Parking Garage Wall Failure 1

[hokie66]

The design and placement of the wheel stops is probably part of the problem. It is supposed to be a system, not just one element to stop a car. Driver is also part of the system, and this driver should not be driving.

 

[3DDave]

The problem with depending on wheel stops is that the response to the wheel stops is mostly elastic - it compresses the tires and raises the CG but doesn't dissipate any energy. As the tires go down the other side they rebound and the little energy stored in height is returned to forward velocity. There is a minimum amount of speed into the outer wall practically guaranteed if a car makes it past the wheel stop. There's a little loss in the shock absorbers, but they can't take out nearly enough to make a noticeable difference.

I think the safer method would be steel straps from the top of the retaining walls to the floor above, allowing a large amount of displacement if the angles fail with less risk of dropping the panel and potentially crushing people or vehicles below. Plus, as the panel swings, it swings upward, increasing the energy stored, beyond the amount absorbed by the fracturing of the angles.

 

[chicopee]

After this accident, I'll bet you that you'll see precast concrete curbs anchored along the outer walls.

 

[CELinOttawa]

Chicopee: You're likely right... Only about 450mm to 600mm from the edge is much better... Rarely are they well placed.

 

[Tomfh]

If you staple large slabs of concrete to the sides of buildings it's inevitable that some of them will fall off from time to time, especially if there are blocks of steel moving about in the immediate vicinity.

 

[rowingengineer]

Is this it?

http://www.nceng.com.au/

"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning."

 

[CELinOttawa]

That's it alright Rowing... Where'd you find the image?

 

[rowingengineer]

some drawings by an engineer

http://www.nceng.com.au/

"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning."

 

[CELinOttawa]

Lol... Serves me right for asking!