MISCALCULATION
MISCALCULATION
He’s one hell of a killer.
In 1981, Hyatt Regency, a famous hotel in Kansas City, took the life of 114 people. It’s not the whole building that collapsed on them, but a couple of walkways.
Pair of suspended walkways over an atrium.
A tea dance was happening on the said atrium. Of course, who wouldn’t want to catch a glimpse of the classy event? With that, several people have paved their way to the walkways that gave wonderful view of the happenings below. Little do they know that the walkways would be the last thing their feet would print on.
The fourth-floor walkway bridge collapsed creating a domino effect on the other walkways below until it reached the ground floor. 114 people was killed.
As per the investigation, a change in the structural design of the walkways and miscalculation of live load were the reason for the demise of 114 people.
Before an architect draw his design, he first must ensure the structural capacity of the site, studying and consulting the earthworks and the appropriate foundation to a geodetic and structural engineer, respectively. There are also structural engineers who focuses on their specialization e.g., concrete, steel, masonry, or wood design.
This is why structural design code and conduct is of utmost importance in the building and construction field. This code and conduct ensure the minimum standards that can ensure safety and stability for the future infrastructures, if followed. Minimum design loads are incorporated in this code. Live load, wind load, dead load, earthquake load, name it.
Any mishaps in infrastructures can revoke the designer’s license and even ensure a bad reputation. To avoid this together with being liable to any accident or death of somebody, think twice thrice before signing contract documents. Ensure that the design conforms to any codes.
-
Photo courtesy of The Business Insider.
Photo modified by the author.
