Criteria for Design of Project Features

The dictionary defines a criterion as a standard on which a judgment or decision may be based. Engineering criteria are normally the result of extensive performance history, model test results, and judgment of senior engineers' broad experience and perspective. The performance of project features such as locks, jetties, channels, etc. over a long period of time will expose weakness in design. Model tests will simulate structural performance during extreme conditions to show limits of survivability. These factors of prototype performance and model study results, when combined with engineering judgment, produce design criteria.