The Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse Presented By Jonathan

The Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse Presented By: Jonathan Foster 4/9/02

An Engineering Disaster Kansas City, Missouri - 1981

July 17, 1981 • Approximately 2000 People Came for a Dance Competition • At 7: 05 pm a large crack was heard and two walkways collapsed • Leaving 114 Dead and Left over 200 injured

Gillum-Colaco International Inc. (G. C. E. Inc. ) Proposed Design for the Walkways • wide flange beams were to be used on either side of the walkway which was hung from a box beam • a clip angle was welded to the top of the box beam which connected to the flange beams with bolts • one end of the walkway was welded to a fixed plate while the other end was supported by a sliding bearing • each box beam of the walkway was supported by a washer and nut which was threaded onto the supporting rod

Proposed Design

The Revised Design • one end of each support rod was attached to the atrium’s roof cross beams • the bottom end went through the box beam where a washer and nut were threaded on • the second rod was attached to the box beam 4" from the first rod • additional rods suspended down to support the other levels in a similar manner

Actual Design

The Fourth Floor Connection

Reasons For Disaster • Lack of Communication • Interpreting Preliminary Drawings as Finalized Drawing • Insufficient Review of the Final Design