Ethical Dilemmas in Civil Engineering

I do not think anybody can disagree with the following anonymous quote:

In any profession, a person's integrity is his or her most valuable asset. Compromising on ethical standards, even under pressure, is never justified. Doing the right thing often means standing alone and standing firm. 

This is also very much true of the Civil/Structural Engineering profession. I firmly believe that unethical practices lie at the core of the poor quality of engineering and construction, particularly in India's built environment. While technical and systemic issues play a role, unethical practices often exacerbate these problems, creating a cascading effect that compromises the safety, durability, and functionality of structures. Renowned Danish-British engineer Ove Arup once said, 'Engineering problems are under-defined, there are many solutions, good, bad, and indifferent. The art is to arrive at a good solution. This is a creative activity, involving imagination, intuition, and deliberate choice.' Engineers typically have more than one option and are required to make decisions in their day-to-day professional activities, which inherently involve a great deal of subjectivity. Ethical decision-making is crucial in ensuring the integrity and excellence of engineering practices.

Ethics is a set of the moral principles and guidelines that govern the behavior and decisions of individuals and organizations. It involves distinguishing between right and wrong and making choices that align with moral values and societal norms. Ethics is fundamental to maintaining trust, integrity, and professionalism in any field including civil and structural engineering. Ethical principles are derived from philosophical reasoning, religious teachings, cultural norms, and personal beliefs. Ethics evolve over time as societies' values and beliefs change.

Values are the core beliefs and principles that guide an individual's or organization's behavior and decision-making. They reflect what is considered important and worthwhile and serve as the foundation for ethical conduct. Common values in the engineering profession include honesty, integrity, accountability, respect, and social responsibility.

 A Code of Ethics is a formal document of a professional body that outlines the ethical standards and expectations for professionals within a specific field or organization. It provides a framework for ethical decision-making and guides professionals in their conduct, ensuring that they uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. All Civil/Structural Engineers are supposed to follow the code of ethics.

Laws are created by legislative bodies, such as parliaments and assemblies, and are influenced by ethical principles, societal values, and historical precedents. Laws can be amended or repealed as society evolves. Laws are enforceable by legal institutions, and violations can result in penalties or legal consequences while ethics are not legally enforceable. However, violations of ethical principles may result in social disapproval, loss of reputation, or professional sanctions.

Ethics and laws are interconnected concepts that guide behavior and maintain social order. While ethics provide moral guidance, laws establish formal rules and consequences. Both are essential for promoting fairness, justice, and the well-being of society. Understanding the relationship between ethics and laws is crucial for individuals and professionals, including engineers, to navigate complex ethical dilemmas and uphold societal values. For example, “Engineers must prioritize public safety and act with integrity” is an ethical principal. While following building codes and safety for construction to ensure public safety is an issue of law.

In this case, the ethical principle of prioritizing public safety is reinforced by laws that require adherence to safety standards. Engineers are both ethically and legally obligated to follow these regulations.

Ethical dilemmas in civil and structural engineering are complex and multifaceted, often involving conflicts between professional responsibilities, public interests, and external pressures. Engineers needs to navigate these dilemmas with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to ethical standards.

Safety vs. Cost Efficiency

A Civil/Structural Engineer is always under pressure to minimize the cost of a construction project by using design methodology and materials which are less expansive. While such design/ materials may meet the minimum requirements of the code but in the professional knowledge of the engineer it may not be the best option for the long-term durability /sustainability of the structure. This issue has become more prominent in the wake of EPC mode of the project delivery where design & specification is also in the scope of the EPC contractor. EPC contractor’s main motive will be to maximize the profit by just following the minimum standards often ignoring long term aspects of durability & sustainability.  While here the legal aspect of meeting minimum standards is followed but the ethical aspect which focuses on prioritizing public safety and the long-term welfare of the public is compromised. A conscious Engineer will have such an ethical dilemma while taking a decision.

Environmental Impact vs. Development Goals

This ethical dilemma is very common in most infrastructure projects such as construction of a new highway through a densely forested area, which would significantly impact local wildlife and ecosystems or construction of a dam which may lead to displacement of large number of people apart from submergence of large tract of good fertile land and damage to flora & fauna. Such projects may have received all necessary legal approvals, but environmentalists and local communities oppose it due to the potential ecological/societal  damages which have far-reaching long-term implications. A Civil engineer working on such a project or the one taking major decisions will be under tremendous ethical dilemma. Despite having legal clearance, the ethical dilemma is whether to proceed with the project or seek alternative routes/location that minimize environmental harm. The legal aspect involves obtaining the required permits and approvals, while the ethical aspect involves considering the long-term environmental impact and the responsibility to protect natural resources. This kind of dilemma is very tricky to resolve although many theories exist to take a decision in such a situation.

Professional Integrity vs. Client Demands

If a Civil/Structural engineer discovers a design flaw in a client's project that could pose safety risk in long run and the client insists on proceeding with the construction to meet tight deadlines, even though the flaw needs to be addressed. This situation does occur when engineering of project is in the scope of the contractor/executor and addressing flaws may cost significant cost and public scrutiny. Here ethical consideration requires the engineer to prioritize safety and professional integrity over client demands. What an engineer who is aware of such a flaw should do?

Transparency vs. Confidentiality

If an engineer becomes aware of potential safety hazards in a project but is bound by confidentiality agreements with the client. The engineer must decide whether to break confidentiality to protect public safety or adhere to the agreement. For example, an engineer involved in a construction project in India learns about potential safety hazards due to design changes. The engineer is bound by a confidentiality agreement with the client but feels ethically obligated to disclose the information to relevant authorities to prevent potential harm. Here legal aspect involves adhering to confidentiality agreements, while the ethical aspect involves protecting public safety and acting transparently. It is almost certain that client will sue the engineer in case he/she breaches the confidentiality clause of the agreement.

Conflicts of Interest

If an engineer overseeing a major construction project in India is offered a consulting position by a supplier providing materials/equipment for the project. Accepting the offer could lead to biased decision-making and compromise the project's integrity. The legal aspect may not explicitly prohibit accepting such offers, but the ethical aspect requires avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining professional impartiality. Similar situation will occur when a civil /structural engineering consultant of a project have stakes in a construction company. This will lead to serious breach of conflict of interest and biased decisions. Many engineers in top position do favor a particular company which they intend to join after retirement by awarding good contracts.

Ethical Standards vs. Pressure from Authorities

Civil Engineers encounter situations where political or corporate authorities pressure them to bypass ethical standards for expediency or financial gain because ethical decisions are often subjective and may go un- noticed and further, they may not be punishable by law. Many accidents and collapses have occurred in past owing to expediting the work to meet the targets under political pressures. Engineers find themselves in ethical dilemma in such a situation.

 Inadequate Data and Uncertainty

Engineers often work with incomplete or uncertain data, posing ethical dilemmas when making critical decisions about project design and implementation. During the planning of the Delhi Metro, engineers had to make decisions based on limited data about the city's geological conditions, posing risks. Transmission towers’ foundations are often constructed without geological subsurface investigations. Most retrofitting work is conducted without having detailed information about the existing structure. Data collection or necessary investigations may lead to little more cost and time but due to owner’s pressure Structural Engineer is always in ethical dilemma.

Intellectual Property and Confidentiality

Engineers do face ethical dilemmas related to the protection of intellectual property and confidentiality, especially when changing employers or collaborating with multiple stakeholders. In case an engineer is moving from one construction firm to another he/she may possess proprietary information from their previous employer, leading to potential conflicts over intellectual property rights. How should an engineer in this kind of situation act is an ethical dilemma? Engineering design consultants often face such situation as they are privy to such proprietary information.

Corruption and Bribery

Corruption and bribery are significant challenges in the construction and engineering sectors, particularly in countries like India, where such practices can undermine the integrity of projects. Instances of bribery in the allocation of contracts for infrastructure projects can lead to the selection of subpar contractors, compromising the quality and safety of the projects. Bribery or other kind of inducements many leads to compromise in designs, testing, certification, favorable contract conditions and specifications. Bribery/inducement is neither ethical nor legal. Engineers do need to pay bribe to government officials for getting necessary approvals. In such a situation nonpaying bribe means delays or rejections and paying means committing a legal crime. It is a very clear case of ethical dilemma.

Ethical dilemmas in civil engineering often extend beyond legal requirements. While laws provide a baseline for acceptable conduct, ethical considerations demand a higher standard of integrity, responsibility, and concern for public welfare and environmental sustainability.

In India, there is currently no regulatory mechanism to oversee the engineering profession. The quality of education varies significantly across different technical institutions, resulting in many engineering graduates lacking fundamental skills. Moreover, there is no system in place to assess the competence of professional engineers. There are multiple professional engineering institutions and bodies, but membership in these organizations is not mandated by law. While many of these institutions have codes of ethics, enforcement is weak, and most members remain unaware of these ethical guidelines. These professional bodies lack teeth. Civil engineering projects typically involve many stakeholders. Unfortunately, large building and infrastructure projects often come under the influence of politicians, bureaucrats, and criminals, where ethical considerations seem alien.

Following Code of Ethics and practicing ethical engineering is crucial for Civil/Structural engineering profession as it is the backbone of our modern infrastructure, facilitating urbanization, economic growth, and improved quality of life. Such utilities need to be user friendly, safe, durable and sustainable apart from being cost effective. There is high time we do the following:

• Adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and bribery. Implement transparent procurement processes, third party checks, regular safety audits, and strictly enforce anti-corruption laws. with professional organizations that promote ethical conduct and provide support in addressing corruption can empower engineers to act ethically.

•  Respect intellectual property rights and confidentiality agreements with the employers and clients. Clear contractual agreements and non-disclosure agreements can define the scope of information sharing and protect intellectual property. Fostering a culture of respect for intellectual property within the engineering profession can promote ethical conduct and help engineers managing ethical dilemmas.

•  Prioritize data collection/investigations and analysis to minimize uncertainties. When working with inadequate data, adopt conservative design approaches and incorporate safety margins to account for potential risks. Further such assumptions and conservative approaches must be duly documented and disclosed. It will minimize the ethical dilemmas on account of this.

• Should stand firm in their commitment to ethical standards and refuse to yield to undue pressure. Professional engineering bodies and associations can provide support and advocacy for engineers facing such dilemmas. Promoting a culture of ethical integrity within engineering organizations can empower engineers to uphold ethical standards despite external pressures. Just remember fundamental engineering principle that It is always better to stand firm than to yield.

• Must uphold strict safety standards and refuse to compromise on quality. Transparent communication with stakeholders about the long-term benefits of using high-quality materials/practices and technology can mitigate cost pressures. Implementing rigorous quality control measures and regular inspections can ensure adherence to safety standards, thereby preventing such catastrophic events. It will reduce the occurrence of such ethical dilemmas.

• Should prioritize environmentally sustainable practices by conducting thorough environmental impact assessments and implementing mitigation measures. Engaging with stakeholders to understand their concerns and incorporating their input into project planning can help balance developmental needs with environmental sustainability. By adopting sustainable construction practices and materials, engineers can minimize environmental harm. No doubt it is difficult to manage as most of the time these decisions are taken for reasons other than technical.

• Must maintain transparency and disclose any potential conflicts of interest to their employers or relevant authorities. Establishing clear policies and guidelines for handling conflicts of interest within engineering firms can ensure impartial decision-making. Implementing a system of checks and balances, such as peer reviews, can further mitigate the risk of biased decisions.

  
  

To break the cycle of unethical practices and to address the root causes a culture of ethics and accountability must be cultivated. It is important to ensure transparency in processes, strengthening the broken legal framework /oversight, promoting sustainability, promoting education & awareness and empowering whistle-blowers. By adopting best practices, engaging with stakeholders, and fostering a culture of ethical conduct, engineers can contribute to the development of safe, sustainable, and high-quality infrastructure. In engineering, the spirit of the law is often more important than the letter of the law.

In India, the Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2014 is the primary legislation that provides a legal framework for the protection of whistleblowers. Purpose of the act is to provide a mechanism for the disclosure of information by whistleblowers regarding corruption, willful misuse of power, or criminal offenses by public servants. The Act applies to public servants, including employees of government departments, public sector undertakings, and other entities where public funds are involved. The Act offers safeguards against victimization, discrimination, or harassment of whistleblowers. It ensures that individuals who report misconduct are protected from any adverse consequences. Whistleblowers can report their concerns to designated authorities, such as the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) or the Lokpal. The Act ensures that the identity of the whistleblower is kept confidential to protect them from potential retaliation. Even under the Companies Act, 2013 Under Section 177 of the Companies Act, 2013, certain companies are required to establish a vigil mechanism or whistleblower policy. This policy allows employees and stakeholders to report unethical behaviors, fraud, or violations of the company's code of conduct2. It is applicable to listed companies, companies accepting deposits from the public, and companies borrowing more than ₹50 crores from banks and public financial institutions. The policy needs to provide adequate safeguards against victimization of whistleblowers and ensure that complaints are handled confidentially and impartially. While the Whistleblowers Protection Act primarily covers public servants, private companies are encouraged to adopt their own whistleblower policies to promote transparency and accountability. These policies aim to create a safe and transparent environment for reporting misconduct and ensuring that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation. However, these provisions are very rarely used in India.

Unethical practices lie at the heart of India’s construction quality issues. By addressing these practices through systemic reforms, stricter enforcement, and cultural change, India can build infrastructure that is safe, durable, and sustainable. Ethical engineering is not just a moral imperative but also a necessity for the nation’s progress. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

You may listen to episode -1 of my podcast Samवाद published on November 15,2021. It is a 1 hours and 24 minutes conversation on ethics with one of my fellow structural engineers. You may click on following links to listen to it.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Z54jaHpREXGkt2MMK74Ur?si=y_hc3iwTQeWQvJVWQ18Vww

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/samvad/id1560079532?i=1000541907417

[MANOJ MITTAL, NOIDA, DECEMBER 10, 2025]

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