After the collapse of structures in Florida and Iowa two states in the US have moved quickly to make legal changes to try to avoid future collapses. These structural integrity laws have been regarded favorably in several other states and it is probable that they will be reflected in similar laws throughout the USA. Other countries have had similar but different problems and have introduced a legal framework to attempt to obviate the problem. There are systematic problems with the entire system approaching this problem. Most of these problems are considered in this presentation including the approach to the assessment and measurement of risk as well as the effect of a changing environment. Even at this early stage it is apparent that some unforeseen problems have already become apparent. These are discussed as well as the  unexpected (and largely forgotten ) lessons of structural engineering throughout history.

Learning Objectives

• The reasons that structures collapse
• Design philosophy considerations for structural integrity
• Maintenance considerations
• Administrative system for preventing collapses
• System shortcomings for preventing collapses
• Legal changes in the US current and projected
• Legal changes worldwide
• A review of the collapses of buildings in the US.
• A review of collapses worldwide.
• Problems created by the legal changes
• Problems with building assessment
• Other structures and collapsesBridges Different building materials Dams, chimneys
• The different approaches for earthquakes, wind and floods