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Newsletter No 27 - July 2012
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Report Overview
The focus this time is on end connections for the cable or rod systems of tension structures. There have been several failures associated with such components; some reported in the press and some to CROSS. Clearly these are safety critical items which are usually subject to high loads and the failure of any one of them in a system may lead to progressive collapse. Comments from the CROSS panel of experts focus on the importance of specifications, the quality of materials and manufacturing, and the criteria for testing and acceptance. An Alert, “Cable and Rod Tension Connectors”, will shortly be published by SCOSS and posted on the web site. Two of the reports suggest that improper or incorrect documentation may have contributed to the problems. In one case documents appeared to the reporter to be have been forged and in the other the meaning was inadequate and misleading. The message is that documentation for important elements, including those in tension systems, must be carefully checked and that a degree of caution may be wise. Things may be not always be what they seem. The CROSS programme depends on receiving reports and individuals and firms are encouraged to participate by sending concerns in confidence to structural-safety
Overview of Reports in this Newsletter
222 Concern about bridge hangers
A reporter says there was a failure in recent years involving the cast connections at each end of vertical bars, which connected to a bow string arch at one end and to a bridge deck at the other. The reporter’s view is that these components are potentially of a similar design to those in use elsewhere. If this assumption is correct, other structures, be they bridges, stadia, or other buildings using the components may be at a higher risk of failure than anticipated.
254 Steel connector failures and forged certificates
According to a reporter, some suppliers are receiving components that are accompanied by certificates that are potentially false or forged.
256 Adequacy of termination connectors for tensile bars
The following report is intended to raise concern regarding the structural adequacy, quality control and inspection techniques used in the manufacture of proprietary bar systems, in particular the cast end terminations of the bar systems.
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