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The Citicorp Tower Case 2

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Danish Hassan
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12 views1 page

The Citicorp Tower Case 2

Uploaded by

Danish Hassan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Citicorp Tower case is an important example of how decisions in engineering can have serious

consequences. A critical design flaw in the building’s wind bracing meant it could collapse in
strong diagonal winds. This mistake wasn’t just a technical error—it also showed problems with
how people and systems handled responsibility and safety.

One major issue was overconfidence. The engineers thought the usual calculations for wind loads
would work, even though the building’s design was very unusual, with stilts at its base. They didn’t
think about whether those calculations needed to be different for such a unique design. Another
problem was confirmation bias, where they focused only on the evidence that supported their
initial plans and didn’t look for mistakes. These kinds of thinking can lead to big problems when
working on important projects.

There were also problems with the systems in place. No independent review of the building’s
design was required, so no one outside the project team checked their work. This made it easier
for the mistake to go unnoticed. On top of that, there wasn’t a culture of open communication
where team members felt comfortable raising concerns. In fact, it was only when a graduate student
asked questions about the design that the issue came to light.

From this case, we learn that engineers need to think carefully about their work and listen to
different perspectives. Future projects could avoid problems like this by requiring independent
audits, where outside experts check for mistakes. It’s also important to create a speak-up culture,
where people feel safe pointing out problems. Using modern tools like real-time monitoring
systems can also help catch issues before they become dangerous.

This case teaches us that engineering is about more than just solving technical problems—it’s
about protecting people and doing the right thing. As future professionals, we need to remember
how important ethics and safety are. By learning from cases like Citicorp Tower, we can build a
better and safer future.

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