Breaking News…

26 years after its time as the focal point of the 1982 World’s Fair, the final sunset approaches for one of Knoxville’s most famous landmarks.

Speaking on terms of anonymity, officials with the Knox County Building Inspector’s office confirmed late Monday that the results of a recent series of structural evaluations of the Sunsphere call for the immediate demolition of the Knoxville landmark. According to county officials, a private study was recently commissioned in light of escalating deterioration of the Sunsphere. The results of the evaluation by independent engineering firm Simpson, Smithers & Bart, determined that the aging structure is not only unsafe for habitation, but presents a “serious risk of structural failure in the foreseeable future.” The engineering report, which is set to be released on Wednesday at a press conference scheduled by the mayor’s office, cites serious structural fatigue in the primary support stantions, which have already caused the monument to lean approximately 7 degrees to the west.

While the report makes it clear that the Sunsphere is not an “imminent risk to public safety,” due to a series of temporary reinforcements made during the the evaluation process, it goes on to note that the temporary reinforcements are only intended to prevent “systemic failure” prior to the the complete dismantling of the building. The report ultimately recommended that the structure be demolished “with all deliberate speed.“

Apparently fearing a public safety crisis, the City of Knoxville has already directed all occupants of the Sunsphere to vacate within the next 48 hours, and has made arangements for the demolition to commence later this week. Regional demolition contractor D.H. Shoffner has confirmed its crews will begin work on the project as early as Thursday morning, and that, absent unforeseen circumstances, the 600 ton structure is set to be imploded on the morning of April 13. Due to the emergent nature of this project, it is currently expected to cost in excess of $4.1 million. Despite inquiries, the Mayor’s office declined to comment.

As part of the analysis of the Sunsphere’s condition, Simpson, Smithers & Bart developed a computerized model demonstrating the stresses on the structure, and a likely scenario for structural failure. Click video (or link) below to see their analysis.

Sunsphere Structural Analysis

http://gate21.net/wp-content/uploads/Multimedia/Sunsphere.flv

Man, that is scary…

(April Fools)

• Also check out all the fun over at Your Mother Slept with Nick Saban and Now Thinks You’re Utterly Inadequate (Formerly Known as Your Mother Slept With Wilt Chamberlain)

– Go Figure …

Images Courtesy of: The Sunsphere is not a Wig Shop & Sunsphere Knoxville

About the Author:  "Lawvol" -- I'm just a guy living in North Carolina who has an unnatural fascination with the color orange. Just because I'm a Tennessee alum and die-hard Volunteer fan doesn't mean that I can't poke a little fun at the Big Orange and anybody else for that matter. Feel free to complain all you want. >> Read more from this author

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