1 st Lecture: Engineering Decisions under Uncertainty
Aim of the present lecture
The first aim of the present lecture is to introduce the problem context of societal decision
making and to outline how the concept of risk may provide a means for rational decisions in
engineering. Furthermore, commonly applied procedures of risk based decision making are
presented with a description of the individual steps required for establishing a risk informed
basis for decision making.
The second aim is to provide an understanding of the role of different types of hazards in
engineering and why failures in engineering occur. This includes the presentation of statistics
of losses as well as studies of events of failures from different industries.
On the basis of the lecture it is expected that the students will acquire knowledge on the
following issues:
How aspects of sustainability may be related to life safety and cost optimal decision
making.
Why engineering decision making is influenced by uncertainties?
What is the role of probability and consequence in decision making?
What is the definition of risk?
Which are the main phases to be considered in life cycle risk assessments in engineering
decision making?
What are the procedural steps in risk based decision making?
Which hazards are of significance for engineering decision making?
What is the role of human errors in civil engineering?
What are the causes of failures in different engineering industries?