A Real Model Representing the Boston Molasses - Research Paper Example

In this research paper, the study of Boston Molasses disaster helped in acting as a model for other engineeringdisasters. In order to act as a real model representing the disasters, this research paper incorporates description of the disaster and the framework of investigation applied to help in validating relationship between engineering disasters and engineering practices. The paper also includes the description of results obtained from the investigation. Apart from the investigation, the paper also illuminates on the impact of Boston Molasses Disaster on modern day engineering practices. Table of Contents Abstract 1 Table of Contents 2 1.Introduction 3 1.1Background 3 1.1.1 Bolton Molasses disaster 3 1.1.2 Engineering practices used in the plan 4 2.The investigation of Bolton Molasses disaster 5 2.1 The investigation 5 2.2 Findings 6 2.3 Recommendation 7 3.Impact on engineering practices 8 4.Conclusion 9 Work cited 10 1. Introduction The occurrence of engineering disasters usually proves fatal just like road carnages. This has triggered several researchers to dig deep into a possible relationship of these disasters to engineering practices. Validating the relationship is an important step in obtaining more details about the past tragedies related to the same. Boston Molasses disaster, which occurred on January 15, 1919 acts as a proper model for validating the relationship argument. The description of the disaster, investigation framework and the impact of the disaster on the modern day engineering practices forms integral component in realizing the causal relationship. The completion of the research paper was based on the argument that “the nature of engineering practices acts as one of the major source of most of the past engineering disasters”. 1.1 Background 1.1.1 Bolton Molasses disaster January 15, 2014 marked the 95th anniversary of the Great Molasses Flood, which happened at the site location of Purity Distilling Company. The original cause of the disaster was the rise in temperature, which had reached above 400F. The storage tanks containing molasses burst on Boston’s waterfront, leading to discharge of about two million gallon of its content. The fatality of the burst became even worse, as the tank was situated 15 ft high making the molasses to race across the North of Boston at a speed of 35mph. The 160 ft-wide wave swept through the own killing 21 with 150 injured; besides, claiming properties worth thousands of dollars (Canale et al, p. 57). There were evidences of rivets dashing from the tank, in the manner of a gun bullet. The wave triggered by the molasses was enough to damage rails on the Boston Elevated Railway’s Atlantic Avenue. The following image shows the damage done to the girders of the adjacent elevated Railway line: Retrieved from: http://1000words1000days.com/2013/06/day-527-when-molasses-attacks/ The high capacity of molasses in the tank attributed to the popular use the substance as a standard sweetener and aider in fermentation of alcohol, in the US. At the time of the disaster, the stored molasses was to be transported to Cambridge. The business of molasses had also boomed because of the First Wolrd War. Another possible cause was the rise in the internal pressure because of the increased Carbon iv oxide production. Further, temperatures had been initially high during the previous day; consequently, supporting the cause for rise in the internal pressure. The poor construction and insufficient testing of the engineering process did not allow the tank to sustain the internal growing pressure, thereby leading to the ultimate burst. 1.1.2 Engineering practices used in the plan The booming business led to the hasty construction of a five stories high which could contain 2.3 million gallons of molasses. Four years after the construction, increase in the delivery of molasses to the tank triggered a great lateral pressure leading to the bursting of the tank. The engineers of the tank included large curved steel plates, which formed part of the overlapping rows of rivets. The steel plates were aligned in vertical rows of seven and then tightened with rivets. The engineers used a concrete base to wrap up the outer framework of the tank. The tank was just adjacent to the harbor, a distance of 200ft from the ships used in the importing the molasses. There was also a railroad track near the tank that could act as a channel for transporting the molasses. The allegation about the weaker strength of rivet could have also explained the bursting of highly elevated tank. The following is an image showing the molasses tank before the disaster: Retrieved from: http://1000words1000days.com/2013/06/day-527-when-molasses-attacks/ 2. The investigation of Bolton Molasses disaster 2.1 The investigation The occurrence of Boston Molasses Flood led to the company appointing Charles Spofford, a civil engineer in structural engineering and bridge design to investigate the cause of the tragedy. The whole investigation process, headed by Charles Spofford relied on the engineering plan initially used in constructing the tank. In the event of reaching a conclusion, Spofford examined several variables associated to the construction of the tank; among them including the thickness of the steel plates, rivets and the pressure exerted by the content of the tank. These variables act as essential considerations when accessing the strength of a given structure, especially in the engineering field. Studying the thickness of the steel plates was significant in evaluating the ability of the tank to withstand the pressure from molasses therein. Further, the assessment of the quality of rivets used was also inherent, for the completion of the investigation process since, for the determination of the strength of the plates used. The determination of the adequacy or shortage of rivets helped the investigator in legitimizing the theory about the improper design and failure of the engineering plan used on the tank. Intuitively, the entire investigation process had it framework based on the structural strength of the tank. 2.2 Findings From the structural assessment of the tank, the investigation determined that inadequacy of structural strength was the major cause of the disaster. In his conclusion about the investigation, Charles Spofford asserts, “In my judgment, the tank was improperly designed and its failure was due entirely to structural weakness” (Browne & Arthur p. 196). The structural weakness of the tank rendered it incapable of sustaining the rising internal pressure from the high capacity of molasses therein. The following were the findings associated to the structural weakness of the tank: The investigations established that the rising internal pressure was due to the fermentation of the component in the tank. The fermentation process was responsible for the release of carbon dioxide, which was responsible for the rise. The rise was one of the sole reasons for the burst. Spofford reported that the used steel plates were much thinner than expected for the construction of such an enormous structure. This rendered the tank incapable of sutaining the rising pressure. There were not enough rivets as evidence in the shooting action of the rivets everywhere around the town. This shooting action indicated that there less rivets to fasten the plates. The negligence of the fatigue crack led to the growth of hoop stress at the base of the tank; consequently, triggering the burst of the tank. The above findings indicate the company, engineers and the city as the major participants in the occurrence of the flood. First, the company did not consider carrying out regular inspection in and around the tank. An inspection would have helped in prior determination of fatigue crack identified at the base of the tank during investigations. The negligence of the fatigue crack led to the growth of hoop stress at the base of the tank; consequently, triggering the burst of the tank. Further, the city also participated in this negligence because it is always responsible for regular investigation on such structures, which bears significant harm on the public. Further, the city would have reduced the likely occurrence of the disaster had it considered carrying out inspection on the status of the building. They did not offer sufficient inspection for ensuring safety of the building. The civil engineers involved in the planning of the construction of the tank, are also at fault considering that they are the ones who initiated the building process. Clearly, the overseeing engineer, Aurthur Jell, had neglected safety examination on the tank (Puleo p. 190). At the time of the burst, the tank was in bad state; with plenty of molasses leaking from the base. 2.3 Recommendation Considering the fault of the three parties, the following were some of the recommendation made by the inquiry: New policies, based on the safety of a project, were also a recommendation to the organization. The organization should have considered carrying out regular inspection on every project to oversee that there are proper risk management put in place. Through regular inspection, the organization would have determined and managed the fatigued crack appearing on the base of the tank. The inquiry subjected the whole project to termination because of the ignorance on the side of the engineers, city and the company. However, the occurrence of the disaster led to the recommendation for new testing procedures, to determine the accuracy of a structure. Based on the consequences for the technology, the inquiry desk recommended that the overseer of the projects, engineers, should always perform safety examination on the tank before the completion of the project. For instance, the recommendation was that civil engineers should examine any possibility of leak through filling the given tank with water (Puleo p. 190). 3. Impact on engineering practices The occurrence of Molasses floods have contributed to the modification of engineering practices as seen in the contemporary world. First, through Boston Building Department, the modern world discarded the technology used in building the tank, by implementing engineering certification law. Intuitively, the certification law is to reduce the occurrence of negligence on the part of the engineers. The involved engineers are aware of the proper testing procedures applicable in avoiding future leaks and internal pressure hikes. The law ensures that every engineer becomes responsible for the aftermath of his actions especially when designing sensitive structures like that of Boston. This has restricted action of the engineers towards achieving safety in the completion of the project since any negligence would attract punishment from the law. The engineering certification law now applies across all states in America and an extension in many countries. The occurrence of the disaster also acted as the basis for formation of new standards to help in ensuring safety of structures. In almost all the states, the city municipality the responsibility of issuing building permits to organization who would like to pursue plans for a major structure. The issuing of the permit only occurs after the city has confirmed the validity of the plan through a professional engineer. The professional engineer has to survey the building site and adequacy of materials to sustain the stability of the proposed plan, against any force of nature. The legislation was proposed by Boston Building Department and then adopted across all the states. This modification occurred as the result of the incapability of the organization in providing enough rivets to be used in fastening the plates. 4. Conclusion It is true that the nature of engineering practices has acted as one of the major source of most of the past engineering disasters. Boston Molasses disaster is just one of the stunning instances to validate the relationship between the two. To support this argument, the paper integrates some specific modifications done on engineering practices as the result of Boston disaster. The modern world discarded the technology used in building the tank, by implementing engineering certification law. Intuitively, the certification law is to reduce the occurrence of negligence on the part of the engineers. The redesign to technology is also an evidence supporting the relationship. The professional engineer has to survey the building site and adequacy of materials to sustain the stability of the proposed plan, against any force of nature. Work cited Browne, Ray B, and Arthur G. Neal. Ordinary Reactions to Extraordinary Events. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 2001. Print. Canale, Lauralice C. F, R A. Mesquita, and George E. Totten. Failure Analysis of Heat Treated Steel Components. Materials Park, OH: ASM International, 2008. Internet resource. Puleo, Stephen. Dark Tide: The Great Molasses Flood of 1919. Boston, Mass: Beacon Press, 2014. Internet resource. Read More