The dynamic collapse of a portion of Building A-4 of the Skyline Plaza Project at Bailey's Crossroads, Va., predicated an extensive investigation of the remaining structure to determine its salvageability. As part of this investigation two types of load tests were performed. Column shear load tests were made in a portion of the structure which was being demolished. These tests were performed to estimate the shear capacity of the flat plate slabs at the columns. Basically, the tests involved isolating the test area around the column by saw cutting the concrete slab. The isolated slab section was loaded in increments until failure using eight post-tensioning rams reacting against the column two floors down. Load-deflection data were used to compute the appropriate shear value.

Several static load tests of the slabs were also performed. These tests utilized the loading criteria given in Chapter 20 of the American Concrete Institute's (ACI) 318-71, “Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete.” Water was used for the required loads with the depth of water and deflection of the slab under load monitored by remote instrumentation. In several cases the loaded areas were more than one-half of the total floor slab area.