FAQ

Q: Why have you chosen to study all of these disasters? Isn’t this kind of morbid?


A. The consequences of building failure can be catastrophic. Fault rests on the shoulders of engineers in many of these events. Part of our education is to recognize the great responsibility we will take on in our careers – we are the ones trusted to ensure the safety of a building. In considering the effects our negligence can have, we become better engineers.



Q: What is a structural failure?

A. Structural failure refers to loss of the load-carrying capacity of a component or member within a structure or of the structure itself.


Q: What are the types of structural failure?

A. The types can be either:
1- collapse of a structure that was caused by either the types of material used or the shape and size of the structure
2- A breakage in the building that was cause by the instability of the building or in the building design
3- Manufacturing errors.


Q: How can we prevent these structural failures?

A. Well, to prevent them is very simple:
1- a clear and competent design.
2- good communication between the builders and the design teams.
3- select good materials for the structure.


Q: What is punching shear?

A. Punching shear is a type of failure of reinforced concrete slabs subjected to high localized forces.