Houston building collapse

[JAE]

An apartment building undergoing renovation in Houston, Texas collapses - killing at least one. Looks like a wood framed building from what I can see on the video.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/090414_building_collapse

 

[abusementpark]

Interesting, doesn't say if an engineer was involved.

 

[JAE]

I would think that for a remodel, usually a structural engineer is not necessary unless there are drastic changes to load bearing walls, new openings, etc.

For a whole building to just come crashing down would tell me they were doing some serious renovating.

 

[vandede427]

never ever be surprised at what people do to structures.

load-bearing walls are usually the first to be removed during a renovation.

 

[Prestressed Guy]

If you look at the aerial shot 23 seconds into the video clip you can see the adjacent building that did not collapse. There does not appear to be a single piece of sheathing left on the structure and the walls are racked. The reporter stated that the building collapsed by racking sideways. DUH! If you remove all shear capacity it’s going to topple laterally. This contractor should be facing negligent homicide charges at the least.

 

[Einsteim]

Sounds like a stability issue.

 

[aayjaber]

Most devices that pose a safety risk to users and sold in the market has safety labels. Would not it be wise to have labels on structural elements warning that a removal or a change without the approval of an engineer will pose safety risk?

May be there should be a label for structural elements that is easily placed so worker can avoid such risks.

 

[hokie66]

You are kidding, aren't you?

 

[swearingen]

I can see it now:

"CAUTION - REMOVAL OF THE GROUND FLOOR OF THIS STRUCTURE RUNS THE RISK OF THE OTHER FLOORS FALLING ON YOUR HEAD"


If you "heard" it on the internet, it's guilty until proven innocent. - DCS

http://www.eng-tips.com/supportus.cfm

 

[PEinVA]

When we reinforce a concrete slab with CFRP, we have the contractor spray in bright red letters "STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENT DO NOT CUT" and put red stripes across the entire length.

I think it is smart. I don't think it works in every situation, but definitely in the one we're using.

RC
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Edmund Burke