Short... Yes, one of the first engineering studies was done by a Boing engineer regarding airframes. It was shown dramatically that even mild steel does that, when a 30 y/o ship slit i half. ~ in the 40s.(CRS) The process itself though is a solid state phenominon that was studied in physics, but for different reasons. I just gave the WWII date, because the subject occurs in 50s era metallurgy and engineering books. I realize that there are different quality and levels of texts and that more detailed knowledge doesn't spread far.
Yes, I have dealt with politicians. I can't say much now, except they are just people. It's like advising on critical car work. The car owner has to make a decision regarding the mechanic's claims. The mechanic may not be able to say when the wheel will fall off, but he can make the case as best he can that it will in fact do so. The pol must make the decision for the community regarding public property. Something like a bridge is simple. If the engineer sees somehting like a bridge containing fatigue cracks, or even unsafe stress levels, his duty is to inform both the exec and the public, because it's public property and safety involved. The public certainly understands bridges and "public" buildings collapsing, and anyone that is a pol certainly should.
> “If the engineer sees somehting like a bridge containing fatigue cracks, or even unsafe stress levels, his duty is to inform both the exec and the public, because it’s public property and safety involved.”
That is exactly what is done now. The reports that they are finally digging up now state the condition and are a matter of public record. There are something like 70,000 or something bridges in the US that have lower ratings than this one. My local newspaper just published the ratings of several nearby bridges. Do you think they would waste one line of print on that before this? Your belief it the integrity and rationality of politicians is touching. I have not had that experience. They really, really are slime.