Case Study 2: The Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse

 

Overview: On July 17, 1981, the Hyatt Regency hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, was the site of one of the deadliest structural failures in U.S. history. Two walkways suspended above the hotel's lobby collapsed during a dance event, killing 114 people and injuring over 200. The disaster highlighted critical failures in communication, engineering, and project management.

Background: The Hyatt Regency was a new luxury hotel that opened in 1980. The hotel's lobby featured a striking design element: multiple suspended walkways that allowed guests to view the space from above. The walkways were constructed as part of a fast-paced project, with many parties involved, including architects, engineers, contractors, and hotel management.

The Design Change: Originally, the design called for a single set of support rods to hold up both the second and fourth-floor walkways. However, due to challenges during construction, a change was made. The rods were split, with one set supporting the second-floor walkway and another set supporting the fourth-floor walkway. This modification doubled the load on the connection points that held the walkways to the ceiling.

Communication Failures: One of the key factors in the collapse was the failure in communication between the parties involved. The engineering firm responsible for the design, Gillum-Colaco International, had approved the change, but the implications of the modification were not fully understood or communicated. There was no comprehensive review or analysis of the new design's impact on the structure’s integrity. The change was communicated informally and implemented without a thorough evaluation.

The Collapse: On the night of July 17, 1981, the hotel was hosting a tea dance event in the lobby. The weight of the people on the walkways, combined with the design flaw, caused the connection points to fail. The fourth-floor walkway collapsed onto the second-floor walkway, which then fell into the crowded lobby below.

Aftermath: The collapse was catastrophic, resulting in the deaths of 114 people and injuries to over 200. It was the deadliest structural failure in U.S. history at the time. The disaster led to widespread criticism of the engineering practices and regulatory oversight of the construction industry. The incident prompted significant changes in engineering standards, particularly regarding communication and the review of design changes.

Legal and Ethical Consequences: In the aftermath, the engineering firm and its engineers faced legal and professional repercussions. The engineers involved lost their licenses, and the company was found liable for negligence. The disaster also led to reforms in building codes, professional liability, and engineering ethics, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and rigorous review processes.

Lessons Learned: The Hyatt Regency walkway collapse serves as a cautionary tale about the critical importance of communication and collaboration in engineering and construction projects. It highlights the need for thorough evaluation of design changes, the risks of informal communication, and the ethical responsibilities of engineers to ensure public safety.

Questions

Bloom's Taxonomy Level 1: Remembering

1. What year did the Hyatt Regency walkway collapse occur?
2. How many people were killed in the Hyatt Regency walkway collapse?

Bloom's Taxonomy Level 2: Understanding

1. Explain how the design change to the walkway contributed to the collapse.
2. Why was the communication failure between the engineering firm and the construction team a key factor in the disaster?