Structural Failure

Building collapse is the failure of load-bearing structural elements, causing a building to fall or fail catastrophically / catastrophic failure (adapted from US Department of Labor, no date).

A building high-rise cladding fire hazard occurs when combustible materials such as cladding on a high-rise building greatly increases risk in the event of a fire and can have a catastrophic outcome (adapted from Rockpanel, no date)

Structural failure corresponds to the exceedance of ultimate limit state in many of the load-carrying elements, which compromise the structural stability of the building (Rossetto, 2013).

Bridge failure is the inability of a bridge, or its components, to perform as specified by its design and construction requirements (Wardhana and Hadipriono, 2003). Note: This definition includes bridges that have totally collapsed, partially collapsed and those that experienced distress, such as, exhibiting excessive deformation.

Dam failure is the collapse or movement of part of a dam or its foundation, such that the dam cannot retain water. In general, a failure results in a release of large quantities of water imposing risks on the people or property downstream (ICOLD, 2015).

Supply chain failure refers to an event in the supply chain that disrupts the flow of materials on their journey from initial suppliers through to final customers (Walters, 2007).

Critical Infrastructure failure is defined as the failure in one or more of the physical structures, facilities, networks and other assets which provide services that are essential to the social and economic functioning of a community or society (UNGA, 2016).