Partial Roof Collapse at Community College

[phamENG]

Thomas Nelson Community College’s auditorium roof collapses

Located in Hampton, Virginia. Details are still pretty thin, but thankfully nobody was hurt. I know we have a member on here with an office not far away from the campus - perhaps his firm will be doing the investigation and can share some insights.

 

[FacEngrPE]

Local to me as well. No evidence of the usual suspect (clogged roof drains and considerable water on the roof) reported by first responders.

TNCC is a two year collage with significant Technical offerings, it is part of our state operated higher education system.

https://www.tncc.edu/about/admin/academic-divisions

I suspect the internal technical interest will make it more likely than not that a public report will eventually be published.

Roof partially collapses at Thomas Nelson Community College's performing arts building Author: Savannah Haugdahl (WVEC) Published: 11:06, AM EDT April 6, 2021, Updated: 3:47 PM EDT April 6, 2021

Roof collapses at Thomas Nelson Community College's Templin Hall in Hampton WAVY News Apr 6, 2021 / 12:14 PM EDT

 

[bimr]

Probably needed roof work after 20 years, but maintenance was neglected.

 

[bones206]

Whenever I see a new collapse thread, my first thought is: what kind of precast this time? And more often or not, there's a pile of hollowcore planks or some such laying on the ground. Maybe that's just me...

 

[hokie66]

bones,

Agree, but looks like steel trusses this time.

 

[FacEngrPE]

Steel truss, metal pan, with insulation on top covered by membrane roof is a common construction here. This system is often used on local school buildings. <Guess> This MIGHT be the system used here.

</Guess>

 

[bones206]

Here's a video cap from one the news articles. Looks like HC planks spanning between trusses.

 

[bones206]

Do you guys reckon this truss failed? Looks like the first diagonal is gone.

 

[phamENG]

Possibly. Looks like there's a steel column and CMU wall back there that probably aligned with and supported that truss.