Major Engineering Mistakes
Introduction
Engineering is one of the most fascinating and essential fields for the development of
humanity. From the construction of bridges and skyscrapers to space missions, engineering
constantly seeks to innovate and overcome challenges. However, throughout history, things
have not always gone as planned. Some mistakes, whether due to calculation errors,
inadequate materials, lack of testing, or even political and economic pressures, have
resulted in remarkable disasters. These errors not only caused financial and structural
damage but, in some cases, also put lives at risk.
In this text, we will explore five of the most emblematic engineering mistakes, understand the
reasons behind them, and reflect on the lessons we can learn to prevent such failures from
happening again.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Tower of Pisa, located in the city of Pisa, Italy, is one of the most iconic monuments in
the world. Although its tilt has contributed to making it a famous tourist attraction, this
characteristic is actually the result of an engineering mistake. Its construction began in 1173
on unstable ground with an inadequate foundation, causing the tower to start leaning during
the early stages of the project. Over the centuries, various attempts have been made to
stabilize it and prevent its collapse. Despite many stories trying to justify the tilt and make it
seem intentional, this was a major engineering failure. Yet, the tower still became a global
symbol. And what was the lesson? A well-executed geotechnical analysis before starting any
construction is essential.
Tacoma Narrows Bridge
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge was inaugurated in 1940 in Washington, USA. It was designed
to be economical and lightweight, using very narrow beams, but the lack of adequate
aerodynamic studies of the area, including an analysis of potential effects, resulted in a
major disaster. Just four months after its inauguration, the strong winds in the area caused
the bridge to oscillate extremely until it collapsed. This mistake cost millions of dollars and
led to the development of new studies on structural aerodynamics, which are essential for
modern bridge designs.
Mars Climate Orbiter
The Mars Climate Orbiter was an important NASA mission aimed at studying Mars’
atmosphere. However, in 1999, the launched satellite disappeared due to a simple unit
conversion error: one team used the metric system (meters, grams, liters), while the other
used the imperial system (feet, miles, pounds). As a result, the satellite entered Mars’
atmosphere at the wrong altitude and was destroyed. The loss amounted to 125 million
dollars. This case highlights the importance of standardization and clear communication in
complex projects.
The Sinking of the Vasa
The Vasa was a Swedish warship built in 1628 to be one of the most powerful vessels of its
time. However, on its maiden voyage, it sank just minutes after setting sail. And what was
the mistake? The ship had a very high center of gravity due to the excess of cannons on the
upper deck, while its base was too narrow and couldn’t stabilize the entire ship. The
engineers noticed the problem during construction, but the king’s pressure to complete the
project quickly led to disaster. This case demonstrates how political interference and haste
can compromise the safety of engineering projects.
Chernobyl
The Chernobyl accident was one of the greatest tragedies caused by engineering and
operational errors. In April 1986, Reactor 4 of a nuclear power plant in Ukraine exploded
during a safety test due to a combination of human failures and problems with the design of
the RBMK reactors, which also had serious design flaws. The explosion was catastrophic,
releasing a massive amount of radiation into the atmosphere, causing many deaths,
thousands of people with severe illnesses, and the evacuation of the city of Pripyat, which
remains uninhabitable to this day. The Chernobyl disaster highlights the importance of strict
safety protocols in high-risk projects and the necessity of following procedures without
exceptions.
Conclusion
These historical errors demonstrate that engineering goes beyond simple calculation and
execution; it requires good planning, rigorous testing, and clear and effective communication
between all parties involved. Each failure presented in this text, no matter how devastating,
resulted in significant advancements in the field, providing valuable lessons that helped
improve practices and processes in engineering. After all, making mistakes is an inevitable
part of the human condition, but the true essence of engineering’s evolution lies in learning
from these mistakes and applying the lessons to prevent them from repeating. This constant
cycle of reflection and improvement is what drives innovation and progress in the profession
over time.
