This paper is based on investigations into possible causes of failure of a three-storey office building, which was under construction. Half of the nearly completed office block was destroyed when the top two storeys collapsed on to the bottom storey. The building collapsed suddenly on 16 October 2008, tragically killing two construction workers, trapping another and injuring 14 others. The structural layout and modes of failure are presented and the report contains the material properties based on samples obtained from the building site. The finite element method was used to create an analytical model of the building and determine its collapse sequence. The adequacy of the structural components including reinforcement were studied and reported. Based on the visual observations of modes of failure, laboratory tests, physical evidence of structural components and the analytical model, a conclusion is given on the most probable trigger mechanism and sequence for collapse.
展开▼
