Hard Rock Hotel Collapse
Objective engineering under complex conditions
Project Facts
| Location | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Status | Completed |
Overview
Following the partial collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel during construction in New Orleans, Walter P Moore was engaged to provide independent structural assessment and technical evaluation. Working alongside legal counsel and the general contractor, our team examined structural performance, documented surrounding conditions, and delivered clear, defensible findings under significant safety constraints and public scrutiny.
Services
Challenges
Compromised Stability
The partially collapsed structure presented ongoing instability, limiting access and increasing risk during assessment activities.
Elevated Crane Hazard
Two damaged tower cranes posed an imminent threat to nearby buildings and public right-of-way prior to removal.
Urban Exposure
Nearly 200 adjacent properties required documentation within a dense, active central business district.
Structural System Complexity
The building’s gravity and lateral systems required independent evaluation of both intended and constructed conditions.
Extensive Technical Record
A large volume of design and construction documentation required detailed review to establish technical context.
Solutions
Early Condition Assessment
Engineers safely accessed the structure to observe, document, and evaluate post-collapse conditions.
Baseline Property Surveys
Conducted pre-implosion surveys of surrounding buildings to establish documented benchmarks for existing conditions.
Independent Performance Analysis
Completed gravity and lateral analyses to assess structural behavior relative to design intent and construction execution.
Calculation Review
Verified original structural calculations and assumptions to identify inconsistencies and performance gaps.
Event Sequence Analysis
Developed a clear, evidence-based timeline connecting structural behavior with key design and construction decisions.
Results
Documented Existing Conditions
Survey data provided a reliable technical basis for distinguishing pre-existing damage from collapse-related impacts.
Objective Engineering Conclusions
Independent analyses translated complex conditions into clear, fact-based findings.
Reduced Technical Uncertainty
Findings helped clarify structural performance questions for project stakeholders.
Litigation-Ready Support
Engineering documentation and conclusions supported expert testimony through case resolution.
Path to Recovery
Technical clarity supported safe site decision-making and enabled progress toward neighborhood recovery.
