Water and Climate Change'
https://www.unwater.org/world-water-development-report-2020-water-and-climate-change/
And also to mention the ASCE 10 Professional Development Hours.
Hope to hear from others as well.
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Hala Abdo A.M.ASCE
Centreville VA
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