Transcona Grain_Design V copy

TRANSCONA GRAIN ELEVATOR COLLAPSE EVAN MARTILOTTA | LOPICCOLO | SUMMER 2025

SITE LOCATION

WINNEPEG, CANADA | OCTOBER 1913

ELEVATION

PLAN

DOCUMENTATION & BORINGS TRANSCONA GRAIN ELEVATOR

BEARING CAPACITY & TERZAGHI TRANSCONA GRAIN ELEVATOR

WHAT WENT WRONG? *No deep geotechnical investigation, lower clay layer overlooked *Plate load test limited in depth and scale! *Assumed soil was homogeneous based on surface conditions *Foundation load penetrated beyond stiff clay into weaker soil *Load exceeded true bearing capacity of lower clay stratum *Rigidity of the double slab foundation transferred stresses deeper, resulting in catastrophic geologic hear failure

RECOMMENDATIONS - MORE INVESTIGATION BETTER Always conduct deep geotechnical investigations, not just shallow tests Avoid assuming soil homogeneity — test at critical depths Choose foundation type appropriate to soil profile (piles, caissons) Require interdisciplinary coordination between geotechnical and structural engineers Follow ethical standards prioritizing safety over assumptions

THE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED *Inadequate soil exploration no boreholes or lab testing *Misinterpretation of in-situ testing and overreliance on assumptions *Ignored potential for heterogeneity in clay behavior *Design team did not integrate geotechnical expertise *Ethical lapse: proceeding without proper subsurface knowledge

ETHICAL CONCERNS Violated principles of reasonable care and due diligence Demonstrated failure to protect public welfare and property Assumed rather than verified soil behavior overconfidence in precedent Modern Code of Ethics (AIA Rule 3.102, 2.105) stresses: *Only work within areas of expertise Refuse unsafe decisions and report concerns

THE FAILURE DESCRIBED *Elevator filled to 87.5% *Settlement observed within 1 hour: 300 mm tilt westward *Within 24 hours, structure rotated 27° due to foundation soil failure *No fatalities, but total structural and operational loss *Triggered post-failure investigations and deeper soil sampling

RIGHTING THE SHIP & SOLUTIONS Foundation Company Limited implemented repairs: *Excavated under slabs *Installed supporting piles *Restored verticality and stability In 1970, sold to Parrish & Heimbecker, still in operation today Collapse became a landmark case in foundation design education

SUMMARY *A classic case of foundation failure due to insufficient soil knowledge *Reinforced importance of geotechnical diligence in all major structures *Led to long-term changes in soil testing standards and structural risk management *A reminder that engineering decisions must be both technically and ethically sound

TRANSCONA GRAIN ELEVATOR COLLAPSE EVAN MARTILOTTA | LOPICCOLO | SUMMER 2025