Failure analysis of the collapse of a raised steel wine tank

As structural damage or even catastrophic collapses are sometimes due to improper design, underestimated design loads unexpectedly extreme loads, progressive collapse and robustness has recently received a great deal of attention, while the number scientific papers published on topic grown considerably. This paper describes an analysis failure 106 m3 steel raised wine tank belonging local producer that suddenly collapsed, fortunately without personal injury, but causing significant company's facilities. The generated other tanks next first one failed. After several visits inspect accident site, diagnosis was made determine causes. Possible reasons were examined by visual inspections experimental tests specimens recovered from collapsed structures, which allowed mechanical properties study fracture surfaces scanning electron microscopy micrographs. On hand, load-carrying capacities structure studied linear-static finite-element nonlinear-static push-over analysis. mechanism system found be cyclic horizontal pressurized air injection system. results conclude this type is highly vulnerable very little capacity activate alternative loas paths. also possible solution could used improve performance typology against loading, based lessons learned experience.