162 COLLAPSE OF TEXAS TOWER NO. 4 



(The memorandum referred to is as follows :) 



January 20, 1961. 

 From: 20. 

 To: Files. 



Subject: Evaluation of requirements and determination of scope for inspection 

 of Texas towers 2 and 3. 



1. In response to the U.S. Air Force 26tli Air Division dispatch 172100Z, a 

 meeting was held at the office of the District Public Works Officer, 1st Naval 

 District on Thursday, January 19, to discuss requirements and determine scope 

 of the requested inspection of Texas towers 2 and 3. The following persons 

 were in attendance: 



Dr. P. C. Rutledge, Moran, Proctor, Mueser & Rutledge. 



Maj. R. W. Mix, USAF, Otis Air Force Base. 



Mr. C. E. Hadrun, 26th Air Force Division Headquarters. 



Mr. H. N. Grattan, 26th Air Force Division Headquarters. 



Mr. J. J. McConnell, Otis Air Force Base. 



Capt. T. J. White, CEC, USN, District Public Works Office, IND. 



Capt. W. R. Boyer, CEC, USN, District Public Works Office, IND. 



Mr. R. S. Seddon, District Public Works Office, IND. 



Mr. R. S. Seddon, District Public Works Office, IND. 



2. After discussion it was concluded that the following areas should be inves- 

 tigated and evaluated to enable a determination that Texas towers 2 and 3 were 

 structurally capable of meeting the original design criteria and performing their 

 intended functions : 



(a) Make magnaflux, radiographic or other recognized tests deemed neces- 

 sary to provide maximum possible evidence of absence or presence of defects 

 at all welds on shear plates and girders at the leg connections ; all high stress 

 areas of the girders also, the legs in the critical areas, from the top deck to a 

 point approximately 25 feet below the bottom deck. It was decided also that if 

 the results of these investigations indicated areas or i)oints of fatigue or excess 

 stress, that further such investigations as indicated necessary would be 

 conducted. 



(&) Inspection for corrosion in the high stress areas of the structure particu- 

 larly in the underwater portions of the caissons and in the shear plates and 

 girder areas at leg connections also, for the effectiveness of cathodic protection. 



(c) Underwater inspection for determination of any possible structural dam- 

 age, scour at the caissons and to investigate and recommend action regarding 

 the sunken fender at TT-2. It was recognized that effective diving operations 

 probably could not be undertaken until late spring or early summer and that 

 such delay on this item would of necessity have to be accepted. 



(d) The tilted leg on TT-3 was discussed but it was concluded that the re- 

 sults of magnafluxing or other investigation at the connections between this leg 

 and the platform structure would indicate the effects of tilt in the leg involved, 

 upon the structural and stability characteristics of the tower. 



(e) Re-analyze the stresses in and the safety of these structures under the con- 

 ditions of wind and wave effects experienced at TT-4 during Hurricane Donna 

 (1960) being encountered at the respective sites. It was concluded that assist- 

 ance by the Oceanographic Institute at Woods Hole would be required to evaluate 

 all reports of the wind and wave conditions experienced at TT-4 and to extend 

 the results of these evaluations to the maximum wind and wave conditions that 

 should now be considered possible at the locations of TT-2 and TT-3. The 

 Navy (Mr. Seddon) agreed to arrange for this analysis and evaluation and to 

 provide such data to MPMR without cost. 



(/) If, upon completion of the above analysis, a need for structural strengthen- 

 ing of these towers is indicated, to recommend design modifications or improve- 

 ments deemed necessary to increase the structural capabilities of the towers. 



3. The request for a study to determine the feasibility of installing instru- 

 mentation or indicators to forecast structural conditions of the towers was 

 deemed to be a separate matter and accordingly would be handled as such. It 

 was, however, pointed out that previous studies regarding instrumentation for 

 movement and stress measurements had been made and it was generally felt that 

 the reports of these studies could be reviewed, revised or updated as appropriate 

 in the light of recent developments in this area and effective recommendations 

 made. 



