HMME 3133 – Professional Ethics, Term Project

Name: Muhammad Umer

REG #: BME173055
Section: S1

Problem Statement:
In this case study, the Citicorp building problem is discussed which had some problems with
its construction.

Title:
LeMessurier Stands Tall

Introduction:
In the 1960s, Citicorp's headquarters, located in Manhattan, became a point of consideration
somehow. The St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, constructed in 1905 wanted to sell its property.
The financial institutions realized that they should build a new building for the church with no
contact from the Citicorp building. No columns were permitted to pass through the new
church to support the building. In the 1970s, Citicorp owner hired an architect named Hugh
Stubbins who proposed a solution to this problem. He gave a solution to the weight
distribution and shape of the pillar to maintain the restrictions and also provide strength to
structure. To remain structurally balanced the church was given its space but the building had
gone above it's the height that was allowed in the area.
The residents of the area went against the structure of the building and Citicorp decided to
install solar panels on the roof but could make it go further. After that, it became a signature
design of the building.
Ethical Dilemma:
In June 1978, an engineering student Diane Hartley wrote her thesis on Citicorp building.
While studying the structure plans of the buildings Diane performed her calculations and
found out the quarterly winds on the building and it generated more stresses on beams and
after analyzing the problem she realized that the structure was not sufficient to withstand the
stresses. In her calculations, she recommended an efficient solution. Even her professor
questioned the same thing in the thesis and then told about it to the LeMessurier. At the start,
he dismissed the problem and this made him check into the problem.
The columns were joined together by welding but in the thesis bolted joints would provide
more strength to the structure so, this has to be replaced with the bolts. The design team was
then given the notice of the solution but still, LeMessurier didn’t pay attention to it.
Soon, LeMessurier chose to further investigate and he performed some preliminary
calculations on the effects of quartering winds and discovered that in four of the chevrons
the stresses had disappeared but the other four had developed almost double the stresses.
The bolts used in the beams were not strong enough to carry the imposed forces. Soon
LeMessurier realized that he didn’t have to panic in this dilemma but at least he now had
something better to look into.
Stake Holders:
The stakeholders in this case first of all are LeMessurier himself, who was the owner of the
Citicorp building. Hugh Stubbins was the engineer hired for the construction of the building.
Diane Hartley was a student of engineering who identified the problem in the pillars of the
building. David Billington, a teacher at Princeton University also questioned the standing of
the Citicorp building.
Code of Ethics:
1. Ethical Standards are more specific goals toward which Members should aspire in
professional performance and behavior.
2. Apply technical knowledge and skill which is ordinarily applied by architects of good
standing practicing in the same locality.
3. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and shall
strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of
their professional duties.
4. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
Possible Solutions:
1. The building could be sealed until the matter is resolved.
2. Let not the workers know about it and solve the issue on weekends.
3. Tell everyone and start working on the building but that would create panic.
Best Solution:
Since the lives of people were on stake and also the building was just to be made safe from
the 70 Mph Airstreams. So, LeMessurier Decided to let the bank be open and work regularly
during the working hours and after that start working on the pillars and columns on the
building to make the structure stable. In this way no one would get harm, nothing would be
to panic if no one is given a hint of the problem.
Conclusion:
The Citicorp building finally got rid of weldments and installed with bolted columns. The case
study is not just about giving people the safety they need, but to be honest to your
engineering profession. An engineer must deeply study and calculate everything before doing
such an engineering project. The calculations made by Diane Hartley turned out to help
increase the safety factor of the building.
References:
1. Evaluating Professional Ethics and Conduct Through Case Studies, RLI Design
Professionals Learning Event, DPLE 159, August 19, 2015
2. The AIA Trust, white paper, case study