38 Damage to concrete structures
After completion, the 1.6 km long Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge
was the second largest in the world. On 7 November 1940 it collapsed
(fortunately without any casualties) due to wind-induced vibrations, after
only four months of service. The phenomenon causing the collapse is now
known as resonance, and is caused by wind providing an external periodic
frequency matching the natural structural frequency. Due to this accident,
research efforts have been concentrated on bridge aerodynamics, influencing the designs of new long-span suspension or cable-stayed bridges.
2.3.4 hyatt regency walkway collapse,
Kansas city, usa, 17 July 1981
On 17 July 1981, while hundreds of people were enjoying a music performance in the atrium of the Hyatt Regency, Kansas City, Kansas, USA,
the suspended walkway suddenly collapsed, killing 114 and injuring many
more (Petroski 1982, Natarajan 2007). The reason for the collapse was
the failure of the connection between the upper deck and the suspension
rods (Figure 2.7). While originally designed otherwise, the walkway was
actually constructed with two separate rods (one for each deck, with the
lower attached to the upper deck) instead of one single rod. As mentioned
2F in rod
2F in rod
Upper deck
Upper deck
F on nut
F on nut
F on nut
As Built
Original Design
F on nut
2F on nut
Lower deck
Lower deck
Figure 2.7 Hyatt Regency walkway: original design and situation as built.
After completion, the 1.6 km long Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge
was the second largest in the world. On 7 November 1940 it collapsed
(fortunately without any casualties) due to wind-induced vibrations, after
only four months of service. The phenomenon causing the collapse is now
known as resonance, and is caused by wind providing an external periodic
frequency matching the natural structural frequency. Due to this accident,
research efforts have been concentrated on bridge aerodynamics, influencing the designs of new long-span suspension or cable-stayed bridges.
2.3.4 hyatt regency walkway collapse,
Kansas city, usa, 17 July 1981
On 17 July 1981, while hundreds of people were enjoying a music performance in the atrium of the Hyatt Regency, Kansas City, Kansas, USA,
the suspended walkway suddenly collapsed, killing 114 and injuring many
more (Petroski 1982, Natarajan 2007). The reason for the collapse was
the failure of the connection between the upper deck and the suspension
rods (Figure 2.7). While originally designed otherwise, the walkway was
actually constructed with two separate rods (one for each deck, with the
lower attached to the upper deck) instead of one single rod. As mentioned
2F in rod
2F in rod
Upper deck
Upper deck
F on nut
F on nut
F on nut
As Built
Original Design
F on nut
2F on nut
Lower deck
Lower deck
Figure 2.7 Hyatt Regency walkway: original design and situation as built.