Presentation Description:
The collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel under construction in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 12, 2019, remains one of the most significant structural failures in recent U.S. history. The 18-story mixed-use structure suffered a progressive collapse during construction, resulting in multiple fatalities, extensive property damage, and years of litigation, investigation, and demolition efforts.
This presentation will provide a forensic engineering case study of the collapse from the perspective of the structural investigation and independent engineering review. Attendees will gain insight into the project's evolution, including numerous late-stage design revisions, coordination challenges, shop drawing reviews, delegated connection design issues, and construction-phase decision making. The discussion will examine how deviations from accepted engineering practice, lack of coordination, and deficiencies in critical structural elements contributed to a building that was unable to satisfy code-required performance expectations.
The presentation will review the forensic investigation process, including document analysis, field observations, structural modeling, load path evaluations, and root-cause failure analysis. Particular emphasis will be placed on the design and performance of the composite floor slabs, transfer beams, transfer beam connections, cantilevered balcony framing, shoring systems, and construction-stage loading conditions.
In addition to the technical engineering aspects of the failure, the presentation will explore broader lessons regarding quality control, peer review, engineering ethics, standard of care, design coordination, and risk management. The Hard Rock Hotel collapse provides a unique opportunity to examine how seemingly isolated design decisions can compound over time and contribute to catastrophic structural failures. Attendees will leave with practical insights that can be applied to future projects to improve design quality, communication, constructability, and public safety.
About the Presenter:
Jacob Bice, Ph.D., P.E. is a Senior Principal and Managing Director with Walter P Moore's Diagnostics and Forensics practice in Dallas, Texas. He specializes in forensic structural engineering, building enclosure consulting, failure investigations, litigation support, and complex construction disputes.
Dr. Bice has investigated numerous structural collapses, building failures, construction defects, and performance-related issues involving commercial, institutional, industrial, and residential structures throughout the United States. His work frequently involves root-cause failure analysis, evaluation of professional standard of care, assessment of construction defects, and expert witness testimony.
He has extensive experience performing independent engineering reviews, forensic analyses, and multidisciplinary investigations involving structural systems, building enclosures, waterproofing systems, and construction practices. Dr. Bice regularly presents to professional organizations, attorneys, insurers, contractors, and engineers on topics related to forensic engineering, lessons learned from failures, and risk management in design and construction.
Jacob holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer. He serves as Managing Director of Walter P Moore's Dallas office and leads complex forensic investigations and litigation support engagements nationwide.