Investigation of airplane hangar collapse in Florida caused by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne.

A collapsed airplane hangar was one of many structures that sustained damage from Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne, which devastated Florida in summer 2004. Recorded wind speeds reached as high as 145 mph. An engineer from Weidlinger Associates traveled to the state and catalogued damage to buildings and other structures, gathered statistics on the hurricanes' strength and measured effects, and educated the client about recent changes in Florida building codes as they pertained to the damaged structures.

The hangar was a large metal Butler-type building with steel frames and metal roof and wall panels. It was approximately 150 x 125 feet and housed a variety of private planes at the Kissimmee Municipal Airport. Hurricane Charley induced severe torsional moments in the building, resulting in the collapse of multiple frame lines. Several planes also sustained varying degrees of damage from the collapse. The building was so badly damaged that the only reasonable option was to demolish it.

Completion Date: 2004
Location: Kissimmee, Forida
Owner or Client: Kissimmee Private Plane Airport
Prime Consultant(s): WAI Prime; Friedman Rubin & White