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

An Engineering Disaster Kansas City, Missouri

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Lack of Communication Interpreting Preliminary Drawings as Finalized Drawing Interpreting Preliminary Drawings as Finalized Drawing Insufficient Review of the Final Design Insufficient Review of the Final Design