Hi Lubomir and Filippo,
This is the mindset of many governments' expectations when tendering for least expensive replies. If the officials pick the more expensive one, they need to write a huge book of justifications for that. Vendors of the lower cost always claim their design/construction/specifications are fine and meet the industrial standards. To cut-corner, I'm not sure and may be wrong, some officials always follow the implicit guideline governed by the mindset - do less for less work.
Can we allow to scarify the safety etc. for inferior design and implementation due to limited funding and resource constraints? If so, can't we decline the projects then wait and see?
Elson
-----Original Message-----
From: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related research in Design [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lubomir Savov Popov
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 9:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Why the design profession wouldn't have avoided the Japanese nuclear crisis
Hi Filippo and Elson,
I don't have all the information about the case and the situation. I also found more in-depth information in non-US media. Evidently several governments do not want to disturb their citizens at this time.
It is quite possible that the tsunami factor has been scaled down because of increased technical difficulties and budgetary restrictions. It is logical that when we make a structure more resilient and reliable, it might be several times more expensive. However, in all cases the problem remains outside the core design process. Programming is the time to make politics and to reach consensus. When the design stage comes, this less productive and more expensive.
By the way, in the European debates a few days ago, the French were making a pitch for their designs. They openly stated that they have missed several tenders because their offers are more expensive. But they emphasize that this is the cost of much higher reliability and safety.
Best,
Lubomir
-----Original Message-----
From: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related research in Design [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Filippo A. Salustri
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 9:27 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Why the design profession wouldn't have avoided the Japanese nuclear crisis
This assumes no other forces that could work against developing a better
"design." Perhaps there were political reasons to ignore very high
tsunamis? Perhaps there were economic reasons?
Cheers.
Fil
On 16 March 2011 21:07, Lubomir Savov Popov <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> When we are involved in the project delivery for complex facilities,
> programming/planning is key for specifying product attributes. Considering
> the complexity of nuclear facilities, it is prudent to invest in extensive
> work at the pre-design phases.
>
> The whole situation has emerged mostly because at the programming/planning
> phase the threat of a very high tsunami was not considered seriously. It is
> quite astonishing, keeping in mind that in Japanese history and folklore
> there are vivid images of tsunami waves much higher than the present one.
> With my sporadic knowledge about Japanese tsunami disasters, I would have
> taken precautions for a 100 feet high wave. Practically speaking, the power
> plant should have been designed as a nuclear-powered ship.
>
> I would not blame the engineers. This is not a design error, but a
> programming/planning error. The specifications/problems/requirements were
> not defined correctly. A good engineer may or may not be a good programmer.
> Programming requires different skills that the typical design skills.
>
> This is a good case for empowering the emergence of an autonomous
> programming profession separate from core design. Programmers will have a
> more focused program of study and more experience with the specification of
> product attributes, qualities, and requirements.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Lubomir
>
--
Filippo A. Salustri, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Ryerson University
350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON
M5B 2K3, Canada
Tel: 416/979-5000 ext 7749
Fax: 416/979-5265
Email: [log in to unmask]
http://deseng.ryerson.ca/~fil/
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