Ronan Point collapse
Canning Town, Newham, East London, UK · 1968 (collapsed May 16, 1968; opened two months prior) · Not readily available in sources, likely not a primary metric for this event.
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe collapse led to significant changes in UK building regulations, particularly regarding structural integrity and progressive collapse (e.g., introduction of Approved Document A). - Emphasized the need for structural redundancy and alternative load paths in high-rise buildings. - Highlighted the dangers of large panel system construction without sufficient ties and robustness. - Prompted a review of gas installations in high-rise buildings.
Key engineering challenges
Lack of structural robustness and alternate load paths in large panel system (LPS) construction. - Progressive collapse initiated by a localized gas explosion. - Inadequate connections between precast concrete panels, relying heavily on friction. - Design flaws that did not account for localized damage leading to disproportionate collapse.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Newham Council (owner)
- Lead contractor
- Taylor Woodrow-Anglian (contractor)
- Lead designers
- Phillips, Powell, Leverton & Partners (architects); Taylor Woodrow-Anglian (engineers)
- Project type
- new build (collapse event)
- Scale
- 22-storey tower block; 18th floor explosion; partial collapse of south-east corner; 4 fatalities, 17 injured.
- Disciplines
- Structural engineering; fire safety engineering; materials science; building regulations
- Standards & frameworks
- Building Regulations (post-collapse revisions, e.g., Approved Document A for structural safety)
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronan_Point; https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/sixties-britain/ronan-point-collapse/; https://www.engr.psu.edu/ae/thesis/failures/MKP/failures/failures.wikispaces.com/Ronan_Point.html; https://buildingsafetyregister.co.uk/ronan-point-at-57-the-collapse-that-reshaped-building-regulations/