Global Fastener News

Fasteners Investigated in Boston Tunnel Death

Jason Sandefur

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
Editor’s Note: Articles in Media Spotlight are excerpts from publications or broadcasts that show the industry what the public is reading or hearing about fasteners and fastener companies.

Following the death of a woman who was killed when falling three-ton concrete slabs crushed her car in one of Boston’s Big Dig tunnels, investigators are focusing on the potential failure of a ceiling suspension system, according to the Boston Herald.
“Federal and state investigators are scrutinizing the strength of bolts used to secure the ceilings as well as the sturdiness of the concrete and whether adequate testing was done to ensure the tunnel’s ceiling would hold up under stress,” the Herald reported.
Federal transportation guidelines require such suspension systems be capable of handling eight times the supported load.
“Obviously, there was a failure in either quality control, design or construction,” stated U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch. “We cannot allow people to go back in these tunnels until we know they’re safe.”
Massachusetts Turnpike officials are examining records to determine whether concrete ceiling panels and steel tiebacks were stress-tested prior to installation. Tunnel administrator Matt Amorello claimed the support system was strength-tested in 1999 or 2000.
But a worker on the project told the Herald that after the metal fasteners were welded overhead into the I-beams there were no tests done to determine if the steel was secure.
“There were guys on a scissor lift banging the fasteners with a hammer. If it didn’t pop out, they were on to the next one.”
Other laborers have confirmed that X-ray exams and pull tests were rarely conducted.
The New York Times revealed that investigators believe a bolt attached to a metal tieback failed, causing the panels to fall.
“Concrete slabs in the roof (of the tunnel), instead of an aluminum system, looks like it was a decision to save money,” Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney told the Times. “The fastening system may be less expensive and may have been done to save money. That’s appalling. When you’re doing a system of this nature, you can’t afford any failure.” �2006 FastenerNews.com