Abstract
The paper provides examples of how temporary conditions experienced during construction, retrofit, or repair can bring an otherwise robust structure to failure. The KTVO Tower near Kirksville, Missouri, USA, guyed by seven tiers of guy cables, stood 610 m tall, until it suddenly collapsed on June 2, 1988. The collapse occurred during the replacement of potentially defective braces. The Tower had been subject to severe weather conditions, as well as having previously lost some braces; and yet, the experienced repair company brought it down through altered brace replacement employed by the repair crew. How did it happen? This paper goes through all the stages of this tragic event; from the failure scene back through failure analysis to the design, manufacturing, material supplies, and fatally altered repair procedure. This paper also provides an example of reinforced concrete structures which are erected with the steel reinforcement delivered to their final position as a multi-story cage lifted in-place by crane and acting as temporary independent structures. Their stability relies on proper bracing and restraint. What if some of the bracing becomes an obstacle to some activities? The paper concludes with best practices for involving a licensed professional at all stages of construction or repair in order to help prevent future collapses.
Highlights
Introduction of the collapseUsing cutting torches, bulldozers and a bloodhound, workers today searched in wreckage for one of three men who were replacing structural braces on a 2,000-foot [610 m] television tower when it collapsed on Thursday
Bulldozers and a bloodhound, workers today searched in wreckage for one of three men who were replacing structural braces on a 2,000-foot [610 m] television tower when it collapsed on Thursday
Based on the two failures discussed the lack of a properly contemplated and executed, engineer-approved work plan led to the collapses
Summary
Bulldozers and a bloodhound, workers today searched in wreckage for one of three men who were replacing structural braces on a 2,000-foot [610 m] television tower when it collapsed on Thursday. Bodies of the other two men, employed by Structural System Technology Inc. of McLean, Va., were found earlier. The tower, which belonged to KTVO in Kirksville, collapsed in calm weather. The 581 m (1905 feet) tall (or 610 m tall including the top mast) KTVO Tower (Tower) was erected in Colony, Missouri, United States of America, in September of 1987. The tower was completed in September of 1987 with a total price tag of $2.5 million USD (equivalent to $5.6M USD in 2019). At the time of erection, this was one of the tallest towers in America – over twice the height of the Eiffel Tower. The workers were performing their repairs based on a general procedure most likely to which unapproved changes were implemented
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