Title: Review of the Skyline Plaza Collapse

Author(s): N. J. Carino, E. V. Leyendecker, and S. G. Fattal

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 5

Issue: 7

Appears on pages(s): 35-42

Keywords: apartment buildings; collapse; compressive strength; concrete construction; concrete slabs; failure; form removal; high-rise buildings; punching shear; reinforced concrete; shear stress.

DOI:

Date: 7/1/1983

Abstract:
On March 2, 1973, portions of the Skyline Plaza apartment building, under construction in Fairfax County, Va., collapsed. The failure resulted in the death of 14 workers; 34 others were injured. Results of the failure investigation carried out by the National Bureau of Standards are summarized. Based on structural analyses and estimates of concrete strength at the time of the collapse, NBS investigators concluded that the probable cause was a punching shear failure of the 23rd floor slab. The critical condition was attributed to premature removal of shoring below the 23rd floor slab at the time the 24th floor was being placed and the low strength of that portion of the 23rd floor which was unshared.