Hyatt Regency

Walkway Collapse
July 17, 1981
Content Outline

01 Engineering Ethics
02 Unveiling the Tragedy
03 Structural Betrayal
04 Silent Sufferers
05 Identifying Accountability
06 Ethics Breach in Engineering
07 Legal Consequences and Accountability
08 Preventive Measures
09 Overcoming Adversity
 Ethical Pillars in Engineering Excellence
In engineering, ethical guidelines are essential cornerstones, guiding professionals to prioritize
safety, honesty, and the greater good. The ASME Code of Ethics and the IEEE Code of Ethics
stand out as globally acknowledged standards, forming the bedrock of engineering excellence.

Core Mission Elements:

• Engineers ensure designs meet rigorous safety standards to prevent
harm.
• Engineers concentrate on areas of expertise, preventing errors by
avoiding tasks beyond their proficiency.
• Honesty is a firm commitment; engineers provide accurate
information at all times.
• Engineers act as faithful agents, steering clear of conflicts of
interest to preserve their integrity.
 Lessons for Ethical Growth
• Engineers shape their professional image through high-
quality work, emphasizing fairness and rejecting shortcuts Ethical Engineering
for sustained success.
• Engineers prioritize integrity, taking a stand against
bribery, fraud, or any corrupt practices, ensuring an
unwavering commitment to ethical conduct.
• Engineers actively pursue personal and collective growth,
contributing to the advancement of the engineering field
through continuous learning and development.
• Embracing fairness and equality is foundational; engineers
uphold a fundamental principle in their interactions with all
individuals, fostering an inclusive and equitable
professional environment.
Unveiling the Tragedy
Hyatt Regency Hotel in
Place Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Date July 17, 1981

Time 19:05 CDT (UTC−5)

The collapse occurred due to the

breakdown of the connections
Cause that supported the ceiling rods
of the fourth-floor walkway.

Deaths 114
Injured 216
Structural Betrayal: Design Differences
• Original Design consisted of one long steel support rod
per walkway for even weight distribution.
• Six individual rods (three on each side) in the original
plan for robust support.
• Fabricator rejected the initial design due to difficulties in
manufacturing a fully threaded rod.
• Instead of original design, two parallel and offset steel
rods per walkway were used, destabilizing the structure.
• Twelve rods in the altered design ended up compromising
stability and load-bearing capacity.
• The final design lacked the meticulous considerations of
the original, resulting in a fatal flaw that led to the
collapse and a devastating impact on victims below.
 Silent Survivors
• The fourth-floor walkway collapsed onto the second-floor
walkway, and both fell onto the crowded lobby floor.

• The rescue operation, directed by Kansas City emergency

medical director Joseph Waeckerle, lasted 14 hours.

• The physical injuries were accompanied by emotional trauma,

impacting survivors for the rest of their lives.

• Attendees at the tea dance, expecting an evening of joy, found

themselves in a life-altering tragedy.

• The survivors not only endured physical pain but also the
psychological scars of a traumatic event.
Identifying Accountability
Changes made without due diligence.
Changes in
Hanger Rod
Design Disputed communication between fabricator
and G.C.E. International, Inc.

Fabricator changed to a two-rod system,

Alteration of doubling load on connectors.
Walkway
Design Compromised structural integrity, leading to
catastrophic collapse.

Original design barely met load expectations,

violated Kansas City Building Code.
Failure to Meet
Building Codes Altered design worsened the situation,
resulting in insufficient capacity.
 Ethics Breach in Engineering

Failure to adhere to acceptable engineering

Responsibility practices.
of Engineering
"In engineering, accountability is a Firm (G.C.E.) Lack of due care in design and post-collapse
shared responsibility. Understanding
investigations.
the chain of command, effective
project management, and individual
commitment collectively shape a Gillum's approval without proper scrutiny
culture of accountability, ensuring contributed to collapse.
successful project outcomes." Engineer's Sealed
Approval
Lack of spot-checking and thorough
examination added to the failure.
 Legal Consequences and Accountability
ASCE's Response
The American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) adopted a report
stating that structural engineers have full responsibility for design projects.

Consequences and Legal Actions

• Principals involved lost engineering licenses, firms went bankrupt,
and costly legal suits were settled.
• Duncan the day-to-day charge of the project, Gillum the engineer of
record, and G.C.E. were found guilty of gross negligence,
misconduct, and unprofessional conduct.
• Engineering licenses of Duncan and Gillum were revoked, and
G.C.E. had its certificate of authority revoked.
• Legal aftermath included significant financial implications and a
nationwide reexamination of building codes.
 Preventive Measures
• Follow design specs and building codes rigorously.
• Avoid shortcuts; prioritize safety.
• Set up clear channels between fabricators and engineers.
• Formalize design change approvals to prevent
miscommunication.
• Stress engineers' duty to public safety.
• Discourage shortcuts for efficiency or cost-cutting.
• Train engineers on ethical decision-making.
• Highlight the real impact of negligence on public welfare.
Overcoming Adversity
In tough times, we find strength to recover and face challenges.
Difficulties are chances for growth. By adapting and staying
determined, we can overcome obstacles. Every challenge is an
opportunity for positive change and resilience.

Develop a resilient mindset to bounce back from setbacks.

Resilience
Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

Be flexible and open to change.

Adaptability
Adapt strategies when faced with unexpected obstacles.

Keep a long-term perspective.

Perseverance
Persevere through difficulties with determination.