Failure Analysis of the Arecibo Observatory 305-Meter Telescope Collapse.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences

Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment

Committee on Analysis of Causes of Failure and Collapse of the 305-Meter Telescope at the Arecibo Observatory

Series:

Consensus Study Report

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Arecibo Observatory--Design and construction--Analysis.

Arecibo Observatory.

National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (U.S.).

Reflecting telescopes--Puerto Rico--Design and construction--Analysis.

Reflecting telescopes.

Meteorological stations--Puerto Rico--Design and construction--Evaluation.

Meteorological stations.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (113 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, 2025.

Summary:

"Building and operating cutting-edge, custom-designed research facilities presents unique challenges, where prior designs and experience may not be a reliable guide and unprecedented modes of failure can never be fully anticipated. In 2020, the National Science Foundation's telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico collapsed, impacting the work of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center. Failure Analysis of the Arecibo Observatory 305-Meter Telescope Collapse analyzes the causes of the collapse through extensive review of prior forensic investigations, information gathering from employees at Arecibo Observatory, study of relevant research, consultations with other experts, and examination of structural analyses, engineering plans, inspection reports, photographs, and repair proposals. This report presents lessons learned and makes recommendations to help ensure the safe operation of other unique, critical science facilities."--Publisher.

Contents:

Intro

FrontMatter

Dedication

Reviewers

Contents

Preface

Summary

1 Introduction

2 The Collapse: What Happened

3 Analysis

4 Arecibo Telescope's Management and Oversight

5 Other Lessons Learned

Bibliography

Appendixes

Appendix A: Committee Member Biographical Information

Appendix B: Information-Gathering Activities

Appendix C: Arecibo Telescope Cable Failure Mechanisms Considered by the Committee

Appendix D: Arecibo Telescope Design Issues Considered by the Committee

Appendix E: Acronyms and Abbreviations.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

0-309-70225-9

0-309-70223-2

OCLC:

1515261907