RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY 313261

Session topic The Relevance of Ronan Point Today

Session objectives
To find out more about the 1968 Ronan Point disaster.

Intended audience
All civil and structural engineers involved in the structural design process.

Summary
Programme Ronan Point, a tower block in east London which suffered a fatal partial collapse in 1968 due to a gas explosion, was a critical event that changed the way UK engineers considered robustness. The tower in Canning Town was part of the wave of affordable prefabricated housing built in the 1960s in the UK in response to a general housing shortage. This programme, in the context of modern construction practice, takes a look at the relevance of Ronan Point today. Programme notes These notes are kindly provided by Tony Jones and Michael Bussell and are reproduced from a paper originally written for The Structural Engineer with kind permission.

RES 313261

Study notes

About the contributors

Tony Jones is leader of the structural development and support team within Arup. His expertise is in all aspects of structural concrete and Tony sits on both BSI and European code committees on the subject. He has investigated a number of failures and provided expert advice on their causes. Tony has contributed to numerous Concrete Society, IStructE and CIRIA publications on the use of concrete. He is currently a member of the IStructE Task Group on Robustness. Stuart Alexander has been a practising structural, civil and transport engineer for over 40 years. He has recently retired as WSP's Group Technical Coordinator, responsible for a team advancing and disseminating technical knowledge throughout WSP Group. He has wide experience in structural design, which he has applied in expert investigation and trouble-shooting, especially in the area of structural loadings and movements (particularly managing the effects of temperature, shrinkage, early-age contractions and creep in concrete, masonry and steel structures). Stuart is fully involved in supporting the profession, both through active membership of committees and working parties and by authoring papers and articles in professional journals.

Discussion Points
Describe the principal factors behind the collapse of Ronan Point. Explain how the Ronan Point tower was constructed. Outline the main milestones in the aftermath of the disaster. Explore how subsequent codes have embodied the principles of robustness and avoidance of progressive collapse. Explain the principal influences of the Ronan Point disaster on the designer of today.

RES 313261

Study notes

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY 313261

Notes
These notes are kindly provided by Tony Jones and Michael Bussell and are reproduced from a paper originally written for The Structural Engineer with kind permission.

RES 313261

Study notes

RES 313261

Study notes

RES 313261

Study notes

RES 313261

Study notes

RES 313261

Study notes

RES 313261