| Location | Virtual Meeting via Webinar |
AIA CREDIT: Yes
ABSTRACT:
On August 31, 2011, a wind gust from an approaching storm caused the temporary canopy structure over the main stage at the Indiana State Fair to collapse, killing seven people and injuring 58 others. The presenter was retained on behalf of one of the primary participants to investigate the cause of the collapse. The assignment required detailed examination of the wreckage, review of storm weather data, structural analysis of the stage canopy structure, testing of the tie-back components used to provide lateral stability, and review of documents defining policies, authority, procedures, and protocols that were to have been used if evacuation was required. Deficiencies were found in many areas. The presentation will discuss how the combination of these deficiencies resulted in this tragedy and how it could have been avoided.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Learn the weather contributions to the collapse.
- Learn the design error contributions to the collapse.
- Learn the building code provisions relevant to the collapse.
- Learn the industry standards relevant to the collapse.
- Be presented with recommendations to avoid similar future collapses.
PRESENTER BIO:
Kurt R. Hoigard, P.E., SECB, F.ASTM is a Licensed Professional Engineer and Senior Principal at Raths, Raths, & Johnson, Inc, a national engineering, architecture, and forensics consulting practice. He is a leading industry expert with 35 years of experience specializing in the investigation and repair of distressed and deteriorated structures and the performance of building materials and systems. He consults in the areas of preconstruction, peer review, facade leakage, material failure evaluations, construction quality assurance, collapse investigation, and expert testimony on a range of matters. He serves diverse clients nationally from property owners, contractors, architects, engineers, and material suppliers to insurance companies and attorneys. Named among the world’s leading expert witnesses by Who’s Who Legal: Construction 2019, 2020 and received the 2019 Expert Witness Award – Construction from Lawyer Monthly magazine. Kurt is a licensed P.E. in 35 states and a Fellow of ASTM International.
VIRTUAL MEETING REGISTRATION & LOGIN INFORMATION:
For BEC Chicago members, an invite with REGISTRATION LINK will be sent out approximately 7 to 10 days in advance of event. After registration, a confirmation email with LOGIN INFORMATION with be sent for the virtual meeting that will be hosted through ZOOM. For non-BEC Chicago members interested in attending, you may contact Jeff Diqui at jdiqui@imiweb.org to request an invite. The invitation will include a REGISTRATION LINK.
