2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Safe design requires that engineers consider sources of uncertainty. For instance, variability in loading conditions and material properties create a risk of structural failure. However, previous research suggests that engineers, and people more generally, often fail to recognize uncertainty. In this study, we aim to determine what sources of uncertainty engineers recognize through a scoping review of engineering textbooks.

In this work-in-progress, we are investigating *recognized* sources of uncertainty in engineering. Since engineering textbooks are a recognized tool for training new engineers, we will conduct a scoping review of engineering textbooks as a proxy corpus of well-recognized engineering knowledge. We will curate a list of library reserve lists from multiple engineering institutions, in order to identify textbooks that are in-use for teaching purposes. To manage the scope of our study, we will focus attention on books relevant to structural mechanics / design. To conduct content analysis of textbooks, we will study Index sections to identify and code keywords as relevant to uncertainty. This study will result in multiple data products that will be of interest to other researchers, such as consolidated reserve lists and Index term counts across textbooks.

We anticipate differential recognition of uncertainties within engineering and across engineering disciplines. For instance, geometric tolerances are commonly discussed in drafting courses, but material variability is often reified and ignored in structural engineering courses. These results will highlight strengths and gaps in present engineering education with regards to uncertainty.