User Ideas / Prospects

On the Role of Failure in Engineering:
"Failures appear to be inevitable in the wake of prolonged success, which encourages lower margins of safety. Failures, in turn, lead to greater safety margins and hence new periods of success."
— Henry Petroski, "To Engineer Is Human"​

On the Evolution and Future of Civil Engineering:
"The past achievements in civil engineering provide a solid foundation, but the future requires engineers to adapt, innovate, and apply systems thinking to solve the complex challenges of tomorrow."
— Samuel Labi, "Introduction to Civil Engineering Systems"​

On Experimentation in Civil Engineering:
"Civil engineers must not just follow the rules but innovate through experimentation to uncover new solutions to persistent challenges, ensuring that the designs of today inspire the achievements of tomorrow."
— Francis J. Hopcroft & Abigail J. Charest, "Experiment Design for Civil Engineering"​

On the Importance of Design and Adaptation:
"Design is getting from here to there—an essential process of revision, adaptation, and problem-solving that keeps civil engineering at the forefront of societal development."
— Henry Petroski, "To Engineer Is Human"

On Engineering's Human Aspect:
"Engineering is not just about machines and structures; it is fundamentally about improving the human experience through thoughtful and sustainable design."
— Henry Petroski, "To Engineer Is Human"​

On Learning from Mistakes:
"Success is built on the ability to foresee and prevent failure. Every failure in design is a lesson that helps engineers push the boundaries of what’s possible."
— Henry Petroski, "To Engineer Is Human"​

On the Importance of Systems Thinking:
"Civil engineering systems must be developed with foresight, understanding that today’s solutions must be adaptable to the changing demands of tomorrow."
— Samuel Labi, "Introduction to Civil Engineering Systems"​

On the Balance of Innovation and Safety:
"Engineers walk the fine line between bold innovation and meticulous safety, ensuring that each new idea contributes to progress without compromising security."
— Michael R. Lindeburg, "Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam"​

On Sustainable Materials:
"Sustainability in civil engineering materials is not just a trend; it's a responsibility to ensure that what we build today does not hinder the possibilities of tomorrow."
— Kathryn E. Schulte Grahame et al., "Essentials of Civil Engineering Materials"