In 1999, cutting began on October 3rd and the stacking process would have
normally taken from two to three weeks to complete. Prior to the actual construction of
the stack, the ground is lime stabilized and compacted as a precaution. In 1994, heavy
rains just prior to the bonfire caused the stack to collapse when the ground underneath the
stack became unstable. A center pole, first used in 1945, is set and the logs are stacked in
six tiers around the center pole in a wedding cake design. The 1999 center pole arrived
on site on October 30th.
The Center pole is constructed using two utility poles, which are spliced together.
The 1999 center pole was 105 feet long and was buried approximately fourteen
feet in the ground. The two matching notches, approximately ten feet long, are cut into
the poles and the notches are joined together with five gallons of glue. Eight long bolts
and four steel plates are added to secure the joint. A 3/8-inch cable is then wrapped
around the joint and the cable is secured to the pole with steel staples. The diagram in
Figure One, below, provides an illustration of the technique employed in the construction
of the center pole.
A top cap is added to the center pole and serves as an attachment point for two
“tag lines” that go through a series of pulleys. The tag lines are used to raise the timbers.
Guy ropes, consisting of one inch manila ropes having a rated load capacity of 1,900
pounds, are also attached and are fastened to four light towers for stability, as illustrated
in Figure Two, below. The lights are necessary since most of the construction takes place
after dark. Approximately fifty carabiners are secured to top of the pole, which are used
by the workers on the stack. They are suspended with ropes that connect to carabiners
and assist with the hoisting of the logs onto the stack. Each log is individually secured to
the stack with bailing wire.
There are no official guidelines regulating the actual construction of the stack,
but recommendations are passed down each year from the Red Pots. The Red Pots are
a group of nine seniors and nine juniors that actually manage the overall construction
of the bonfire. The Red Pot in overall command is known as the Head Stack.
By 1969, the bonfire stack had grown to over 109 feet as each succeeding class
tried to outdo the one before. Since 1970, however, the finished stack has been intended
to be limited to fifty-five (55) feet in height and forty-five feet in width as a safety precaution.
Surveying equipment is used to make sure that the center pole is straight and to
mark how high each of the six tiers will reach. Four perimeter poles are also placed 150
feet away and ropes are stretched from the perimeter poles to center pole and tension is
placed on the lines in order to hold the wooden spine together.
The majority of the work is performed manually, but cranes are used to assist in
lifting the logs onto the higher tiers. The cranes are donated and there are volunteers
from construction companies on site during the construction process to offer advice to
the students, although the advisors do not participate in the actual construction of the
stack. Construction crews work in two shifts. The first shift works from 18:00 hours
until midnight. The second shift starts at midnight and works until 06:00 hours. Fortunately,
a rigid accountability system is used to monitor the workers at the construction
site. Many workers do not routinely carry identification on their person during a
normal shift and the accountability system proved invaluable in the identification of the
collapse victims.
Fay Engineering Corporation of Denver, Colorado prepared a historical description
and examination of the bonfire for the special commission, which investigated the
1999 collapse. As a part of the their research, a composite design was prepared based
upon photos of the bonfire from 1978 to 1998. The photos were located in the archives
of Cushing Memorial Library.
The bonfire stack is “crowned” with an outhouse affectionately known as the “t.u.
tearoom or frat house”. The outhouse is approximately seven feet tall and is not included
in the fifty-five foot standard construction height. An Austin highway sign is also placed
at the top and traditionally lists the sophomore class year as the miles to Austin. In previously times, the outhouse and highway sign were “acquired”, but now are built by
the students or are donated for the event. The bonfire is ignited using 700 gallons of
diesel fuel, which is applied by members of the Fire Training School staff. When ignited,
the spiral arrangement of the stack causes the bonfire to collapse into itself in a twisting
motion as it burns.
Next » The Collapse
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