Collapse Investigation of a Dome-Shaped Structure

A dome-shaped structure consisting of arched steel trusses and a tensioned fabric membrane collapsed during a winter storm in 2016. The dome was constructed circa 1977 and was strengthened in 2011 to support the addition of fans installed at two truss crowns. This study presents an investigation of the dome’s collapse, which included site visits, review of available design drawings, analysis of weather data, and finite element modeling of the dome truss. The investigation indicated that wind and snow loads at the time of the collapse were significantly less than their code-required design loads. Stresses due to addition of the fans were negligibly small, and the fabric membrane and its steel cable tensioning the fabric had significantly deteriorated prior to the collapse. As a result, the authors concluded that the collapse was most likely initiated by a sudden change in the dome geometry caused by membrane failure leading to overstressing of the steel trusses. This study concludes with recommendations for the analysis, design, and maintenance of dome structures.