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agtle
join:2013-03-09

agtle to peterboro

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to peterboro

Re: Elliot Lake Mall failure : An Engineering Perspective

said by peterboro:

... I wouldn't have engineered the structure that way either.

From reading the transcripts and exhibits, in the end, this is a typical complex failure, a number of errors and failures compounded to the end result.

The owner/builder chose an unproven, now prohibited method of waterproofing the parking deck / roof, that failed immediately. Multiple engineers made assumptions while designing the roof that later prevented anyone from properly fixing it (inadequate load capacity to replace the roofing system with something more conventional). The owners were reluctant to take drastic action (e.g., closing the parking). Later owners made repairs sporadically, and frequently aborted projects or switched contractors before they were finished. Consultants, engineers and experts throughout the structure's history failed to appreciate, or if they did, they failed to communicate to the owners, the magnitude of the danger to the steel structure posed by the leaking roof. Fireproofing on the steel, in large part, hid the true extent of the corrosion.

The transcripts and exhibits are all posted online and are a fascinating read, especially the forensic report: »www2.elliotlakeinquiry.c ··· 0274.pdf

There will be a lot of blame to go around, in the end, I think.

BonezX
Basement Dweller
Premium Member
join:2004-04-13
Canada

BonezX

Premium Member

said by agtle:

said by peterboro:

... I wouldn't have engineered the structure that way either.

Consultants, engineers and experts throughout the structure's history failed to appreciate, or if they did, they failed to communicate to the owners, the magnitude of the danger to the steel structure posed by the leaking roof. Fireproofing on the steel, in large part, hid the true extent of the corrosion.

or they told the owners, and that's why there was swapping of contractors.

people do it all the time with stuff that they shouldn't, cars, houses(holmes on homes comes to mind)
agtle
join:2013-03-09

agtle

Member

said by BonezX:

or they told the owners, and that's why there was swapping of contractors.

people do it all the time with stuff that they shouldn't, cars, houses(holmes on homes comes to mind)

Exactly - the witness scheduled for April 4th should be very interesting in that regard.

Another witness, not scheduled to testify, was interviewed extensively by the OPP, was employed by the owners in 2009 and predicted exactly where the failure was going to occur. He was fired for reporting it to the City and Fire Department.

BonezX
Basement Dweller
Premium Member
join:2004-04-13
Canada

BonezX

Premium Member

sounds like the city is going to burn a bit for that as well, at least whoever handled the report.
chabu
join:2002-01-16

chabu to agtle

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to agtle
Where are the transcripts and exhibits are all posted online???
agtle
join:2013-03-09

agtle

Member

said by chabu:

Where are the transcripts and exhibits are all posted online???

»elliotlakeinquiry.ca/