MACALINO, MIA NICOLE G.

CEC 004 – CEC41S6

ACTIVITY 1 – BUILDING STRUCTURE FAILURES

Building Projects That Failed During Construction

1. HYATT REGENCY WALKWAY

The Hyatt Regency walkway collapse is a tragic example of engineering failure with severe consequences.
The incident occurred on July 17, 1981, during a tea dance event in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in
Kansas City, Missouri. Two suspended walkways, one directly above the other, collapsed, resulting in 114
fatalities and over 200 injuries. The original design of the walkways involved a set of steel tie rods
supporting both the second and fourth-floor walkways. However, last-minute design changes reversed the
positions of the second-floor walkway and the fourth-floor walkway, placing the weight of both walkways on
the same set of tie rods. This modification effectively doubled the load on the connections supporting the
walkways.

The failure was attributed to inadequate structural support and flawed design changes. The walkways were
unable to withstand the increased weight, leading to catastrophic failure. The investigation revealed that the
design change violated Kansas City building codes and standard engineering practices. In addition to the
tragic loss of life and injuries, the collapse resulted in extensive legal proceedings and compensation
claims. Victims and their families received a total of $140 million in compensation, reflecting the magnitude
of the tragedy and the responsibility of those involved.

2. TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE

The collapse of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940 is one of the most infamous engineering
failures in history. The bridge, located in Washington state, was designed with a slender and flexible
roadway, earning it the nickname "Galloping Gertie" due to its tendency to undulate in windy conditions.
During construction, there were already signs of trouble. The bridge experienced significant vertical
oscillations even before completion, leading engineers to implement modifications to dampen the
movement. However, these adjustments proved insufficient.

On November 7, 1940, strong winds of about 40 mph set up an oscillation in the bridge that matched its
natural frequency. This resonance caused the bridge to sway violently, eventually leading to its collapse.
The entire structure crumbled and fell into Puget Sound, fortunately without causing any fatalities. The
failure of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge highlighted the importance of considering aerodynamics and
structural dynamics in bridge design. It prompted significant advancements in bridge engineering,
particularly in understanding and mitigating the effects of wind-induced oscillations.

Following the collapse, engineers incorporated lessons learned into subsequent bridge designs,
implementing measures to enhance stability and prevent similar failures. The incident also underscored the
need for thorough testing and analysis during both design and construction phases to ensure the structural
integrity of large-scale infrastructure projects.

Buildings That Failed After Being Built

1. TENERIFE AIRPORT TERMINAL

The Tenerife Airport Terminal, also known as the Los Rodeos Airport Terminal, suffered a catastrophic
collapse in 1977, just five years after its completion. The collapse occurred due to a combination of design
errors and poor construction practices. The building's flat roof was unable to withstand heavy rainwater
accumulation, leading to a structural failure. This tragedy resulted in 583 fatalities and numerous injuries,
making it one of the deadliest building failures in history. It prompted widespread reforms in building codes
and construction practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
 2. ALGO CENTRE MALL

The Algo Centre Mall, opened in 1980, experienced multiple structural issues throughout its existence. This
included water leakage, rusting support beams, and crumbling concrete. In 2012, a portion of the mall's
rooftop parking deck collapsed, causing a section of the building to cave in. The incident resulted in two
fatalities and multiple injuries. Investigations revealed longstanding neglect of maintenance and structural
issues. The collapse led to inquiries into building safety regulations and enforcement in Canada.

Buildings Not Used as Planned

1. PALACE OF THE REPUBLIC, GERMANY

The Palace of the Republic in Berlin, Germany, originally constructed in the 1970s as a cultural and political
center in East Germany, faced an unforeseen fate as it fell into disuse following German reunification in
1990 due to concerns about asbestos contamination and its association with the former Communist regime.
Despite efforts to preserve the building, it was eventually demolished in the early 2000s to make way for
the reconstruction of the Berlin City Palace.

2. THE WALKIE TALKIE BUILDING

The Walkie Talkie Building, officially known as 20 Fenchurch Street, in London, United Kingdom, completed
in 2014, gained notoriety for its unintended consequence of concentrating sunlight due to its concave
design, leading to glare strong enough to melt cars and damage property on the street below. This
unexpected issue prompted modifications to mitigate the glare, altering the building's original design and
functionality.

REFERENCE:

The top 10 construction failures of the world. (n.d.). Concrete Civil Engineering.

https://concretecivil.com/the-top-10-construction-failures-of-the-world/