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Floor collapse at Enmore theatre, Sydney - carpet saves the day 2

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bugbus

bugbus

Structural
Aug 14, 2018
502
This could have been a complete catastrophe. A section of dance floor at Enmore theatre in Sydney collapses under the weight of dozens of people dancing. The carpet spanning across the hole appears to have kept everyone from falling through to the 4 m (12 ft) void beneath. No injuries recorded.

The building dates to 1908 and is a well-known music venue in Sydney.

The videos show people walking above where the collapse occurred, seemingly supported only by the carpet.

Capture3_tyed9l.png


 
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I'm not sure which is more impressive - the load bearing capabilities of that carpet, or the idiocy of the people who continue to walk on it...
 
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Another photo showing the extent of the collapse.

Apparently the same floor collapsed at a concert in 2000, but I can only find anecdotes on news comments, no actual stories.

1a70df4c5ab2b676692526f9473ca7d3fa30e37f_r7od3f.jpg
 
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Very reminiscent of the Beeders' homecoming in "The Horse's Mouth".


spsalso
 
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Probably an Axminister carpet with hand sewn seams.
 
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Which is the more likely scenario? Possibly a combination of both?

Untitled_quz3kq.png
 
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A bit of both. Have you ever tried to remove one of those carpet tack strips?
 
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You don't need much shear strength from the carpet tacks to keep it in place. Regular carpet tacks would be more than strong enough. Not to mention the sticking power of years of spilt drinks. The tensile strength over the edge would be the weak point.
 
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Tack strips often have the nail points slanted toward the wall.

There's also friction from the padding, if installed, since that's usually some sort of foamed polymer

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list
 
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The carpet would also be clamped in place with furniture, and folded and sewn around stairs etc. That sort of carpet laying is serious business. A real trade. It’s not just a few tack strips around the perimeter of a rectangle.
 
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...as long as the people on the carped didn't walk forward to see what the problem was.[pipe]

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik
 
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There is one old guy walking around, with a couple of bins, apparently picking up debris. Much braver than I.

They blamed it conveniently on the torrential rain that eastern Australia has been experiencing. And they said the show tonight will go on as scheduled. Anybody planning to go?
 
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Yep. The Acrow props on the back of that ute.
 
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OK. So there was "relentless rain" that apparently caused this. But the failure was in the middle of the room. How did the relentless rain manage to wash out a support in the middle of the room, and not cause other problems as it got there from outside the building?

Does "a river run through it"?

I don't suppose there was a 4x4 sitting on a pile of concrete blocks holding up the floor.

Naahhhh.....


spsalso
 
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The recent heavy rain is a bit like Covid. A good general purpose excuse.
 
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