Impact Mitigation for Buried Structures: Demolition of the New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum

We present an overview of the analysis and design of mitigation schemes for buried structures subjected to impact loading, with a focus on the hazard evaluation to underground utilities from the demolition by implosion of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, CT, due to implosion. We discuss analytical and numerical investigations validated by field testing conducted prior to the implosion and leading to the design of the mitigation schemes aimed at protecting the utilities buried under the roadway. The mitigation schemes were successful during the January 2007 implosion of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.Copyright © 2007 by ASME