The Hyatt Regency

Walkway Collapse

Presented By: Jonathan Foster

4/9/02
An Engineering Disaster

Kansas City, Missouri - 1981

 July 17, 1981

• Approximately 2000 People Came for a Dance Competition

• At 7:05 pm a large crack was heard and two walkways collapsed

•Leaving 114 Dead and Left over 200 injured

Gillum-Colaco International Inc. (G.C.E. Inc.)
Proposed Design for the Walkways

• wide flange beams were to be used on either side of the walkway

which was hung from a box beam

• a clip angle was welded to the top of the box beam which connected
to the flange beams with bolts

• one end of the walkway was welded to a fixed plate while the other
end was supported by a sliding bearing

• each box beam of the walkway was supported by a washer and nut
which was threaded onto the supporting rod
Proposed Design
 The Revised Design

• one end of each support rod was attached to the atrium’s roof cross
beams

• the bottom end went through the box beam where a washer and nut
were threaded on

• the second rod was attached to the box beam 4" from the first rod

• additional rods suspended down to support the other levels in a

similar manner
Actual Design
The Fourth Floor Connection
 Reasons For Disaster
• Lack of Communication

• Interpreting Preliminary Drawings as

Finalized Drawing

• Insufficient Review of the Final Design