The Miami Champlain towers building was constructed in 1981, making it 40 years old. Its next to the ocean, front row. This proximity to the ocean means that the air and moisture around it has elements of salt within it. Salt accelerates steel reinforcement corrosion. This corrosion reduces the size of the steel diameter and also reduces the grip of the steel reinforcement on the concrete surrounding it.
Steel Rebar.
This reduction in size of rusted steel and loss of grip is especially very dangerous on the columns that support the building’s weight, especially the columns in the lower part of the building, foundation and 1st floor.
The Champlain building had a basement parking where the columns had visible rusting and concrete cancer on the lower parts. A recent structural engineering report had recommended repair of the affected columns but was not effected.
Sale value.
The 3 bedroomed apartments were valued at kes 100,000,000 per unit. The owners had an association where they managed the affairs of the building block such as repairs . The management had in 2020 contracted Engineer Frank Morabito to check on the structural viability of the building.
Management.
Condominium apartments usually have problems with management unlike rental apartments where there is only 1 owner so information flow is easily acted on. In condominium sale apartment situations, the board is elected from the owners hence abit slow in acting on issues. In the Miami case, after the structural engineer gave out his report, the management board took long to act on the issues raised until the building collapsed.
Kenyan Coast.
Apartment ownership in Kenya is on the increase around the city, Kilimani, Upper Hill areas and around the Kenyan coast, Watamu, Diani, Mombasa areas. This Miami building collapse case should be a wake up call to apartment building owners to ensure that their building blocks are regularly checked by structural engineers and action is promptly taken to repair any issues raises especially for the apartments around the coast, Mombasa, Diani, Shanzu, Watamu etc.
Architect Francis Gichuhi Kamau.
gichuhi@a4architect.com
0721410684
Leave a Reply