A report released yesterday by the University of South Alabama concluded that the collapse of the school’s football training facility during construction on July 22 was the result of an installation error.
Very sad as a @USAJaguarSports alumna, the progress on the Jaguar Training Center has collapsed. @LOCAL15NEWS pic.twitter.com/uOQx8Iuhu0
— Alyssa Newton (@AlyssaKNewton) July 22, 2017
The 22-page report compiled by Donan Engineering of Louisville, Ky., states that despite 46 mph winds recorded on the date of collapse, weather conditions were “not considered severe or damaging.”
According to the report, "No severe weather reports were documented by the NOAA SPC. No collateral indicators of wind damage, such as displaced equipment or felled trees, were found at this site.”
Instead, the report attributes the structure failure to an “absence of adequate lateral bracing” in the north end framing which “caused a domino effect whereby as the north end fell, it subsequently caused a collapse of the remaining structure."
Independent forensic engineer with Donan Engineering Jonathon Woodward told AL.com that the USA Jaguar Training Center cannot be rebuilt, and efforts will instead be focused on recovering salvageable building materials.
Cleanup efforts began at the former construction site and surrounding area this week after the conclusion of investigations by engineers and university insurance providers.
According to a university spokesperson, the project will resume after an evaluation of “the appropriate next steps.” The university did not reference a time frame for the intended second attempt.
Related from AB: South Alabama Football Training Facility Collapses