This page shows the pre-commit working store (the raw extraction under review). This case was committed to OntServe on 2026-07-13 15:59; the committed record differs by design (deduplication, typing, and agent binding are applied at commit). View the committed record
Overview
Provenance Draft

PASS 3: Temporal Dynamics

Case 74: Professional Competence In Current Structural Design

27 entities 4 actions 6 events 8 causal chains 8 temporal relations
Timeline Overview
Action Event 13 sequenced markers
Structural System Design During the building project design phase, before construction
Design Completion At the conclusion of the design phase, before construction
New Standards Publication Recently, before Engineer A's design work
Upon appointment by the county commissioners in precedent BER Case 85-3, prior to the present case
During the design/build industrial facility project in precedent BER Case 94-8, prior to the present case
During construction of the industrial facility in precedent BER Case 94-8, prior to the present case
Professional Currency Maintenance Ongoing during Engineer A's practice, prior to and during the design
Retrospective Ethical Evaluation After the structural failure and its investigation
Design Incorporation After Engineer A completes his design
Building Construction After the design was incorporated into plans and specifications
Structural Damage Within one year following construction
Failure Cause Determination After the structural damage occurred
OWL-Time Temporal Structure 8 relations time: = w3.org/2006/time
severe weather structural damage time:intervalBefore investigation/determination that new parameters would have prevented failure
development and publication of new severe weather design standards time:intervalBefore Engineer A's completion of the structural design
Engineer A's design completion time:intervalBefore incorporation of design into plans and specifications
incorporation of design into plans and specifications time:intervalBefore construction of the building
construction of the building time:intervalBefore severe weather structural damage
prior BER precedent decisions (Cases 85-3, 94-8, 98-8) time:intervalBefore Board's consideration of the present case
reasonable maturation period of innovative techniques time:intervalBefore techniques becoming standards that should be followed
Engineer A's design activity time:intervalBefore new parameters attaining status as established 'standards'
Extracted Actions (4)
Volitional professional decisions with intentions and ethical context

Description: Engineer A engaged in an ongoing general effort to stay current on changing structural design trends, but during this effort did not become familiar with the recent technical literature publishing the new severe weather design standards.

Temporal Marker: Ongoing during Engineer A's practice, prior to and during the design interval

Mental State: Diligent but incompletely informed, unaware of the most recent technical literature

Intended Outcome: Remaining current on structural design trends applicable to his practice

Obligation Engagement:
Fulfills (1)
  • Duty to Seek to Stay Current on Design Trends and Technology
Guided By Principles:
  • Professional Competence
Required Capabilities:
Ability to monitor and evaluate technical literature
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • fulfillsObligation: Duty to Seek to Stay Current on Design Trends and Technology
  • guidedByPrinciple: Professional Competence
  • requiresCapability: Ability to monitor and evaluate technical literature
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A engaged in an ongoing general effort to stay current on changing structural design trends, but during this effort did not become familiar with the recent technical literature publishing the new severe weather design standards.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: Ongoing during Engineer A's practice, prior to and during the design
  • eventRoleContext content: Structural Engineer
  • hasMentalState content: Diligent but incompletely informed, unaware of the most recent technical literature
  • intendedOutcome content: Remaining current on structural design trends applicable to his practice
  • textReferences content: While Engineer A generally attempts to stay current on changing structural design trends, Engineer A was not familiar with this recent technical literature.
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 1
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Action_Professional_Currency_Maintenance",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206463+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A engaged in an ongoing general effort to stay current on changing structural design trends, but during this effort did not become familiar with the recent technical literature publishing the new severe weather design standards.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "Structural Engineer",
  "proeth:fulfillsObligation": [
    "Duty to Seek to Stay Current on Design Trends and Technology"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Professional Competence"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "Diligent but incompletely informed, unaware of the most recent technical literature",
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Remaining current on structural design trends applicable to his practice",
  "proeth:raisesObligation": [],
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Ability to monitor and evaluate technical literature"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Ongoing during Engineer A\u0027s practice, prior to and during the design",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 1,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "While Engineer A generally attempts to stay current on changing structural design trends, Engineer A was not familiar with this recent technical literature."
  ],
  "proeth:violatesObligation": [],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Professional Currency Maintenance"
}

Description: Engineer A designed the structural system for a building in a severe weather region based on his experience and what he believed constituted sound structural engineering principles, without incorporating recently published severe weather design parameters he was unaware of.

Temporal Marker: During the building project design phase, before construction interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Design Lacking New Severe Weather Parameters

Mental State: Deliberate and good faith, believing his design reflected sound structural engineering principles

Intended Outcome: A structurally sound building design appropriate for the severe weather conditions of the region

Obligation Engagement:
At stake (1)
  • Obligation to Practice in a Professional and Competent Manner
Guided By Principles:
  • Professional Competence
Required Capabilities:
Structural design expertise Knowledge of regional severe weather conditions
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Professional Competence
  • requiresCapability: Structural design expertise; Knowledge of regional severe weather conditions
  • initiates: Design Lacking New Severe Weather Parameters
  • raisesObligation: Obligation to Practice in a Professional and Competent Manner
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A designed the structural system for a building in a severe weather region based on his experience and what he believed constituted sound structural engineering principles, without incorporating recently published severe weather design parameters he was unaware of.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: During the building project design phase, before construction
  • eventRoleContext content: Structural Engineer
  • hasMentalState content: Deliberate and good faith, believing his design reflected sound structural engineering principles
  • intendedOutcome content: A structurally sound building design appropriate for the severe weather conditions of the region
  • textReferences content: Engineer A, who has experience with structural designs in this area of the country, designs the structural system based upon what Engineer A believes constitutes sound structural engineering principles.
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 3
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Action_Structural_System_Design",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206302+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A designed the structural system for a building in a severe weather region based on his experience and what he believed constituted sound structural engineering principles, without incorporating recently published severe weather design parameters he was unaware of.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "Structural Engineer",
  "proeth:fulfillsObligation": [],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Professional Competence"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "Deliberate and good faith, believing his design reflected sound structural engineering principles",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Design Lacking New Severe Weather Parameters"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "A structurally sound building design appropriate for the severe weather conditions of the region",
  "proeth:raisesObligation": [
    "Obligation to Practice in a Professional and Competent Manner"
  ],
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Structural design expertise",
    "Knowledge of regional severe weather conditions"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "During the building project design phase, before construction",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 3,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Engineer A, who has experience with structural designs in this area of the country, designs the structural system based upon what Engineer A believes constitutes sound structural engineering principles."
  ],
  "proeth:violatesObligation": [],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Structural System Design"
}

Description: Engineer A completed the structural design, which was subsequently incorporated into the plans and specifications for the building that was then built.

Temporal Marker: At the conclusion of the design phase, before construction instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Design Incorporated into Plans and Specifications

Mental State: Deliberate, confident the design was based on sound structural engineering principles

Intended Outcome: Delivery of a completed structural design for incorporation into the building plans and specifications

Obligation Engagement:
Fulfills (1)
  • Obligation to Practice in a Professional and Competent Manner
Guided By Principles:
  • Professional Competence
Required Capabilities:
Structural design expertise Preparation of design documents
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • fulfillsObligation: Obligation to Practice in a Professional and Competent Manner
  • guidedByPrinciple: Professional Competence
  • requiresCapability: Structural design expertise; Preparation of design documents
  • initiates: Design Incorporated into Plans and Specifications
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A completed the structural design, which was subsequently incorporated into the plans and specifications for the building that was then built.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: At the conclusion of the design phase, before construction
  • eventRoleContext content: Structural Engineer
  • hasMentalState content: Deliberate, confident the design was based on sound structural engineering principles
  • intendedOutcome content: Delivery of a completed structural design for incorporation into the building plans and specifications
  • textReferences content: Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building and the building is built.
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 4
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Action_Design_Completion",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206506+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A completed the structural design, which was subsequently incorporated into the plans and specifications for the building that was then built.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "Structural Engineer",
  "proeth:fulfillsObligation": [
    "Obligation to Practice in a Professional and Competent Manner"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Professional Competence"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "Deliberate, confident the design was based on sound structural engineering principles",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Design Incorporated into Plans and Specifications"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Delivery of a completed structural design for incorporation into the building plans and specifications",
  "proeth:raisesObligation": [],
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Structural design expertise",
    "Preparation of design documents"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "At the conclusion of the design phase, before construction",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 4,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building and the building is built."
  ],
  "proeth:violatesObligation": [],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Design Completion"
}

Description: After the structural failure, the Board evaluated whether Engineer A's conduct demonstrated the moral culpability required for a finding of unethical conduct, and concluded that Engineer A's actions were within the basic standards of the profession because the new parameters had not yet become standards.

Temporal Marker: After the structural failure and its investigation instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Engineer A Found Not Unethical

Mental State: Deliberative, weighing precedent cases and the distinction between negligence and ethical culpability

Intended Outcome: A reasoned determination of whether Engineer A acted unethically

Guided By Principles:
  • Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
  • Professional Competence
Required Capabilities:
Ethical review judgment Application of the NSPE Code of Ethics and precedent
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Public Health, Safety, and Welfare; Professional Competence
  • requiresCapability: Ethical review judgment; Application of the NSPE Code of Ethics and precedent
  • initiates: Engineer A Found Not Unethical
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: After the structural failure, the Board evaluated whether Engineer A's conduct demonstrated the moral culpability required for a finding of unethical conduct, and concluded that Engineer A's actions were within the basic standards of the profession because the new parameters had not yet become standards.
  • hasAgent content: NSPE Board of Ethical Review
  • temporalMarker content: After the structural failure and its investigation
  • hasMentalState content: Deliberative, weighing precedent cases and the distinction between negligence and ethical culpability
  • intendedOutcome content: A reasoned determination of whether Engineer A acted unethically
  • textReferences content: Under the facts presented, the Board is of the view that Engineer A’s actions were within the basic standards of the profession of engineering, as well as most professions and the Board cannot conclude that Engineer A acted unethically.
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 10
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Action_Retrospective_Ethical_Evaluation",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206600+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "After the structural failure, the Board evaluated whether Engineer A\u0027s conduct demonstrated the moral culpability required for a finding of unethical conduct, and concluded that Engineer A\u0027s actions were within the basic standards of the profession because the new parameters had not yet become standards.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Public Health, Safety, and Welfare",
    "Professional Competence"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "NSPE Board of Ethical Review",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "Deliberative, weighing precedent cases and the distinction between negligence and ethical culpability",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Engineer A Found Not Unethical"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "A reasoned determination of whether Engineer A acted unethically",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Ethical review judgment",
    "Application of the NSPE Code of Ethics and precedent"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "After the structural failure and its investigation",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 10,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Under the facts presented, the Board is of the view that Engineer A\u2019s actions were within the basic standards of the profession of engineering, as well as most professions and the Board cannot conclude that Engineer A acted unethically."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Retrospective Ethical Evaluation"
}
Extracted Events (6)
Occurrences that trigger ethical considerations and state changes

Description: New and improved severe weather design methods addressing the region's severe weather conditions were published in the most recent technical literature, before Engineer A completed his design.

Temporal Marker: Recently, before Engineer A's design work instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • New Design Methods Available
  • Engineer A Unfamiliar With Recent Literature
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: New Design Methods Available; Engineer A Unfamiliar With Recent Literature
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: New and improved severe weather design methods addressing the region's severe weather conditions were published in the most recent technical literature, before Engineer A completed his design.
  • temporalMarker content: Recently, before Engineer A's design work
  • textReferences content: new and improved design methods have recently been developed to address the severe weather conditions in the location in which Engineer A practices; These new and improved severe weather design standards have been published in the most recent technical literature.
  • eventType content: exogenous
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 2
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Event_New_Standards_Publication",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206681+00:00",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.9",
  "proeth:description": "New and improved severe weather design methods addressing the region\u0027s severe weather conditions were published in the most recent technical literature, before Engineer A completed his design.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "exogenous",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "New Design Methods Available",
    "Engineer A Unfamiliar With Recent Literature"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Recently, before Engineer A\u0027s design work",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 2,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "new and improved design methods have recently been developed to address the severe weather conditions in the location in which Engineer A practices",
    "These new and improved severe weather design standards have been published in the most recent technical literature."
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "New Standards Publication"
}

Description: Engineer A's completed structural design was incorporated into the plans and specifications for the building project.

Temporal Marker: After Engineer A completes his design instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Design Incorporated In Plans

Caused By Action: Action_Design_Completion

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Action_Design_Completion
  • initiates: Design Incorporated In Plans
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A's completed structural design was incorporated into the plans and specifications for the building project.
  • temporalMarker content: After Engineer A completes his design
  • textReferences content: Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building
  • eventType content: outcome
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 5
  • confidence assessment: 0.88
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Event_Design_Incorporation",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206717+00:00",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Action_Design_Completion",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.88",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A\u0027s completed structural design was incorporated into the plans and specifications for the building project.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "outcome",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Design Incorporated In Plans"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "After Engineer A completes his design",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 5,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building"
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Design Incorporation"
}

Description: The building was constructed according to the plans and specifications that incorporated Engineer A's structural design.

Temporal Marker: After the design was incorporated into plans and specifications interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Building Constructed

Caused By Action: Action_Design_Completion

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Action_Design_Completion
  • initiates: Building Constructed
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The building was constructed according to the plans and specifications that incorporated Engineer A's structural design.
  • temporalMarker content: After the design was incorporated into plans and specifications
  • textReferences content: the building is built
  • eventType content: outcome
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 6
  • confidence assessment: 0.9
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Event_Building_Construction",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206765+00:00",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Action_Design_Completion",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.9",
  "proeth:description": "The building was constructed according to the plans and specifications that incorporated Engineer A\u0027s structural design.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "outcome",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Building Constructed"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "After the design was incorporated into plans and specifications",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 6,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "the building is built"
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Building Construction"
}

Description: Severe weather conditions struck the region within one year of the building's construction, subjecting the structure to the loads the new design parameters were developed to address.

Temporal Marker: Within one year following construction interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Severe Weather Loading
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: Severe Weather Loading
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Severe weather conditions struck the region within one year of the building's construction, subjecting the structure to the loads the new design parameters were developed to address.
  • temporalMarker content: Within one year following construction
  • textReferences content: Within one year following construction, severe weather conditions cause significant structural damage to the building.
  • eventType content: exogenous
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 7
  • confidence assessment: 0.93
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Event_Severe_Weather_Occurrence",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206794+00:00",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.93",
  "proeth:description": "Severe weather conditions struck the region within one year of the building\u0027s construction, subjecting the structure to the loads the new design parameters were developed to address.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "exogenous",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Severe Weather Loading"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Within one year following construction",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 7,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Within one year following construction, severe weather conditions cause significant structural damage to the building."
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Severe Weather Occurrence"
}

Description: The building suffered significant structural damage when severe weather acted on a structural system designed without the new severe weather design parameters.

Temporal Marker: Within one year following construction instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • Building Structurally Damaged
  • Design Failure Under Review

Caused By Action: Action_Structural_System_Design

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Action_Structural_System_Design
  • initiates: Building Structurally Damaged; Design Failure Under Review
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The building suffered significant structural damage when severe weather acted on a structural system designed without the new severe weather design parameters.
  • temporalMarker content: Within one year following construction
  • textReferences content: severe weather conditions cause significant structural damage to the building
  • eventType content: outcome
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 8
  • confidence assessment: 0.92
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Event_Structural_Damage",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206819+00:00",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Action_Structural_System_Design",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.92",
  "proeth:description": "The building suffered significant structural damage when severe weather acted on a structural system designed without the new severe weather design parameters.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "outcome",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Building Structurally Damaged",
    "Design Failure Under Review"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Within one year following construction",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 8,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "severe weather conditions cause significant structural damage to the building"
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Structural Damage"
}

Description: An after-the-fact determination established that if Engineer A had followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred.

Temporal Marker: After the structural damage occurred instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Design Causation Established
Terminates (1)
  • Design Failure Under Review
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: Design Causation Established
  • terminates: Design Failure Under Review
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: An after-the-fact determination established that if Engineer A had followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred.
  • temporalMarker content: After the structural damage occurred
  • textReferences content: It is determined that had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred.
  • eventType content: outcome
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 9
  • confidence assessment: 0.85
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#Event_Failure_Cause_Determination",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206841+00:00",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.85",
  "proeth:description": "An after-the-fact determination established that if Engineer A had followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "outcome",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Design Causation Established"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "After the structural damage occurred",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 9,
  "proeth:terminates": [
    "Design Failure Under Review"
  ],
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "It is determined that had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred."
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Failure Cause Determination"
}
Causal Chains (8)
NESS test analysis: Necessary Element of Sufficient Set

Causal Language: Engineer A, who has experience with structural designs in this area of the country, designs the structural system based upon what Engineer A believes constitutes sound structural engineering principles.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Engineer A's decision to design based on his existing knowledge and experience
  • Engineer A's belief that his approach constituted sound structural engineering principles
  • Engineer A's unfamiliarity with the recent technical literature on severe weather design
Sufficient Factors:
  • Engineer A's design effort using established (but not most recent) principles was sufficient to produce a completed design lacking the new severe weather parameters
Counterfactual Test: Had Engineer A not undertaken and completed the design on the basis of his existing knowledge, the design lacking the new severe weather parameters would not have been produced
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Structural System Design
    Engineer A designs the structural system using what he believes are sound principles
  2. Professional Currency Maintenance (gap)
    Despite general efforts to stay current, Engineer A remains unaware of new severe weather design literature
  3. Design Completion
    Engineer A completes a design that does not incorporate the new severe weather design parameters
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Structural System Design
  • effect: Design Completion
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Engineer A, who has experience with structural designs in this area of the country, designs the structural system based upon what Engineer A believes constitutes sound structural engineering principles.
  • necessaryFactors content: Engineer A's decision to design based on his existing knowledge and experience; Engineer A's belief that his approach constituted sound structural engineering principles; Engineer A's unfamiliarity with the recent technical literature on severe weather design
  • sufficientFactors content: Engineer A's design effort using established (but not most recent) principles was sufficient to produce a completed design lacking the new severe weather parameters
  • counterfactual content: Had Engineer A not undertaken and completed the design on the basis of his existing knowledge, the design lacking the new severe weather parameters would not have been produced
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A had knowledge and experience in structural design in the region and believed his design was sound, but was not familiar with the recently published severe weather design literature
  • interveningFactors content: New design methods were only recently published and had not become established standards
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Structural System Design', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A designs the structural system using what he believes are sound principles'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Professional Currency Maintenance (gap)', 'proeth:description': 'Despite general efforts to stay current, Engineer A remains unaware of new severe weather design literature'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Design Completion', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A completes a design that does not incorporate the new severe weather design parameters'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#CausalChain_1",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206900+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A had knowledge and experience in structural design in the region and believed his design was sound, but was not familiar with the recently published severe weather design literature",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Engineer A, who has experience with structural designs in this area of the country, designs the structural system based upon what Engineer A believes constitutes sound structural engineering principles.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A designs the structural system using what he believes are sound principles",
      "proeth:element": "Structural System Design",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Despite general efforts to stay current, Engineer A remains unaware of new severe weather design literature",
      "proeth:element": "Professional Currency Maintenance (gap)",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A completes a design that does not incorporate the new severe weather design parameters",
      "proeth:element": "Design Completion",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Structural System Design",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had Engineer A not undertaken and completed the design on the basis of his existing knowledge, the design lacking the new severe weather parameters would not have been produced",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Design Completion",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "New design methods were only recently published and had not become established standards"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Engineer A\u0027s decision to design based on his existing knowledge and experience",
    "Engineer A\u0027s belief that his approach constituted sound structural engineering principles",
    "Engineer A\u0027s unfamiliarity with the recent technical literature on severe weather design"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Engineer A\u0027s design effort using established (but not most recent) principles was sufficient to produce a completed design lacking the new severe weather parameters"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: Within one year following construction, severe weather conditions cause significant structural damage to the building.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Occurrence of severe weather conditions within one year of construction
  • A building whose structural system did not follow the new severe weather design parameters
Sufficient Factors:
  • Severe weather acting on the vulnerable structural system was sufficient to cause significant structural damage
Counterfactual Test: It is determined that had the severe weather design parameters been followed, the failure would not have occurred; likewise, absent the severe weather event, the damage would not have occurred at that time
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: No agent (natural event); Engineer A bears indirect responsibility for the building's vulnerability
Type: indirect
Within Agent Control: No

Causal Sequence:
  1. Building Construction
    Building is built with a structural system lacking new severe weather parameters
  2. Severe Weather Occurrence
    Severe weather strikes within one year of construction
  3. Structural Damage
    The building suffers significant structural damage
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Severe Weather Occurrence
  • effect: Structural Damage
  • responsibleAgent: No agent (natural event); Engineer A bears indirect responsibility for the building's vulnerability
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Within one year following construction, severe weather conditions cause significant structural damage to the building.
  • necessaryFactors content: Occurrence of severe weather conditions within one year of construction; A building whose structural system did not follow the new severe weather design parameters
  • sufficientFactors content: Severe weather acting on the vulnerable structural system was sufficient to cause significant structural damage
  • counterfactual content: It is determined that had the severe weather design parameters been followed, the failure would not have occurred; likewise, absent the severe weather event, the damage would not have occurred at that time
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew the area experiences severe weather conditions but was unfamiliar with the new design methods addressing them
  • interveningFactors content: Natural severe weather event; Timing within one year of construction
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Building Construction', 'proeth:description': 'Building is built with a structural system lacking new severe weather parameters'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Severe Weather Occurrence', 'proeth:description': 'Severe weather strikes within one year of construction'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Structural Damage', 'proeth:description': 'The building suffers significant structural damage'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: indirect
  • withinAgentControl assessment: False
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#CausalChain_5",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206997+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew the area experiences severe weather conditions but was unfamiliar with the new design methods addressing them",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Within one year following construction, severe weather conditions cause significant structural damage to the building.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Building is built with a structural system lacking new severe weather parameters",
      "proeth:element": "Building Construction",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Severe weather strikes within one year of construction",
      "proeth:element": "Severe Weather Occurrence",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The building suffers significant structural damage",
      "proeth:element": "Structural Damage",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Severe Weather Occurrence",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "It is determined that had the severe weather design parameters been followed, the failure would not have occurred; likewise, absent the severe weather event, the damage would not have occurred at that time",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Structural Damage",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Natural severe weather event",
    "Timing within one year of construction"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Occurrence of severe weather conditions within one year of construction",
    "A building whose structural system did not follow the new severe weather design parameters"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "indirect",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "No agent (natural event); Engineer A bears indirect responsibility for the building\u0027s vulnerability",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Severe weather acting on the vulnerable structural system was sufficient to cause significant structural damage"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": false
}

Causal Language: While Engineer A generally attempts to stay current on changing structural design trends, Engineer A was not familiar with this recent technical literature.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Publication of new severe weather design methods in recent technical literature
  • Engineer A's currency efforts failing to capture the recent publication
  • Engineer A proceeding with design without the new parameters
Sufficient Factors:
  • General but incomplete currency efforts, combined with the recency of the publication, were sufficient for the design to omit the new parameters
Counterfactual Test: Had Engineer A's currency efforts captured the new literature, the design likely would have incorporated the severe weather parameters and, per the determination, the failure would not have occurred
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A
Type: indirect
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. New Standards Publication
    New and improved severe weather design methods are published in recent technical literature
  2. Professional Currency Maintenance
    Engineer A's general currency efforts fail to include the recent literature
  3. Structural System Design
    Engineer A designs the structural system without the new severe weather parameters
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Professional Currency Maintenance
  • effect: Structural System Design
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: While Engineer A generally attempts to stay current on changing structural design trends, Engineer A was not familiar with this recent technical literature.
  • necessaryFactors content: Publication of new severe weather design methods in recent technical literature; Engineer A's currency efforts failing to capture the recent publication; Engineer A proceeding with design without the new parameters
  • sufficientFactors content: General but incomplete currency efforts, combined with the recency of the publication, were sufficient for the design to omit the new parameters
  • counterfactual content: Had Engineer A's currency efforts captured the new literature, the design likely would have incorporated the severe weather parameters and, per the determination, the failure would not have occurred
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew he had a duty to stay current and made general efforts to do so, but did not know of the specific new severe weather design literature
  • interveningFactors content: The new methods were recently developed and published, and the facts do not indicate they constituted 'standards'
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'New Standards Publication', 'proeth:description': 'New and improved severe weather design methods are published in recent technical literature'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Professional Currency Maintenance', 'proeth:description': "Engineer A's general currency efforts fail to include the recent literature"}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Structural System Design', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A designs the structural system without the new severe weather parameters'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: indirect
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#CausalChain_2",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206930+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew he had a duty to stay current and made general efforts to do so, but did not know of the specific new severe weather design literature",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "While Engineer A generally attempts to stay current on changing structural design trends, Engineer A was not familiar with this recent technical literature.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "New and improved severe weather design methods are published in recent technical literature",
      "proeth:element": "New Standards Publication",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A\u0027s general currency efforts fail to include the recent literature",
      "proeth:element": "Professional Currency Maintenance",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A designs the structural system without the new severe weather parameters",
      "proeth:element": "Structural System Design",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Professional Currency Maintenance",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had Engineer A\u0027s currency efforts captured the new literature, the design likely would have incorporated the severe weather parameters and, per the determination, the failure would not have occurred",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Structural System Design",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "The new methods were recently developed and published, and the facts do not indicate they constituted \u0027standards\u0027"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Publication of new severe weather design methods in recent technical literature",
    "Engineer A\u0027s currency efforts failing to capture the recent publication",
    "Engineer A proceeding with design without the new parameters"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "indirect",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "General but incomplete currency efforts, combined with the recency of the publication, were sufficient for the design to omit the new parameters"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building and the building is built.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Completion of Engineer A's structural design
  • Acceptance of the design into the project's plans and specifications
Sufficient Factors:
  • The completed design combined with the project team's adoption of it into plans and specifications was sufficient for incorporation
Counterfactual Test: Without the completed design, there would have been nothing to incorporate into the plans and specifications
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A
Type: shared
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Design Completion
    Engineer A completes the structural design
  2. Design Incorporation
    The design is incorporated into the plans and specifications
  3. Building Construction
    The building is built to those plans and specifications
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Design Completion
  • effect: Design Incorporation
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building and the building is built.
  • necessaryFactors content: Completion of Engineer A's structural design; Acceptance of the design into the project's plans and specifications
  • sufficientFactors content: The completed design combined with the project team's adoption of it into plans and specifications was sufficient for incorporation
  • counterfactual content: Without the completed design, there would have been nothing to incorporate into the plans and specifications
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A believed the completed design followed sound structural engineering principles
  • interveningFactors content: Actions of the project team incorporating the design into plans and specifications
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Design Completion', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A completes the structural design'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Design Incorporation', 'proeth:description': 'The design is incorporated into the plans and specifications'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Building Construction', 'proeth:description': 'The building is built to those plans and specifications'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: shared
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#CausalChain_3",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206955+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A believed the completed design followed sound structural engineering principles",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building and the building is built.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A completes the structural design",
      "proeth:element": "Design Completion",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The design is incorporated into the plans and specifications",
      "proeth:element": "Design Incorporation",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The building is built to those plans and specifications",
      "proeth:element": "Building Construction",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Design Completion",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without the completed design, there would have been nothing to incorporate into the plans and specifications",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Design Incorporation",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Actions of the project team incorporating the design into plans and specifications"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Completion of Engineer A\u0027s structural design",
    "Acceptance of the design into the project\u0027s plans and specifications"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "shared",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "The completed design combined with the project team\u0027s adoption of it into plans and specifications was sufficient for incorporation"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building and the building is built.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Plans and specifications containing Engineer A's structural design
  • Execution of construction according to those plans
Sufficient Factors:
  • Incorporated plans plus construction execution were sufficient to produce a built structure embodying the deficient design
Counterfactual Test: Had the design not been incorporated into the plans and specifications, the building as built would not have embodied Engineer A's structural system
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Project team / contractor (with Engineer A as designer of record)
Type: shared
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Design Incorporation
    Engineer A's design becomes part of the plans and specifications
  2. Building Construction
    The building is constructed per the plans
  3. Vulnerability Established
    The completed building embodies a structural system not designed to the new severe weather parameters
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Design Incorporation
  • effect: Building Construction
  • responsibleAgent: Project team / contractor (with Engineer A as designer of record)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building and the building is built.
  • necessaryFactors content: Plans and specifications containing Engineer A's structural design; Execution of construction according to those plans
  • sufficientFactors content: Incorporated plans plus construction execution were sufficient to produce a built structure embodying the deficient design
  • counterfactual content: Had the design not been incorporated into the plans and specifications, the building as built would not have embodied Engineer A's structural system
  • agentKnowledge content: No party is indicated to have known the design omitted the new severe weather parameters
  • interveningFactors content: Construction process following the plans and specifications
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Design Incorporation', 'proeth:description': "Engineer A's design becomes part of the plans and specifications"}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Building Construction', 'proeth:description': 'The building is constructed per the plans'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Vulnerability Established', 'proeth:description': 'The completed building embodies a structural system not designed to the new severe weather parameters'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: shared
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#CausalChain_4",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.206976+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "No party is indicated to have known the design omitted the new severe weather parameters",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building and the building is built.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A\u0027s design becomes part of the plans and specifications",
      "proeth:element": "Design Incorporation",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The building is constructed per the plans",
      "proeth:element": "Building Construction",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The completed building embodies a structural system not designed to the new severe weather parameters",
      "proeth:element": "Vulnerability Established",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Design Incorporation",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had the design not been incorporated into the plans and specifications, the building as built would not have embodied Engineer A\u0027s structural system",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Building Construction",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Construction process following the plans and specifications"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Plans and specifications containing Engineer A\u0027s structural design",
    "Execution of construction according to those plans"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "shared",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Project team / contractor (with Engineer A as designer of record)",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Incorporated plans plus construction execution were sufficient to produce a built structure embodying the deficient design"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: It is determined that had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Design omitting the new severe weather design parameters
  • Incorporation of the design into the built structure
  • Occurrence of severe weather conditions
Sufficient Factors:
  • The deficient design combined with construction and the severe weather event was jointly sufficient to cause the structural failure
Counterfactual Test: Explicitly established by the case: had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A
Type: indirect
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Structural System Design
    Design created without new severe weather parameters
  2. Design Incorporation
    Design incorporated into plans and specifications
  3. Building Construction
    Building constructed per those plans
  4. Severe Weather Occurrence
    Severe weather subjects the structure to loads the design did not address
  5. Structural Damage
    Significant structural damage results
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Structural System Design
  • effect: Structural Damage
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: It is determined that had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred.
  • necessaryFactors content: Design omitting the new severe weather design parameters; Incorporation of the design into the built structure; Occurrence of severe weather conditions
  • sufficientFactors content: The deficient design combined with construction and the severe weather event was jointly sufficient to cause the structural failure
  • counterfactual content: Explicitly established by the case: had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A had experience in the region and believed his principles were sound; he was not familiar with the recent literature and the new methods did not yet constitute 'standards'
  • interveningFactors content: Severe weather event (natural force); Recency of publication of the new design methods; New methods not yet constituting 'standards'
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Structural System Design', 'proeth:description': 'Design created without new severe weather parameters'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Design Incorporation', 'proeth:description': 'Design incorporated into plans and specifications'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Building Construction', 'proeth:description': 'Building constructed per those plans'}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Severe Weather Occurrence', 'proeth:description': 'Severe weather subjects the structure to loads the design did not address'}; {'proeth:step': 5, 'proeth:element': 'Structural Damage', 'proeth:description': 'Significant structural damage results'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: indirect
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#CausalChain_6",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.207016+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A had experience in the region and believed his principles were sound; he was not familiar with the recent literature and the new methods did not yet constitute \u0027standards\u0027",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "It is determined that had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Design created without new severe weather parameters",
      "proeth:element": "Structural System Design",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Design incorporated into plans and specifications",
      "proeth:element": "Design Incorporation",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Building constructed per those plans",
      "proeth:element": "Building Construction",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Severe weather subjects the structure to loads the design did not address",
      "proeth:element": "Severe Weather Occurrence",
      "proeth:step": 4
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Significant structural damage results",
      "proeth:element": "Structural Damage",
      "proeth:step": 5
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Structural System Design",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Explicitly established by the case: had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Structural Damage",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Severe weather event (natural force)",
    "Recency of publication of the new design methods",
    "New methods not yet constituting \u0027standards\u0027"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Design omitting the new severe weather design parameters",
    "Incorporation of the design into the built structure",
    "Occurrence of severe weather conditions"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "indirect",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "The deficient design combined with construction and the severe weather event was jointly sufficient to cause the structural failure"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: It is determined that had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Occurrence of significant structural damage prompting investigation
  • Existence of published severe weather design parameters against which the design could be compared
Sufficient Factors:
  • The failure event plus after-the-fact investigation was sufficient to establish the counterfactual determination
Counterfactual Test: Without the structural damage, no failure investigation or causal determination would have been conducted
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Investigating parties (unnamed)
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Structural Damage
    Building suffers significant structural damage in severe weather
  2. Failure Cause Determination
    Investigation determines the failure would not have occurred had the new parameters been followed
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Structural Damage
  • effect: Failure Cause Determination
  • responsibleAgent: Investigating parties (unnamed)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: It is determined that had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred.
  • necessaryFactors content: Occurrence of significant structural damage prompting investigation; Existence of published severe weather design parameters against which the design could be compared
  • sufficientFactors content: The failure event plus after-the-fact investigation was sufficient to establish the counterfactual determination
  • counterfactual content: Without the structural damage, no failure investigation or causal determination would have been conducted
  • agentKnowledge content: Investigators had access to both the as-built design and the published severe weather design parameters
  • interveningFactors content: Availability of the recent technical literature enabling the comparison
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Structural Damage', 'proeth:description': 'Building suffers significant structural damage in severe weather'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Failure Cause Determination', 'proeth:description': 'Investigation determines the failure would not have occurred had the new parameters been followed'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#CausalChain_7",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.207036+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Investigators had access to both the as-built design and the published severe weather design parameters",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "It is determined that had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural failure would not have occurred.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Building suffers significant structural damage in severe weather",
      "proeth:element": "Structural Damage",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Investigation determines the failure would not have occurred had the new parameters been followed",
      "proeth:element": "Failure Cause Determination",
      "proeth:step": 2
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Structural Damage",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without the structural damage, no failure investigation or causal determination would have been conducted",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Failure Cause Determination",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Availability of the recent technical literature enabling the comparison"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Occurrence of significant structural damage prompting investigation",
    "Existence of published severe weather design parameters against which the design could be compared"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Investigating parties (unnamed)",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "The failure event plus after-the-fact investigation was sufficient to establish the counterfactual determination"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: It is the Board’s view that in order for an engineer to be found unethical for a design failure, the engineer must demonstrate some level of moral culpability.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Determination linking the failure to omission of the new parameters
  • Question of whether Engineer A's conduct was intentional, reckless, or malicious
  • Assessment of whether the new methods constituted 'standards'
Sufficient Factors:
  • The failure determination combined with the Board's culpability framework was sufficient to trigger and resolve the ethical evaluation
Counterfactual Test: Without the failure and the determination of its cause, the Board's retrospective ethical evaluation of Engineer A would not have arisen
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: NSPE Board of Ethical Review
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Failure Cause Determination
    Investigation establishes the design omission as the but-for cause of failure
  2. Retrospective Ethical Evaluation
    Board evaluates whether Engineer A showed moral culpability (intentional, reckless, or malicious conduct)
  3. Ethical Conclusion
    Board concludes Engineer A's actions were within the basic standards of the profession and cannot conclude he acted unethically
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Failure Cause Determination
  • effect: Retrospective Ethical Evaluation
  • responsibleAgent: NSPE Board of Ethical Review
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: It is the Board’s view that in order for an engineer to be found unethical for a design failure, the engineer must demonstrate some level of moral culpability.
  • necessaryFactors content: Determination linking the failure to omission of the new parameters; Question of whether Engineer A's conduct was intentional, reckless, or malicious; Assessment of whether the new methods constituted 'standards'
  • sufficientFactors content: The failure determination combined with the Board's culpability framework was sufficient to trigger and resolve the ethical evaluation
  • counterfactual content: Without the failure and the determination of its cause, the Board's retrospective ethical evaluation of Engineer A would not have arisen
  • agentKnowledge content: The Board knew Engineer A generally attempted to stay current, that the methods were recently published, and that the facts did not indicate the parameters constituted 'standards'
  • interveningFactors content: Precedent cases BER 98-8, 94-8, and 85-3; The new methods not yet constituting generally accepted standards
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Failure Cause Determination', 'proeth:description': 'Investigation establishes the design omission as the but-for cause of failure'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Retrospective Ethical Evaluation', 'proeth:description': 'Board evaluates whether Engineer A showed moral culpability (intentional, reckless, or malicious conduct)'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Ethical Conclusion', 'proeth:description': "Board concludes Engineer A's actions were within the basic standards of the profession and cannot conclude he acted unethically"}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/74#CausalChain_8",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-13T15:40:29.207055+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "The Board knew Engineer A generally attempted to stay current, that the methods were recently published, and that the facts did not indicate the parameters constituted \u0027standards\u0027",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "It is the Board\u2019s view that in order for an engineer to be found unethical for a design failure, the engineer must demonstrate some level of moral culpability.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Investigation establishes the design omission as the but-for cause of failure",
      "proeth:element": "Failure Cause Determination",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Board evaluates whether Engineer A showed moral culpability (intentional, reckless, or malicious conduct)",
      "proeth:element": "Retrospective Ethical Evaluation",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Board concludes Engineer A\u0027s actions were within the basic standards of the profession and cannot conclude he acted unethically",
      "proeth:element": "Ethical Conclusion",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Failure Cause Determination",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without the failure and the determination of its cause, the Board\u0027s retrospective ethical evaluation of Engineer A would not have arisen",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Retrospective Ethical Evaluation",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Precedent cases BER 98-8, 94-8, and 85-3",
    "The new methods not yet constituting generally accepted standards"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Determination linking the failure to omission of the new parameters",
    "Question of whether Engineer A\u0027s conduct was intentional, reckless, or malicious",
    "Assessment of whether the new methods constituted \u0027standards\u0027"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "NSPE Board of Ethical Review",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "The failure determination combined with the Board\u0027s culpability framework was sufficient to trigger and resolve the ethical evaluation"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}
Allen Temporal Relations (8)
Interval algebra relationships with OWL-Time standard properties
From Entity Allen Relation To Entity OWL-Time Property Evidence
severe weather structural damage before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		investigation/determination that new parameters would have prevented failure time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		It is determined that had Engineer A followed the severe weather design parameters, the structural f... [more]
development and publication of new severe weather design standards before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		Engineer A's completion of the structural design time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		new and improved design methods have recently been developed ... published in the most recent techni... [more]
Engineer A's design completion before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		incorporation of design into plans and specifications time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Engineer A completes his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the ... [more]
incorporation of design into plans and specifications before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		construction of the building time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		his design which is later incorporated in the plans and specifications for the building and the buil... [more]
construction of the building before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		severe weather structural damage time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Within one year following construction, severe weather conditions cause significant structural damag... [more]
prior BER precedent decisions (Cases 85-3, 94-8, 98-8) before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		Board's consideration of the present case time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		The NSPE Board of Ethical Review (Board) considered the issue of professional competency on several ... [more]
reasonable maturation period of innovative techniques before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		techniques becoming standards that should be followed time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Following a reasonable period of time, innovative techniques and parameters may be incorporated into... [more]
Engineer A's design activity before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		new parameters attaining status as established 'standards' time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		the facts and circumstances in this case do not indicate that the severe weather design parameters a... [more]
About Allen Relations & OWL-Time

Allen's Interval Algebra provides 13 basic temporal relations between intervals. These relations are mapped to OWL-Time standard properties for interoperability with Semantic Web temporal reasoning systems and SPARQL queries.

Each relation includes both a ProEthica custom property and a time:* OWL-Time property for maximum compatibility.

Back to Extraction Continue to Step 4

© Licensed under the GNU GPL v3