Geotechnical Problem Solving

6.3

The Biggest Problem

6.3.1 What is the Biggest Problem?

We have discussed the process of problem solving and the nature of complexity in this book. Geotechnical engineering problems can be relatively simple, or difficult, or complex, or compound-complex. We have discussed developing a problem plan and using the graded approach to problem solution.

US Presidents, historians, and commenters in newspapers and on television all seem to agree that maintenance of competitive advantage for the United States and European countries requires creative, innovative, and problem-solving citizens. These citizens are scientists and engineers with training in mathematics, science, and engineering. A program I saw on television had a science contributor explaining how mathematics, science, and engineering training hard-wires the human brain to innovate and develop problem-solving skills. The conclusion of these experts is that we need many more scientists and engineers. This conclusion sounds reasonable to me.

Many politicians, engineering societies, and citizen engineers suggest that we need to encourage students to study mathematics and science in elementary and high school, and to contribute to scholarship funds to help promising engineering students. These are wonderful pursuits, but we are still falling far behind the reported numbers of engineers required.

I have attempted to take the “big picture” approach to defining this biggest of all engineering problems. My approach is to look at ...