structural collapse
Load-bearing breakdown
Structural collapse is the failure of a building, bridge, or other constructed framework, in which load-bearing elements give way and the structure falls in on itself or crumbles.
The phrase appears in engineering reports, disaster coverage, and safety discussions.
Investigators blamed the structural collapse on corroded support beams.
Figuratively, structural collapse can describe the breakdown of systems or organizations: The scandal led to the structural collapse of the entire department.
- earthquakeSeismic ground movement
- soil liquefactionEarthquake-triggered ground failure
- rescue operationsOrganized efforts to save endangered people
- landslideMass of earth falling
- design flawBuilt-in error in planning
weight limit · oversight · corrosion · domino effect · tsunami · cost-cutting · pancake · implosion · controlled demolition · stress fractures · brittleness · human error · thermal expansion · corruption · sabotage · hurricane · extreme weather · tornado
- demolitiondemolish, raze, bulldoze, controlled demolition, wreck
- disastersdisaster, earthquake, earthquakes, catastrophe, floods
- hazardsfire hazard, fire hazards, toxin, contamination, tripping hazard
- wildfire aftermathdebris, embers, rubble, scorched earth, smoke damage
- building damagecracked foundation, wall crack, bowing, sagging, hairline cracks
- collapsescave-in, dam failure, crumbling, buckling, implosion
structural collapseconstruction
Process of building something
erection · building · assembly · preservation · restoration