Analysis of Recent U.S. Structural and Construction Failures

Structures are used for a wide variety of purposes, some being residential, commercial, industrial, environmental, or transportational in nature. The construction process involves a number of procedures that follow together from the first stage of the building process to the end of the life cycle of the structure. The building process of any structure, regardless of its type, location, price, or any other factor, basically includes planning, design, construction, utilization, demolition, and alteration phases. The concepts of structural and construction safety are still issues of concern for engineering practitioners. The relative importance of structural and construction safety is associated with the adverse consequences that may result from a structural and/or construction failure. A recent study of 604 structural and construction failures in the United States during the period 1975–1986 is presented. The analysis aims to demonstrate the practical dimensions and causes of structural and construction safety problems, to evaluate the social and economic consequences of failures, and to assist in providing guidelines to control and improve the safety of facilities during and after construction. In addition, an attempt has been made to estimate safety‐risk measures for the U.S. construction industry.