Analysis of Structural Failures

In Part 1 a classification of basic types of structural failure is presented. This classification is expanded into a set of parameter statements which could be assessed subjectively in a prediction process. This process is intended to account for a structure failing due to causes other than stochastic variations in load and strength. The parameters are assessed for 23 major structural accidents and one existing structure and are analysed using a simple numerical interpretation. The accidents are ranked in their order of inevitability. Human errors of one form or another proved to be the dominant reasons for the failures considered. A simplified form of the proposed procedure for predicting the likelihood of structural accidents is outlined in Part II. This is then applied to the 24 accident parameter assessments made in Part I. The concept of fuzzy sets is used.