Another Look at the L'Ambiance Plaza Collapse
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VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 14, Issue 4
Abstract
The collapse of the L'Ambiance Plaza building, under construction in Bridgeport, Conn., in 1987, killed 28 construction workers. A number of concurrent investigations were undertaken to attempt to determine the cause. At least six separate theories were developed. However, a prompt legal settlement kept these investigations from being completed. This paper reviews the collapse and discusses the competing theories. The failure focused controversy on the safety of the lift-slab construction method. Because there is a need in civil engineering education for case studies to illustrate ethical and professional issues as well as technical principles, this paper also addresses these aspects. Ways for civil engineering educators to use this case study to address these issues also are discussed.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 14 • Issue 4 • November 2000
Pages: 160 - 165
History
Received: Dec 29, 1999
Published online: Nov 1, 2000
Published in print: Nov 2000
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