How Do You Spell PROGRESSIVE COLLAPSE?

Pronunciation: [pɹəɡɹˈɛsɪv kəlˈaps] (IPA)

Progressive collapse is a term used in building engineering to describe a catastrophic failure of a structure, whereby the failure of one element causes a chain reaction of failures, ultimately resulting in the collapse of the entire structure. The spelling of "progressive collapse" is transcribed as /prəˈɡres.ɪv ˈkɒlæps/. The first syllable, "pro", is pronounced with a short "o" sound, followed by a schwa, and the stress falls on the second syllable "gres". The second word "collapse" is pronounced with the stress falling on the first syllable "col", followed by a long "a" sound and a "ps" sound at the end.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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PROGRESSIVE COLLAPSE Meaning and Definition

  1. Progressive collapse is a term used in structural engineering to describe the failure of a building or structure due to the sequential and disproportionate damage of key load-bearing elements, resulting in a rapid and widespread collapse. It refers to a specific form of structural failure where the failure of one component triggers a cascading effect that progressively leads to the collapse of the entire structure.

    In progressive collapse, the initial failure can be caused by extreme forces such as explosions, natural disasters, or human errors, and it typically occurs in buildings with multiple levels or floors. Once the primary load-bearing element fails, the transfer of loads to adjacent members exceeds their capacity, leading to their subsequent failure.

    This phenomenon can be detrimental as it poses a significant threat to human life, property, and infrastructure. The progressive collapse resistance of a building is of great concern while considering safety and design standards. Structural engineers aim to incorporate measures and precautions to mitigate the risk of progressive collapse, such as redundant structural systems, robust connections, and the proper design of load paths to ensure that any localized failure does not propagate throughout the structure.

    Overall, progressive collapse refers to the sequential and widespread failure of a structure initiated by the failure of a single component, increasing the vulnerability of the overall system.

Etymology of PROGRESSIVE COLLAPSE

The word "progressive collapse" consists of two parts: "progressive" and "collapse".

- "Progressive" comes from the Latin word "progressus", which means "to go forward" or "to advance". It is derived from the verb "progredi", where "pro" means "forward" and "gradi" means "to walk" or "to step". The term "progressive" refers to something that proceeds or develops gradually in a forward direction.

- "Collapse" originates from the Latin word "collapsus", which is the past participle of "collabi". "Collabi" is a combination of "com" (together) and "labi" (to fall). Therefore, "collapse" means to fall together or to give way under pressure.

So, "progressive collapse" essentially suggests a collapse that occurs gradually or in stages.