Owner of deck says support beam caused collapse

ATLANTA - The owner of a parking deck that partially collapsed this week has says it was caused by a support beam that fell out of place.

David Tyndall of Gateway Development said that the horizontal beam, known as a spandrel, was designed to hold up floor sections of the deck. He said when the beam popped out on Monday, it allowed sections of the fifth floor to collapse onto the floor below.

Tyndall said structural engineers will have to determine why it happened.

Atlanta Fire and Rescue spokesman Bobby Stewart said Wednesday 169 cars, including those not damaged, have been removed from the lot, but hundreds remain.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/7/221543