The Decade of Disaster

Glenn R. Bell

doi:10.1061/9780784484555.001

The Decade of Disaster

Glenn R. Bell

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Chapter in a published conference proceeding

Abstract

In the decade from 1978 to 1987, the US experienced an unprecedented rash of catastrophic structural collapses, many resulting in tragic loss of life. This paper reviews nine of these, identifying similarities and differences in their causes, and exploring possible reasons why such a concentration of failures occurred then. Furthermore, these failures caused professional and public outcry, motivating continuous efforts and progress to improve public safety. Our diligence in learning from failures and keeping public safety at the forefront of our work must be never ending. The CROSS system plays a vital role in this pursuit. By sustained learning from failures of all consequence, as well as incidents, and safety concerns, we can avert catastrophes.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures
Editors	Rui Liu, Carmen C. Mulea, M. Kevin Parfit, Tara L. Cavalline
Place of Publication	U. S. A.
Publisher	American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages	1-11
Number of pages	11
ISBN (Electronic)	9780784484555
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484555.001
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 2 Nov 2022
Externally published	Yes
Event	9th Congress on Forensic Engineering 2022: Elevating Forensic Engineering - Denver, USA United States Duration: 4 Nov 2022 → 7 Nov 2022

Publication series

Name	Forensic Engineering 2022: Elevating Forensic Engineering - Selected Papers from the 9th Congress on Forensic Engineering
Volume	2

Conference

Conference	9th Congress on Forensic Engineering 2022: Elevating Forensic Engineering
Country/Territory	USA United States
City	Denver
Period	4/11/22 → 7/11/22

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Civil and Structural Engineering
Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
Building and Construction
Environmental Engineering
General Materials Science

Access to Document

10.1061/9780784484555.001

Cite this

Bell, G. R. (2022). The Decade of Disaster. In R. Liu, C. C. Mulea, M. K. Parfit, & T. L. Cavalline (Eds.), Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures (pp. 1-11). (Forensic Engineering 2022: Elevating Forensic Engineering - Selected Papers from the 9th Congress on Forensic Engineering; Vol. 2). American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484555.001

The Decade of Disaster. / Bell, Glenn R.
Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures. ed. / Rui Liu; Carmen C. Mulea; M. Kevin Parfit; Tara L. Cavalline. U. S. A.: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2022. p. 1-11 (Forensic Engineering 2022: Elevating Forensic Engineering - Selected Papers from the 9th Congress on Forensic Engineering; Vol. 2).

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Chapter in a published conference proceeding

Bell, GR 2022, The Decade of Disaster. in R Liu, CC Mulea, MK Parfit & TL Cavalline (eds), Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures. Forensic Engineering 2022: Elevating Forensic Engineering - Selected Papers from the 9th Congress on Forensic Engineering, vol. 2, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), U. S. A., pp. 1-11, 9th Congress on Forensic Engineering 2022: Elevating Forensic Engineering, Denver, USA United States, 4/11/22. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784484555.001

Bell GR. The Decade of Disaster. In Liu R, Mulea CC, Parfit MK, Cavalline TL, editors, Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures. U. S. A.: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). 2022. p. 1-11. (Forensic Engineering 2022: Elevating Forensic Engineering - Selected Papers from the 9th Congress on Forensic Engineering). Epub 2022 Nov 2. doi: 10.1061/9780784484555.001

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The Decade of Disaster

Abstract

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ASJC Scopus subject areas

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