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Ac 2007-171: Integrating Structural Failures in Construction Engineering Education: Improving the Practical Aspects of Construction Practice
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Varma, Virendra Kumar Asce, F. |
| Copyright Year | 2007 |
| Abstract | The Big Dig structural failure of July 10, 2006 in Boston’s I-90 cut-and-cover connector tunnel roof that dropped a 10-ton module of concrete panels on a car killing a 38-year old woman called for Boston’s Central Artery/Tunnel (CA/T) officials to probe installation of its tunnel support system. It has engaged the construction community on a national scale in asking how nine stainless steel anchors gave way causing the fatal air-plenum module collapse. In general, it has further led to questions surrounding applications of epoxy-threaded bolts. The construction engineering profession is alarmed that Boston’s CA/T epoxy problem may be nationwide. What redundancy in design and construction in the structural support systems should be considered and how can public safety be insured? As engineering and construction professionals respond to structural failures of this nature, so do educators prepare to educate students to improve the practical aspects of engineering design and construction practices? To avoid future construction failures, educators have an ethical responsibility of educating students in modes and causes of structural failures, and the responsibilities for failures. This paper addresses lessons learned from failures of the past, such as, the very recent Boston’s Big Dig Failure, the 1981 Collapse of Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel Skywalks, the 1978 Formwork Failure on West Virginia’s Power Plant Cooling Tower, and a few other structural failures, and how such lessons can be incorporated in the classroom to teach students how to avoid construction failures in the future. As educators, it is concluded; we must teach students to strictly enforce review in design, and the associated change of design procedures including technical review and documentation. The author has incorporated construction failures as case studies in his senior classes, and recommends the approach of using past construction failures and the lessons learned to improve the practical aspects of engineering design and construction practice. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://peer.asee.org/integrating-structural-failures-in-construction-engineering-education-improving-the-practical-aspects-of-construction-practice.pdf |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://www.icee.usm.edu/ICEE/conferences/asee2007/papers/171_INTEGRATING_STRUCTURAL_FAILURES_IN_CONST.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
