Explore: Specialty Considerations
Progressive Collapse
The avoidance of progressive collapse (or "disproportionate collapse") is a key consideration in government facilities and iconic structures, where the threat of terrorism is significant. HP has considerable experience with the efficient design of such buildings. Redundancy and ductility are two key components of progressive collapse prevention. As well as meeting the GSA guidelines for progressive collapse, HP also has experience working with the international provisions which allows us to consider and incorporate the best international standard practices into our designs.
• For the FBI Chicago Office, HP designed the structure with only a nominal cost premium over standard office construction while integrating special GSA required progressive collapse provisions in the design of the structure.
• At a proposed GSA facility, progressive collapse considerations were incorporated from the original concept design stage and led to the unique triangular shape of the building.
• At Caja Madrid, the entire weight is supported on the two end cores by means of multiple transfer levels for interior columns. HP’s design and detailing of the structure incorporated progressive collapse provisions.
