Dallas Cowboys Practice Facility: Anatomy of a Collapse

Rasko Ojdrovic, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE
Senior Principal
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

In May 2009, a practice facility used by the Dallas Cowboys collapsed during a storm that had wind speeds
less severe than the nominal wind speed for which the structure was designed. An investigation of the collapse
detailed several design errors that probably led to the failure of the large, fabric-covered steel structure.