Building Structural Failures—Their Cause and Prevention

Abstract

Many recent collapses of U.S. buildings have occurred both during construction and following occupancy. Such failures have received professional and public attention due to the attendant major losses of life and property. Five recommendations resulting from the Engineering Foundation Conference, Building Structural Failures—Their Cause and Prevention, held in Santa Barbara, California, November 6‐11, 1983 are highlighted. The recommendations address structural integrity, life safety assurance, peer review, definition and assignment of responsibility, and unified risk insurance. The nature and magnitude of the problem, the design process, the construction process, legal implications, and the regulatory process are covered.