Engineering failures are the mistakes engineers make when constructing projects, leading to destruction and often causing human life losses. Indeed, there have been many historical events exemplifying the situations of engineering failure. The investigation of such failures is commonly approached with failure analysis, which allows for identifying the causes of the failure to eliminate the risks of similar mistakes in the future. This paper will address the sinking of the Titanic, North Atlantic, 1912, and the collapse of the Hyatt Hotel, Kansas City, 1981, from the perspective of failure analysis application.
Firstly, the sinking of the Titanic might be analyzed using the failure analysis approach to identify how might have averted the disaster. The imaging and simulation of the collision of the ship with an iceberg might be a beneficial way to illustrate the character of the damage (Coules et al., 2019). In addition, the engineering analysis of the materials that were used to build the ship with a precise focus on its strength alteration under different external influences might show the drawbacks that might have been avoided (Hagen, 2013). As for the collapse of the Hyatt Hotel, the failure of the engineering in this example might be addressed using the calculation and imaging of the weight distribution among the skywalk panels (Bernhardt, 2018). The structural engineering mistakes might be detected using the analysis of the qualities of steel used for the walkways (Bernhardt, 2018). Overall, the investigation of the project plan and its calculations might provide clarity on the causes of the failure.
In summation, the use of engineering failure analysis is valuable when investigating the causes of engineering mistakes. In particular, when applied to the episode of the Titanic’s sinking and the collapse of the Hyatt Hotel, the methods of failure analysis, including imaging, simulation, laboratory examinations, and project plan reviews, serve as valuable tools. The identification of drawbacks in engineering decision-making is essential in preventing failure and eliminating the risk of human death.
References
Bernhardt, R. (2018). Hyatt Regency Skywalk collapse: Evaluation of the box beam design. In Forensic Engineering 2018: Forging Forensic Frontiers (pp. 447-456). American Society of Civil Engineers.
Coules, H. E., Orrock, P. J., & Seow, C. E. (2019). Reflectance transformation imaging as a tool for engineering failure analysis. Engineering Failure Analysis, 105, 1006-1017.
Hagen K. D. (2013). Introduction to engineering analysis. (4th ed). Prentice Hall.
“Nunca Olvida” And “Los Dos Miedos” By Joaquin Turina
“Nunca Olvida” and “Los Dos Miedos” by Joaquin Turina are compositions from the song cycle Poema en Forma de Canciones. The songs were first published in 1923 in Madrid, although the author’s music is also well known and cherished in Seville, where he was born and spent a long time (“De Margot a passion” 2018). This paper aims to analyze “Nunca Olvida” and “Los Dos Miedos” by Joaquin Turina in terms of vocals and instrument use.
These pieces are two of five songs that constitute the Poema en Forma de Canciones song cycle. “Nunca Olvida” was written for soprano and piano or orchestra, like the rest of the compositions in the cycle. It provides an opportunity for sensual female performance and captivates the listener. The soprano theme, intense and delicate, is accompanied by a somewhat drawn-out and even superficial piano accompaniment that frames and balances out the more impassioned vocals. The Poema en Forma de Canciones was written in the middle of the composer’s career and is a collection of ‘vignettes,’ love songs (“Never forget,” 2022). “Nunca Olvida,” tells the story of a man who, thinking about death, says that he is ready to forgive all his enemies, facing God, but not the woman he loved.
The song “Los Dos Miedos,” the fourth song from Poema en Forma de Canciones, is performed by a tenor, and the vocal part is less saturated, compared to the expressiveness of the accompaniment. It seems that the dialogue presented in the song takes place more quietly, while the accompaniment shows what is hidden behind the restraint of words – a wide and emotional perception. “Los Dos Miedos,” which translates to “two fears,” is a song in which lovers exchange innocent reproaches about being scared when they’re too close, and just as scared when they’re too far apart (“Los dos miedos,” 2022). Interestingly, in eight lines, the author genuinely expressed a theme that is so familiar to many lovers.
Thus, “Nunca Olvida” and “Los Dos Miedos” compositions by Joaquin Turina were analyzed. These pieces belong to the cycle Poema en Forma de Canciones which contains only five songs. These are love songs, very short, and at the same time very passionate, deep, emotional, and tender. Both songs use the contrast between vocals and accompaniment, which creates additional dynamics. They are gentle and melodic and allow the listener to plunge into a new unknown world of love feelings.
Reference
De Margot a passion. (2018). CofradiasTv.
Never forget. (2022). TheLiederNetArchive.
Los dos miedos. (2022). TheLiederNetArchive.
Schenck V. United States As Free Speech Issue
Free speech has always been an important issue and remains a hot-debated topic. The First Amendment ensures everyone’s equal right to free speech. However, there are debatable aspects, such as hate speech, dangerous speech, and so on. People’s opinions on what should be considered hate or dangerous speech and how they should be addressed differently. The question of perception is perhaps the cornerstone of the debate over the freedom of speech.
In my opinion, Justice Holmes’ position was justified because even freedom of speech has some limits, especially when it comes to extreme circumstances, such as war. While the concern of the socialists, who argued that the Conscription Act “violate[d] the most sacred right of personal liberty” (Davidson et al., 2022, p. 461), is understandable, there is also the opposite argument. Case in point, Justice Holmes said that free speech could be limited when it “create[s] a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils” (Britannica, 2022). I find the latter point to be more justified, and therefore I do not think the pamphlets were protected by the right to free speech.
Nevertheless, I believe that free speech limitations should be minimal. If a certain idea does not threaten society and does not discriminate against any person or group, people should be able to express it freely. In other words, the government should not have the right to silence such an idea. The same applies to the opposition to the government policy. As long as the opposing view does not present a threat to any particular person or group, it has the right to exist, and the government should not silence it.
References
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2022). Schenck v. United States. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web.
Davidson, J. W., DeLay, B., Heyrman, C.L., Lytle, M. and Stoff, M. (2022). U.S.: A narrative history, volume 2: Since 1865. (Vol. 2). McGraw-Hill Education.