Reason #568 why I had to turn off the TV

[pbray]

Because of the news report that casually mentioned that while New Orleans is evacuating people to the Superdome because of the belief that the structure can withstand 200 mph winds-- it's just that, a belief.

There have been no engineering studies done on whether or not the Superdome could withstand the winds of a category 4 or 5 hurricane-- after the near miss of the last hurricane a study had been commissioned, but it hasn't been finished.

This reminds me of the engineering study done on the John Hancock Building in Boston, meant to ensure that it could withstand a hurricane. Due to its odd shape, there was concern that it could fall over onto its short side. Fortunately an engineering study proved that yes, it was safe, even if a hurricane hit Boston dead center it would not fall over onto it short side.

But the engineers doing the study decided to go beyond the original scope of work requested. They decided to see if there were any conditions under which the building could fall over onto its long side. It was such an absurd idea that no one had thought it worth studying. It was as if you had stood a hardback book up on a table and asked what the odds were that it would fall over onto its spine. Common sense said that the odds were nil. Common sense was wrong-- the engineering study showed that the winds of even a moderate hurricane could tip the building over. Millions of dollars were spent to fix the problem, and a special insurance policy was taken out while the repairs were going on, just in case.

And I'm not even going to get in to the people of Houma, Louisiana, who have decided to ride out the storm in their shrimp boats....

Now's the time to write that check to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, and send my thoughts and prayers for the folks who are facing a very long night and difficult morning.

Comments

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Because of the news report that casually mentioned that while New Orleans is evacuating people to the Superdome because of the belief that the structure can withstand 200 mph winds-- it's just that, a belief.

I wondered the same thing as I watched the reporters broadcast from inside the Dome--do they know for sure that it can withstand the onslaught?

I hope that the folks who decided to use it as a shelter at least had some preliminary data to go on. I think it more likely that they were just plain desperate.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Sadly I think the planning involved the eye-ball effect. It's a massive concrete building. It looks big and secure, therefore it must be safe.

Having grown up in Hartford, Connecticut where the collapse of the Civic Center roof during a snowstorm taught me that just because a structure looks solid doesn't mean that it is structurally sound. A belief that four years at an engineering school only reinforced, as anyone who has watched the cable specials on "Why Buildings Collapse" or "Engineering Disasters" can attest.

I think that it's good that after Hurricane Ivan, when they had given some consideration to using the Superdome as a shelter, it occurred to someone that they ought to seriously study whether or not this would be a prudent option. Unfortunately there hasn't been enough time for the study to be completed.

Patricia, trying very hard not to dig out her copy of Isaac's Storm as light reading...

[wen-spencer.livejournal.com]

SOmebody told me once that their brother's job is to watch the hannock's windows because they keep exploding out, and that just before the explosion, there's a visible ripple starting, and that they have to evacuate the floor because on the higher floors, with the HVAC, the result is something akin to explosive decompression.

Now, I'm a naive person that believes almost everything that I'm told....

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Putting on my architect's hard-hat here, very few buildings are designed for Category 5 hurricanes. Just like designing for Richter 8 earthquakes, the cost/benefit ratio drives corporate bean-counters nuts. They won't LET you design a 20-year building for a 100-year event.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the confirmation. That was my understanding as well.