Reinforced concrete is a construction material widely used in many applications, including buildings, bridges, and other infrastructures. Due to its massive size and various redundancies, concrete structures are often considered solid, robust, and safe. However, there have been instances of concrete structure failures and collapses, many due to erroneous assumptions or oversight by the designers in evaluating the design situation or poor construction practices. This article highlights several design and construction situations that designers and builders should pay special attention to in order to prevent failures.
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Cain and Associates Engineers and Constructors, Inc. of Mobile, Alabama, were engaged by a Law Firm from Knoxville, Tennessee, to investigate the cause and origin of the collapse of a large Wastewater Treatment Plant Equalization Basin in Gatlinburg, TN. On April 5, 2011, following a period of very heavy rains, the equalization basin at the wastewater treatment plant experienced a catastrophic failure when the east wall of the structure collapsed (Figures 1 and 2). As a result, over one million gallons of wastewater were released. In addition, two employees working in a flow control building located approximately 8 feet in front of the east wall were killed in the incident.
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An International Collaboration
Post-earthquake observations following recent events in Indonesia point to the significant vulnerability of school infrastructure in the country. Build Change is a Denver-based international non-profit social enterprise that works with people in emerging nations to design, build, finance, and regulate disaster-resistant houses and schools. Build Change has a program in Padang, Indonesia, and has responded to eight large earthquakes there since the program’s inception after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. …
Recurring Structural Failures
Forensic practice in structural engineering typically entails seeking technical causes of failures. Occasionally, discussions of technical causes are disseminated through publications or conference presentations. However, the underlying or root causes of failures are seldom disseminated, because they are rarely sought. …
This article reviews the failure mechanisms of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (TNB) on November 7, 1940, and the characteristics of the original bridge that facilitated the resultant theories on its failure. The design of the bridge pushed the boundaries of knowledge at the time, unfortunately with undesired consequences. …
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When litigation follows structural failure, the value of experienced on-site observers should not be understated. Those on-site professionals who prefer to leave such matters to insurance investigators and hired expert witnesses need to reconsider. Without a solid basis in fact, the legal process has a decreased probability of achieving the justice which is expected. …
A straight-line wind event took place in Rockwall, Texas, March 29, 2017, producing significant structural damage resulting in four red- and five yellow-tagged homes. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth estimated the storm’s wind speed to be 100 to 110 mph. Before demolition of the most impacted home (Figure 1), APA – The Engineered Wood Association (APA) field staff followed through with an opportunity to survey the damage. …
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Structural engineering always has been a conservative profession. This is particularly evident in the structural building codes and standards. These regulations are intended to protect the public from deficiencies in design and construction. For the most part, they are effective. Why then do so many parking garages collapse? …
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It was a time of celebration at the Kansas City Hyatt on July 17, 1981, 35 years ago. Between 1,500 and 2,000 people were in attendance at the Tea Dance, enjoying the band, the music, the food, the drink and the dance contest. Unfortunately, what began as an evening of celebration would be remembered for the tragic deaths resulting from the most catastrophic failure of a structural connection in the United States. …
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A snowstorm in November 2014 hit Northern Oregon and was subsequently followed with freezing rain and arctic temperatures of -20° F. This event caused a large manufacturing plant’s roof to collapse, resulting in extensive structural damage to the facility. Of the 400,000 square foot plant size, approximately 80,000 square feet (20% of the facility) collapsed and shut down the plant’s operations. …
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