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Christian Horn writes:
“The investigation identified two possible failure modes. Several external struts punctured the shell on the north side at the footbridge openings. Detailed calculations made during the inquiry indicate that some struts would have been overstressed. On the south side, the shell's edge beam fractured, falling off its bearings to the ground. Either of these mechanisms could have been the prime trigger.
“But the report states that the concrete roof shell was inherently weak. The building was not designed to support the stress it was put under, and the concrete creep and fatigue caused by cyclical (irregular and intermittent) loading accelerated the failure. Finally, the introduction of connecting walkways into the side of the terminal created additional strain to the structure.
“Berthier's team ruled out a shearing failure of columns supporting the flat tube-shaped roof as the cause of the disaster. Subject to further analysis, the investigative commission also eliminated foundation pile settlement and the legacy of known column construction problems as likely causes.”
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