PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
(OP)
One construction worker killed, three others injured in structure collapse at Argyle High School: Link
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PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
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RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
Frequently, I hear from contractors that "the engineer over-designed this thing and it would be fine with half this much reinforcement." We, as designers, need to do a better job of interacting with contractors so they respect our designs, and when we do indicate bracing they abide by it. I would guess that the erector has used these same techniques previously with success. What I do not understand is why the permanent lateral bracing on the sidewalls was not installed before the roof purlins were being set. It seems like it would have been difficult to true up the building and keep it that way. Sad as it is, better that this happened now than when it was occupied if the bracing was simply forgotten. (We obviously don't know the circumstances yet, but lack of adequate bracing seems to be the obvious culprit.)
I have been working with a construction engineering program at a nearby university. These student will be uniquely positioned to help reduce these problems. Their curriculum is half structural engineering and half construction management. I guess I should discuss this example with the professor since it is so near. (I rode past this high school on Tuesday.)
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
Unfortunately sometimes people die in those mistakes.
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RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
>>>Frequently, I hear from contractors that "the engineer over-designed this thing and it would be fine with half this much reinforcement." We, as designers, need to do a better job of interacting with contractors so they respect our designs, and when we do indicate bracing they abide by it.<<<
TXStructural, respectfully, in the first scenario the engineer is being held responsible for not providing enough information and in the second scenario he’s being held responsible for the contractor not believing the information he provided. It seems he can’t win.
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
If we had to design bracing for a PEMB, it would be so complex and expensive, no one would ever consider it.
Additionally, the liability would be huge as most accidents occur during construction.
While this is a certainly an unfortunate incident, I feel means and methods should be left to the contractor.
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
The design engineer has minimal involvement in the PEMB. When we do one, we write a specfication and give physical dimensions. The rest is delegated.
I suspect that this was either due to working in too strong of winds or one of those lift operators jarring the frames.
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
Jed, I certainly hope we are not willing to accept that normal design winds (probably not an issue in this case) or incidental contact by a lift (which should be anticipated) will result in a fatal collapse during construction.
It is completely unacceptable to concede that fatalities will happen in the course of someone's job on a construction site. What we build is not important enough to allow it.
I also think it is probably excessive to point to an industry ("the PEMB industry") until we establish that the contractor here was adhering to industry standards. It may be that there is no industry standard, or it may be that the contractor deviated from them. If neither is to blame, then the industry standard is obviously not sufficient. Unfortunately, we may never really know unless OSHA intervenes. (Being a local government project, I'm not sure they will.)
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-5fhBE0dXM
Look on the "related videos" list for the others.
RE: PEMB Construction Collapse in Argyle, TX
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