Avoid a poor-quality constructed project

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A poorly constructed project is also dangerous during and after the construction of the project. 

You need to adhere to quality control on your construction projects. 

Here are two examples of building failures due to a poorly constructed project.

The Hard Rock Hotel collapse in New Orleans occurred on October 12, 2019, in which 3 people died, 

The Champlain Towers South Building collapsed occurred on June 24, 2921, in which 98 people died. 

In review of the Hard Rock Hotel Collapse, you will see from this picture that the west side of the building sheared off from the core of the main building. 


Hard Rock Hotel  

In OSHA's review of the collapsed building, they reviewed the structural drawings and found that the decking spans exceeded the pan decking manufacturer's recommendations for span distances. 


                   Spans Exceed metal decking requirement

OSHA also found that the west side of the building was not tied to the core of the building.  

         Structural Drawings Hard Rock Hotel 

After the collapse of the building, a quality control inspector reviewed the damaged building. He took over 1000 pictures and shared his findings on my YouTube video reviewing the collapse. 

He stated.

1) Significant deflection of the concrete slabs. 

2) Shallow and corroded reinforcing steel 

3) Structural cracking of reinforced beams and spans

The 2nd Example is the Champlain Towers South building collapse.

     Champlain Towers South Collapse

The inspectors that review the aftermath of the collapse found that there was no punching shear reinforcing steel at the columns. 

   Inadequate punching shear rebar at the column

Another deficiency they found was that the number of slab reinforcing bars centered over vertical columns was inadequate and that the reinforcing bars in the top of the slabs in the vicinity of the columns were spaced farther apart than the design required. These deviations weaken the slab column connection, 

In both examples, they had no inspections performed on the structure as it was being built. 

To ensure that you do not have a catastrophe on your project ensure that your Construction Manager or Contractor has a Quality Control program during the construction of your project. 


My YouTube video reviewing the Hard Rock Hotel Collapse


My YouTube video reviewing the Champlain Towers South Collapse and the Factor of Safety in the Design of your buildings. 



Shettig Construction Management provides Professional Construction Management services from the inception of your project through completion. www.shettig.com

mshettig@gmail.com





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