Forensic Engineering Investigation and Analysis of a Tower Crane Collapse

Authors

  • Bransford Pickett

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51501/jotnafe.v32i1.11

Keywords:

Ultraviolet, isothermal, slings, tower crane, adiabatic, brittleness, shock load, synthetic

Abstract

Tower cranes are popular and one of the predominant methods of material handling in high rise building construction. When there is a collapse of a tower crane in a city like New York, it is very visible, receives intense scrutiny, and becomes potentially political. This paper examines a 250-foot-tall tower crane collapse during the jumping phase of the crane to increase its height in support of a multi-level building construction. The author’s investigation examines the “defective sling” claim as the primary cause of the crane collapse along with some key findings and opinions regarding the slings used to rig the collar tie to the tower section of the crane.

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Published

2015-01-01

How to Cite

Pickett, Bransford. 2015. “Forensic Engineering Investigation and Analysis of a Tower Crane Collapse”. Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers 32 (1). https://doi.org/10.51501/jotnafe.v32i1.11.

Issue

Section

Articles