Concrete Damage Can Hide

[@gb3376]

Best channel covering this tragedy. No doubt.

[@stephw.6539]

I agree! He explains things thoroughly in a way I understand.

[@unorthodoxridez]

I second this motion

[@GardenGuy1942]

Yeah, I wish he can do my eulogy when I finally go..

[@BuildingIntegrity]

Wow! Thank you so much! We are looking forward to bringing you more on this subject. There are all sorts of engineering concepts we can learn from this to help keep others safe in the future.

[@GardenGuy1942]

@@BuildingIntegrity god bless you, and god bless America!

[@kfourom]

This guy is an excellent teacher.

[@dicksisco1251]

This guy gets paid to lie to you Look into Paraguays connection

[@julioonclato4474]

More like a plagiarism master

[@williamsstephens]

Do try not to be so silly.

[@johnharrison1895]

I have retired from the construction business for several years and would like to tell you the language and explanations of construction details for the average individual are wonderful. Keep up the good work. 🇺🇸😎👍

[@JacobBax]

I was going the comment the same, I'm dutch and my english is decent, but I completly understand this explanations.

[@michaelimbesi2314]

This channel has by far the best analysis of this collapse. He’s competent, professional, and calm, and he uses a lot of logic to figure out how things would have to happen to end up the way they are. I wouldn’t be surprised if he calls what NIST’s report will say a year before it comes out.

[@chemech]

He's working this exactly as a knowledgeable Professional Engineer should, and I would expect no less from any of my colleagues, whatever their discipline. Where he shines is in his communication skills, with direct descriptions, and good visual aids to introduce the fundamental concepts to people who have not been around these kinds of topics before. Too many technical professionals cannot communicate effectively , unlike Joshua. Having watched a couple of his videos now, I can say that he has the skills to be a good instructor, and at need, a good expert witness when discussing structural concrete topics.

[@Baumeister40]

And he looks just like my favorite brother-in-law.

[@kajgenell]

You express yourself so clearly, that even a Swede, that never have travelled anywhere can understand you. Thank u!

[@marymorris6897]

Yes, he's an excellent teacher.

[@lasylphide-s5j]

Hej från en till Swede. Our building codes are very different than the ones in most of the US I lived there and ours are so much more regulated, luckily. And we don’t have buildings in reclaimed wetlands like in Florida. No hurricanes/earthquakes/ tornadoes here.

[@nilsutt]

sverige +1

[@dotheroar2524]

i have family in southern sweden! what part are you from?

[@ct6502-c7w]

@@lasylphide-s5j We have very strict building codes in the US too, but unfortunately in some cities, it's not enforced as well as it should be.

[@ellenhawkins128]

My MechE husband consulted for a forensics engineering company. After seeing all the problems with condos, he said we are never living in one. I’d live in a tent in the woods before I’d live someplace where I can see damage occurring in the building I’m living in, but I wouldn’t be able to get it repaired. Thanks for the videos! The major news channels should be interviewing you.

[@katiekane5247]

If mainstream news really cared to inform instead of inflame & obfuscate, they would.

[@chemech]

@@katiekane5247 Just remember that they need the sensationalism to sell advertising...

[@davidhenningson4782]

I lived in a couple high rise buildings when I was in my 20s and 30s... I'd never move to one after watching the disaster and this great series on how things could go so wrong.

[@Brooke52528]

Really enjoying this series. I cannot believe how much I'm learning. Considering how ignorant I actually was regarding the integrity of buildings, I now actually feel I know more than most of my friends! In fact, I've started wondering about the new high-rise my son has moved into, I started asking him questions yesterday as I've not seen it yet and he thought I was going nuts! Anyway, thanks for these videos, I hope you will have time to continue this series right up until the conclusion, or at least until and including the official report/findings.

[@catherineallen3067]

I agree with Gin💕….I’ve learned so much too and wish everything could be explained so clearly. Thank you for helping us all understand this tragedy and with this knowledge, we will never again look at a high rise building or bridge without remembering this horrible needless tragedy and how easily life can go wrong.

[@Brooke52528]

@@catherineallen3067 Very well said 👏

[@thegracklepeck]

Asking questions is never a bad thing! We used to live in a highrise (albeit not by the coast) and there was certainly some spalling happening. I didn't pay it any mind at the time because you know, it's an ancient apartment building, not really our responsibility, right? I've since decided it's better to understand the potential dangers of a poorly maintained building. Really relieved that we no longer live there.

[@joedonzi9552]

Gin , people , including real estate people , architects and engineers place a false monetary value on a physical building as if the useful (safe) life of the physical building were able to extend to infinity. As buildings age , they wear out and need to be condemned , and the Certificate of occupancy revoked. This is especially true of buildings located on or near more problematic known flood zones , ie waterfront. Most owners are loathe to even consider a special assessment for maintenance. They view the "liquid value" of their apartment as their own personal bank account or retirement fund. How older real estate is valued must change as a result of the unfortunate reality of Champlain Towers. Here on Miami Beach , many high rise restoration projects are little more than a bunch of guys slapping ready patch on a 50 year old poorly constructed building located in a known flood zone , these buildings will not continue to age well.

[@lockedin60]

If the government agency that handles these reports are anything like the NTSB it will be at least two years before we see any final reports.

[@grantmurphy7965]

I'm responsible for maintenance for a multi building property. Your videos have helped tremendously.

[@damako7072]

I feel like we need to take a quiz at the end of each lesson. This is super informative and I'm seriously learning a lot. Great job!

[@matthewgregory8218]

I kind of infringe this all from the shamplane towers collapse

[@sheliatope5233]

Thanks Josh for all your videos. I can now understand how the engineers spot damaged structures. This tragedy has so many parts to be investigated. I pray those who have this job will take it seriously. Your great. Please continue to bring us info we can understand. Really scary. Blessings

[@kturby5489]

Soooo basically, if you’re actually SEEING quite a bit of spalling…. Then you should know that things are reallllly bad. So based on some of the pictures we’ve seen now of the ceiling in the parking deck at Champlain, they should’ve known that they were in deep doodoo.

[@jochenliebig1562]

Engineers involved should have known. Still, they didn't believe "really bad" meant collapse.

[@chemech]

@@jochenliebig1562 Well, it was bad 3 years ago, but not in the state where imminent collapse was in the cards... then. Fast forward through three years in a wet climate with salt-mist conditions, and things had deteriorated severely.

[@jochenliebig1562]

@@chemech Hindsight. Most buildings don't collapse, and chances are even Morabito has never seen a building that they inspected collapse.

[@ct6502-c7w]

@@chemech True, but I'm just wondering why the building was even allowed to get as bad as it was in 2018. That didn't happen over night. It's from YEARS of shoddy and neglected maintenance.

[@beehaven9949]

I think a building can be built so poorly that there is no amount of maintenance that will save it. This one should have just been condemned. Had the repairs started in 2018, it still may have collapsed in the end. I think they were aware of the collapse potential of at least the pool deck since they removed the large planters by the south wall and the palm trees in the large planters on the north side of the pool deck in 2018 (probably thanks to Morabito - nice to see board minutes in 2018). Perhaps removing some weight was enough to avoid a collapse or they knew they were just buying a little time before it collapsed. If the pool deck collapsed, they probably thought they could just repair it then.

[@Theorbit10]

I watch channels like yours to learn. I worked building maintenance in the past and the hardest part was convincing the owners to do preventative maintenance. Our apartments all had their own HVAC units that were about 25 years old. After looking at some of them and the condition of their heat exchangers I worked up a plan for replacing them. I gave it to the owners and told them that these needed to be looked at and replaced. They said it would be too expensive to do that. All I had to do was ask them what is more expensive, replacing them or paying for the lawsuits from people dying from carbon monoxide poisoning.

[@debstrzelecki2485]

That's why I'd rather own my own home. I sold my house of 25 years a couple of years ago. I had owned my own homes from 1980 to 2018. I'm in a transition from moving south to north in my state. My clueless PhD older sister "found" a "nice" apartment for me. She has never lived in anything but apartment complexes. The shoddy construction and cheap building materials used in my complex (built in 1975) and the lack of proper maintenance is disgusting. Cheapest crap I've ever seen. I'm so looking forward to owning my own home again!

[@jackieluongo9339]

If you can see damage, it's "the tip of the iceberg."

[@moniquedewyk6341]

And it's not just in engineering. Two bed bugs and two roaches can mean a huge infestation hiding until it gets dark! lol

[@dennisnifong9086]

This should be required viewing for all HOA board members. It cost me over a hundred dollars to take a similar class about maintance when I was on an HOA board. This is free and much better information.

[@dalewalker4614]

And luckily your board at least had enough vision to educate themselves. Most don't know squat about the structure, the HVAC/Water/Electrical, the plumbing or anything about maintenance, but pull the budget strings based on their emotions.

[@dennisnifong9086]

@@dalewalker4614 only I took the classes. I found myself always in a fight with the members who knew the price of everything but the value of nothing.

[@juzenuts]

Appreciate the time and effort putting these videos together, esp while on vacation. Am a layperson and have learnt quite a bit from your latest series of videos stemming from this tragedy.

[@vinnieravioli4653]

I work in hotel maintenance and this series has been extremely educational and really well put together. You have been extremely informative and thorough! Subscribed.

[@carly8056]

This couldn’t come at a better time. Our apt building was currently just surveyed in both levels of the parking garage for extensive concrete damage. The building is 40 years old, also with years of poor upkeep. This is in an affluent area of the city, and I mention it because neglect isn’t restricted to “poor” areas or buildings- bad management can happen ANYWHERE. Giant sections of the floors have “puffed up” and show cracks, the effect is noticeable even walking- it is like walking on giant versions of sandbars with such uneven floors in places. When stamping on these areas, they actually feel and SOUND hollow underfoot! While spalling is not apparent, and the posts look fine, it is clear something is going on that cannot possibly be good. White crust decorates the floor in areas, In humid weather the entire garage “weeps” water for days; I’ve never seen anything like it. The construction industry in Montreal, Canada is notorious for being corrupt (we’ve had public infrastructure collapse and kill motorists due to neglect and poor quality construction on city bridges). Residential building firms are often run by branches or sister companies of same. Other parts of the building system have been neglected and have failed for years- water tanks and piping systems, it does not surprise me about the condition of the underground parking garages in our building. It is now a worry with merit. Thank you for publishing these videos- this is important work for educating the interested public, and more eyes intelligently questioning our environments will serve to hold building owners accountable.

[@-Skookie]

What you say scares me. Move quickly.

[@billj5645]

The top surface of a slab can delaminate for more reasons than just corrosion of reinforcing. Someone who knows what they are doing can drag a heavy steel chain across the floor and determine where the delaminations are.

[@Jp421JP]

GTFO now

[@RadChick]

Tapping a cane or walking stick you can hear hollow areas under driveways and sidewalks.

[@carly8056]

You know what? With your encouragement, I have taken photos of the garage, and I *am* going to take video, now, too. The entire parking ramp is being held up by jacks. There is a lengthwise crack in it deep enough to put fingers inside. Concrete spalling on the secondary side of the floor shows huge (bigger than 1 foot x 1 foot) chunks of missing concrete right down to visibly rusted rebar going in both directions. Debris is on the floor next to columns in piles. I have never gone into the P2 floor because I do not park there. What I saw this afternoon was shocking. Evidence of extended water infiltration literally everywhere, with car sized puddles of standing water on the ground in multiple areas.

[@christhomas6338]

More regular educational content would be great! Love the B.I. videos as I am an adult Engineering student transitioning from life as a residential general contractor so I always enjoy and appreciate the knowledge!

[@fp5495]

The Dolphin Tower in Sarasota went through this back in 2010. It was built in 1974 and the damage was so bad, the residents had to move out until the building was re-stabilized. It's took over three years to finally finish, but it's now safe again.

[@weareomegapro889]

Why not demolish?

[@fp5495]

​@@weareomegapro889 If it were older, they may have, but due to its age, it was able to be saved. It's just maintenance on a building that was built before the technology that's available today wasn't back then when it was built, but now can benefit from it. Technology saved this building, If it weren't for its location, the residents may have accepted a buyout, but it's in the heart of Sarasota and if a new building took its place, these price of living in that spot would have tripled.

[@amaryllith]

Wow! I found the article about it, it almost reads like a foreshadowing of what happened in Surfside. Terrifying.

[@lakeliving645]

Question. Knowing that you cannot see when water has penetrated through a planter box why would anyone ever design one into a building when there is no visual maintenance that you could see? I find this channel extremely enlightening and I enjoy it please continue.

[@katiekane5247]

Another case of aesthetics trumping safety!

[@christophercripps7639]

It's the same mindset that shoehorned a SB Chevy V8 into a model originally designed fot an inline 4. To change two of 8 spark plugs the entire engine had to be pulled. Customer wants more power nevermind maintenance. Today the mindset would put a turbocharger on the four-cyl only to put the turbo only to find out it boils nothing teally important (sarcasm) like the brake fluid or battery.

[@chemech]

The architects and artistic designers put in features to please the eye. While the original construction should by building code be required to use water-proofing, these features do need to be excavated and restored periodically as part of the building's maintenance plan. Such refurbishment is expensive and unsightly, and not everyone appreciates the necessity, which brings us to cases where severely deferred maintenance leads to a failure.

[@robertbyrne7241]

The same reason you are happy to live in a building were you cannot inspect the vulnerable surfaces in the footings (basement walls??) of the building you live in. Deterioration occurs in every building that has ever, or ever will be, constructed. They just need to be maintained, or if the maintenance becomes overwhelming, then they get demolished. No building will last forever, even The Great Pyramid of Giza will one day erode to nothing without maintenance.

[@reggierendert6494]

@@christophercripps7639 Turbos do an important job tho; they can give that 4 cylinder enough hp to get out into traffic that it normally couldn't do. It can add power to a fuel efficient engine. They also help with emissions. Most of all, they sound really cool, especially on the bigger diesels👍😆

[@jenniferriley5390]

Very impressive! I've learned more about this thru your videos than all others combined! Keep them coming please! Great job explaining this stuff to us in layman's terms! Thx Aa

[@disklamer]

I knew this, but now I can explain it in a way that will register with clients. “Think of an iceberg, with spalling as the tip, and your building as a the “unsinkable” ship.” It even rhymes.

[@johyuujin3079]

I replaced a concrete beam walkway over a primary effluent channel at a wastewater treatment plant. the channel ran the length of the primary tanks, about 500 feet. The 1931 design was a reinforced beams crossing the channel about every 5 feet, with a large opening between them filled with a about 1 1/2" metal grating that you walked on. It had been there for over 50 years. I can't recall, but think the beams were about 14-15" square and tied into the reinforced concrete walls. Obviously, the area was exposed to wastewater 24/7 for 50 years plus winter and summer weather. I was watching the contractor doing the removal near the beginning of the project and was stunned when a worker heaved his pickaxe into one of the beams like it was butter and it must have gone into it 6 inches. Holy crap everyone had been walking this channel for years including me.

[@SeanBZA]

Shows you the margin that original engineer put in originally, taking the design lifetime, the guess he had for the corrosion it would have, and then applied the worst case concrete and reinforcing placement and strength, and using that for his 6 times load calculation. Turned out massively better, probably because he used a much better steel, and much better concrete and pouring when it was built. My father designed a pump station for sewage in around 1971, and his specification was to tile the entire place, inside, outside, floors, walls and ceilings. They thought it was expensive till he placed before then the expected 30 year lifetime, and the cost in 1971 prices with no inflation for the 6 complete repaints of the inside and outside. Tiles went in, and even 50 years later on that still is there, admittedly with zero maintenance for the last 25 years. Tiles on the roof proved good 3 months after commissioning when an operator error blew a outlet pipe and filled the pump room with sewage, they just had to wash from the roof down, and nothing else, as the lights were also specified to be EEX types, and rated for marine use under 6m of water. Then replaced the burst pipes.

[@johyuujin3079]

@@SeanBZA steel was minimal at best, just two 1/2" bars across with 2 tie-in bars to the wall, as I recall. I think the beam length was 10 feet. not sure about the concrete. we had pictures that showed they had a concrete plant on site when they did the plant expansion in 1931. prior to that it was just a lift station and some Cl2 addition to the raw wastewater going into Lake Erie. and I have no idea if the CL2 did disinfect the otherwise raw wastewater which included industrial waste. think about that.

[@mattyh2180]

Classic sulphate attack of concrete cement paste from the exposure to acidic gases above the effluent fluids.

[@johyuujin3079]

@@mattyh2180 the rest of it and all of them required a jackhammer. it was only a few that were really bad.

[@peterbustin2683]

Excellent and compulsive viewing !! Ive learnt quite a bit ! Thankx from UK.

[@teresas8173]

You’re doing a great service on this channel. It’s all extremely interesting…. Rip all those who lost their lives in this tragedy in Surfside 🕊

[@mgnmxl]

Excellent content. Please consider creating a few episodes on how this damage would be repaired as well as how structural integrity would be maintained during and after the repair.

[@stephenrickstrew7237]

I did a lot of Seismic upgrades when I worked in California …. And these types of buildings are very vulnerable to earthquakes … and corrosion and probably Hurricane wind forces and soil liquefaction… and definitely need to be monitored…!

[@waresrobyn]

I am Not an Architect, Im a Gemologist! But This is COMPLETELY ENTHRALLING! It All makes sense and Reminds me of a building I worked & lived in, as a Leasing agent in my 20's. There were Similar Construction techniques used in that building Including an Indoor Pool UNDER Parking.....I always Thought about the Whole situation when swimming in that pool. It was Weird. There was Spalling...and Cracks around...and I witnissed some Repairs. My Father was a Contractor and Built houses and Condos, here in Colorado when I was growing up. I LEARNED a Lot about CONSTRUCTION! Thanks!

[@caseyg58]

I never thought I would be so interested in concrete and all that is involved in building. Proud of myself that I can now point out a spall if I see it.

[@dalewalker4614]

Wait until you learn the hammer and chain trick and can find even spalling you cannot see! It's aspalling.....

[@MegaSnow121]

Thank you for taking time to make these videos even while you are on vacation. The building collapse in Surfside was so difficulty understand, yet with your videos you have helped so many get a better insight into what can happen to a building not well maintained. I knew some of this before, but have learned so much more from you. I will continue watching. Please keep up the excellent work!

[@c.rincon7145]

WOW !!! Never thought about the primary being hidden. Always, Oh, it's just a little bit of rust or concrete falling off. Boy! was I wrong. You are so through in your explainations!!

[@muhchung]

Thank you very much for these educational videos. I have learned a lot.

[@Susan_Couture]

You should definitely teach college classes. Thanks for sharing

[@rv6amark]

Great video. I really like the fact that you are providing the knowledge to help non-engineers to understand that they can flag problems for professionals to evaluate. If you keep only ONE additional building from falling, then you have done a great service to humanity.

[@dealsfromvirginia1773]

I'd like to see a vid on the proper repair of of what you have shown today.

[@somethingelsehere8089]

Yes please - very much this.

[@deedewald1707]

The building may have been properly repaired, or condemned in 2018 if inspected throughout !

[@RobertSmith-pt7gl]

As a Rigger who works in Building Maintenance I have Worked on many high rise buildings repairing concrete cancer ( Spalling ) . You mostly all way's find it on the exterior of the building balcony's and ledger's ectra areas that are exposed to weather. The reo bar should have at least 50 to 100 mm of concrete coverage but it's not always the case. The closer the reo is to the out side edge of of slabs and walls then it's susceptible. Waterproofing is not a high priority but it should be in exposed areas. Repairing the Spallings means exposing all around reo bar and chasing the rust until you find clean bar using a grinder with a diamond blade to cut through the concrete . In most case's it's only surface rust that can be removed using wire grinding weel and a needle gun . Once the bar is clean you apply a epoxie resin to the bar when the resin has dried and is tackey you sprinkle sand over the resin then let it dry it helps the concrete render stick to the affected reo bar . In some instances if rust has eaten into the bar then it needs to be cut out and replaced with new bar and tied to starter bars . Small aposing reo bar and tied with tie wire or welded together. Hope that explains it. But this building in this location with Saltwater flooding in the car park over many years witch would have cepted into load bearing columns and the foundations well it would have changed the ph level in the concrete weakening it and eaten the reo bar . Columns are the super structure that holds up the building. You could only see the tip of the iceberg.

[@abbotmontypittsosb6500]

As an owner of a concrete/steel 5/6 story condo on Florida's East Coast, I find this information to be of critical interest. Thank you SO MUCH for this informative- and vital- presentation. You are a great teacher, my friend.

[@JenniVander]

Thank you for doing this, especially while you are on vacation. I'm learning so much.

[@andrewcriscione]

My dude you are like saving civilization, thank you for your service.

[@dealsfromvirginia1773]

I lived in a high rise 32 years ago for a short period and remember leaks in the basement parking garage. It was very frustrating because some white substance would drip on my car. I moved in frustration of the drips and the noise coming from the busy street below my apartment. That building is still standing and now I wonder if it was ever repaired.

[@SeanBZA]

Probably had some form of repair done. But street noise is hard to combat.

[@thomaswilks9256]

I am a retired power system engineer. This that's explained some of the things that I have seen in substations over the years. Keep the updates coming.

[@norsegirl7]

Your videos are so interesting. You explain everything so well and you have a wonderful purpose. I'm a South Floridian and that collapse is shocking, and it makes me want to be more informed. Thanks!

[@FiremanJohn54]

Fantastic. I am a PE doing HVAC work. I have learned a lot in the past couple of weeks from this channel. You have taken the complex and made it understandable. Thank you.

[@corvette62_27]

I'm a lay person. I`ve learned so much from watching this series. Thank you.

[@aelialoves2judge90dayfianc8]

These videos are outstanding. Thank you!

[@carolsmith5151]

Thank you for your enlightening video about how concrete damage can hide. The front porch of my little house is showing signs of concrete deterioration. Until now I dismissed it as "oh well, it can wait." After watching your videos, I'm now aware that this problem must be attended to ASAP. I'm grateful for your guidance.

[@txgho634]

When is it to late? At what degree does the engineering team call it lost. How many BEACH properties are now beyond repair and should now be evacuated/ abandoned.

[@billj5645]

Well with enough money you can repair almost anything and keep it in service, so the final verdict becomes more monetary than engineering. Only if it become unsafe to work in would you definitely agree to abandon it. For instance would you go into the remaining part of that building to inspect it? Would you allow residents to go back in to retrieve property? Would you go into it to do repairs? If we knew the exact trigger of the collapse would could better make that determination but right now we don't know so we have to be more suspicious of the remaining portion of the building. And the remaining part of the building has a fraction of the lateral strength of the original building so a good wind storm might make it very dangerous. I've been in buildings after a major fire in order to determine if they were a danger to surrounding buildings. I went in carefully and was prepared to run out if I saw anything I didn't like. I don't think I would go into the remaining building. I don't know how to evaluate the danger to the people working on the recovery effort but it's not zero.

[@freegedankenzurbaukunst5613]

@@billj5645 Without the missing part , the remaining part is similar to a sail . Matter of days before it'll be pull down

[@jsshortreed9190]

@@billj5645 The part of Champlain Tower South that still stands actually has nearly ALL of the lateral strength of the original building. Shear-walls provided the only lateral-load resistance. In the N-S direction, those shear-walls were at the elevator shaft/tower and at the eastern stair-tower. In the E-W direction, the shear-walls are only at the elevator shaft/tower Once it separated from the elevator shaft/tower, the entire eastern portion of the building had NO lateral resistance in the E-W direction.

[@politicalfoolishness7491]

I'm thinking this property had a somewhat unique problem mentioned in earlier videos - the recurring salt water in the underground parking area that had been happening perhaps from the first few years to present. Other problems may have not been so unique such as the planters against critical pillars, the water seals failing, and painting the building with the wrong paint that doesn't seal as examples. It sounds like the paint problem may have been happening on multiple buildings, which may have compromised balconies and pillars somewhat, but I think other things are more of a major cause. As for repair, if a pillar needs to be replaced, you'd need to be able to put supports in to sure up the removal of the pillar, and if the floor beside the pillar is compromised at either the top or bottom, or even if it isn't compromised it is naturally too weak to withhold a shear, I'd say the building is beyond repair. The pillars by the planter may have needed garage and first floor pillar replacement which would further complicate things. So unless beach properties have these or other similar severe problems, this may be quite rare and most/all other buildings are repairable. So I'm predicting this disaster will mandate inspections by an expert (a walk through and report) frequently such as every 2-3 years. As an example, fire extinguishers in commercial buildings where I am located need an authorized inspector to come in and re-tag or service and re-tag them every year. Building re-certification perhaps could still be longer such as 20 or 30 years, but I think 40 years won't continue. Also, any repair on a building might also now require an engineers stamp. For instance, the idea of painting a building with non-sealing paint is such an easy thing to avoid if an engineer looked at the proposed paint. As to my overall comment here, an expert would know if any of my answer makes sense. I'm providing an answer but I'm not qualified in this area just to be clear.

[@SeanBZA]

@@freegedankenzurbaukunst5613 Rest of the structure looks like the lift shaft is doing a good job on holding in place. Might actually be pretty hard to demolish this, you would have to accept damage to the surrounding buildings, as you will have to blast pretty much every column and the lift wall in multiple places to get it down to the ground.

[@Og-Judy]

You have the best presentation on how concrete damage matters in layman's terms. Thank you.👍🏻

[@transmaster]

This is interesting I used to work in prestressed concrete manufacturing. We mostly made twin “T” panels. For roof, and walkway structures. The harping process was always interesting and nerve racking. I have personally seen the spalling process you are talking about. Looking at the pictures of the condition of the condo’s concrete gives me shivers.

[@aob505]

I feel smarter than I did before watching this. Thank you. 👍

[@StevenPenny]

I wonder what the cost of regular preventative maintenance would have costed them over the years. I know its really easy to think that way after the fact but this should highlight the importance of it being #1 on the line items for the yearly budget over aesthetic changes.

[@chemech]

If you watch some of his other videos, you will see that the condo board had other contractors in to make repairs over the years... but the workmanship was... questionable. Unfortunately, I think that the condo association had a false sense of security from having had those other contractors in over the years, and they definitely did not appreciate just how badly compromised their building truly was. I'm not a civil engineer, but even as a mechanical engineer I can look at some of the photographs from various inspections that are coming to light, and say with some confidence that the structural concrete was badly compromised as of the 2018 inspection.

[@chrisparker4940]

They were definitely kicking the can down the road and I’m sure Covid made matters worse getting owners together

[@Magicaldust11]

I hope you can continue providing us with these videos and information throughout the ongoing forensic analysis of this tragedy Thank you

[@gregoryvschmidt]

Imagine that’s a shower or bathroom with a leaking toilet, the tile floor looks fine but the folks below are in for a rude surprise

[@terribishop5313]

"Thank you" for taking your time on your vacation to educate the people. We need more like you!!

[@cetech4535]

Why is this starting to feel like a “the foam did it” moment (Space Shuttle Columbia disaster reference). That would be wild if the Surfside disaster was caused by....a planter box

[@willschultz5452]

In the beginning it very well could have been. It could have been unnoticed or ignored long before the Engineering report came out in 2018. Just like if you have a little stone chip in the paint on your car, if you keep ignoring it long enough you will eventually have a big hole in that metal where that little paint chip once was.

[@willschultz5452]

@@PartlySunny74 Not to mention the corrosiveness of the chlorine used in the swimming pool

[@Mary-bd9vu]

Plus they said the slab for the swimming pool run off or something was level when it should have been at an angle so water sat there, residents reported water in the parking garage I think both things caused it plus a lack of anyone doing anything about it for so many years. It’s so tragic that it happened in the middle of the night vs the day when less people would have been home.

[@caseyg58]

He didn't say it was caused by it. But I can see how it may have contributed to it. I've also heard this mentioned in other media outlets as well.

[@annaksfrog]

Disasters almost ALWAYS result from a combination of factors. He does not say this was the cause, but possibly a contributor.

[@lulu2u294]

So interesting. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@BenEBrady]

Fantastic information. I'm learning a ton! I hope you and your family are enjoying your vacation!

[@joelnoland9931]

Great informative videos I commented about those planters boxes a week ago I have seen so many of them become nothing more then a port for water to settled and seep into the buildings and foundations and 3 columns were right next to these planters boxes !

[@hgbugalou]

You are easily doing the best engineering coverage on this on youtube, I expect your sub count to jump dramatically from those of us who want to know the engineering and want to get in to the muck technically over this disaster.

[@dianeambrose683]

Explaining in layman's terms is appreciated. Thank you again for this information!

[@DylanYoungDev]

This is great, and explains perfectly how engineers could miss things, especially if they are under qualified or just lazy (or too busy to do a good job). Unfortunately engineers are humans. I am in the IT industry and I see signs of this all the time. Makes it hard to trust others. And as someone who lived on the beach in Florida (near Lantana) in an 8 story building built in the 70's, I definitely wonder now about that building. It had planters all over it's deck, filled with dirt. It almost guarantees that there was damage happening under those, that no one could see (especially since there was never signs that they were emptied to take a look). I think condo owner associations should be doing their own visual inspections and maybe if they have planter boxes, that they are emptied and changed every 2 or 3 years.

[@MajorCaliber]

FYI, there *is* a proper way to design and form cast-in-place (CIP) planter boxes, and it involves drainage *slopes* and *weep holes* ... aka simple physics and common sense, i.e. the enemies of poofty/trendy architects, lol...

[@beehaven9949]

@@MajorCaliber I hear you, but you know in 5 minutes there is a work order put in to seal the bottom of the planter so the plant can survive without having to water it every day.

[@mabreupr]

Thanks for teaching us how concrete bars can be damaged and cause structural failures. Looking forward for the next!👍

[@carolro6673]

This is such a good channel, info very clear and easy to understand. Question: knowing this, why even have planter boxes or pools/spas over structural concrete/rebar? Seems as if you are flirting with disaster.

[@SeanBZA]

Because it looks good, and people demand a pool in a hot climate. You can have planter boxes and pools, just have to have a good membrane and waterproofing between them ad the concrete, and for the planters preferably have the planter a separate structure that you can remove for inspection. You will probably want those where you can reach with a mobile crane though, so put on the outside, where they also form a noise barrier. Pool you just have to make it well sealed, and also ensure all pipes are inspectable for leaks, and can be replaced without needing to do massive amounts of deck removal.

[@carolro6673]

@@SeanBZA how many properties currently meet the criteria you specify here with proper maintenance current. Damn few. How many people buying into such properties know of the risks if the proper maintenance isn’t current. None, until now. Who wants to die for a swimming pool on roof? Seems as if poor decisions were being made by developers for aesthetics without adequate oversight. Going forward the safeguards you describe will most likely be in place, but how many properties currently carry similar risk as this prop.

[@chemech]

@@SeanBZA That, and proper sloping of the "flat" surfaces to ensure drainage. Miami in the late 70s - early 80s was going through a major boom cycle, and I've heard tell that much of the construction from that era was of marginal quality.

[@chrisparker4940]

I agree. You are just asking for trouble with planter boxes above a concrete slab parking garage and up against a concrete column. Instead use self-contained planters and use the concrete slab surface as your pool deck with slope and proper drainage. Why put sand and pavers over a concrete slab, it’s just a water trap.

[@tissuepaper9962]

@@chemech "major boom cycle" is a very diplomatic way of describing the reign of the Cocaine Cowboys

[@LaHermitess]

I am really impressed with your channel and your presentation of information. As a layperson I appreciate a degree of simplicity but you generally manage to avoid dumbing things down so much as to be unwatchable. Well done, and thank you as I now know more than I did, which should be everyone's goal for every day.

[@LordSoySauce]

I have learned so much from your channel over the last week. Thank you!

[@WildflowerAnn]

I was married to a General Contractor (of single family homes), so I already had a a pretty solid understanding of rebar, footings, foundations and the different chemicals mixes of concrete for temperature/season and what you were using it for. You have taken my knowledge to a whole new level. I think your channel is amazing. I have and plan to share more of your videos.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*LITERALLY JUST LOOKED* out my window on the 9th floor of my 16 story building as he is saying "we want to educate the public"... there is a 5-foot long giant spall about to fall off the structural column of the building, a bit already has and the rebar is showing and severely rusted.

[@ct6502-c7w]

Yikes. That's spooky! You need to report that ASAP. Contact the city if the building management won't do anything about it. Better yet, move out if you can at all!

[@dcarey3942]

Thank you Josh. I've been glued to your channel since the collapse. You are a talented teacher and appreciate you teaching in lay terms yet not insulting our intelligence. I wish you much success in your career and plan to watch your earlier videos. You are worth your weight in gold.

[@MemineAussi]

If you want to improve building engineering, they can start with the stairwells. Both stairwells in that building led further into the building, had no easy access into the 1st floor lobby, and I believe a number of bodies will be found in the stairwell closest to the ramp. Design buildings so that stairwells lead out to the street so that evac is easy. If there is a need to have the stairwell lead somewhere else, then that also can be done, but ensure the street access is there.

[@waitaminute2015]

Good point.

[@beehaven9949]

It sounds like there was about 7 minutes warning that could have been used to evacuate the building. Perhaps if a building had a tornado warning system, this could be used to get people out fast. Or we may need a different warning like a structural failure alarm so people know not to linger in the building unnecessarily. I know we like to think certain things simply don't happen in certain countries but we have to wake-up and smell the coffee.

[@MemineAussi]

@@beehaven9949 They had fire alarms, but no one pulled it. :(

[@dalewalker4614]

@@MemineAussi Good point, and it seems like many must have heard the loud noises prior to the collapse and felt safer staying inside their units. Some called family or friends and were talking on the phone when the building collapsed as a result. High-rise buildings should have eminent collapse drills similar to fire drills. We are mostly ignorant of what to watch for, to listen for and when to get the h3|| OUT of the building when an emergency is suspected!

[@astralchemistry8732]

I know the chemistry side - but not the engineering side! You explain everything excellently with a healthy balance of simplification but still providing details.

[@octaviocastellanos6489]

I saw a picture of the collapsed deck and at the edge of the pool it showed this condition of rusted rebar bad across the length of the pool and i think it is the area the pool contractor had pictured days before in the lower pool pump room .

[@j81851]

The heart of a teacher with integrity and honesty!

[@presspound7358]

From this master class …I have concluded at least two things: 1. There are reinforced concrete structures all over America that a very, very old and safe… multi storey Manhattan concrete buildings that you’d have a hard time to destroy. The problem arises when you start “decorating” the property where it meets the elements head on. 2. When you buy a condo in a multi storey building ….especially a coastal property… you had better pay close attention to the i) design of the outside spaces ii) reputation of the builder/seller because there are things that you didn’t witness such as the ingenuity of the concept and the quality of the material$. When you order a meal in a restaurant…you don’t know what the kitchen and the cook look like nor what they did with/to your food before it got to your table.

[@chemech]

Caveat Emptor... you need to do your Due Diligence whenever you are considering making a major purchase. One other factor that many people do not think about is to check up on scandals involving the local government. Police, Fire, and Building & Safety departments can all have issues with corruption, and such issues can have serious consequences. South Florida in particular has had problems with corruption, especially with regards to Building & Safety.

[@chrisparker4940]

Lenders should require a structural engineer inspection upon purchase when it comes to multi story condos especially coastal.

[@geriann4755]

Thank you for what you do. I'm amazed at this information that could save lives...

[@THX..1138]

It seems this kinda damage is enviable when the concrete is permeable. For structures near salt water you'd think there would be some requirement to use the type of concrete for marine environments like docks and fishing piers. Perhaps using composite rebar would also be wise.

[@jochenliebig1562]

Maybe Roman Concrete ...

[@katiekane5247]

*inevitable* but yes. Coated rebar was used back then but it was expensive & mostly reserved for water contact structures. Anyone whose been to a coast knows, the air is part ocean!

[@THX..1138]

@@katiekane5247 Yeah I understand the past is the past and coated rebar kinda has a checkered history aside from price...No I'm talking about new construction and restorations of buildings near salt water. They have composite rebar now that has no metal in it all. I'm sure it's probably more expensive, but Champlain towers was about to spend 16 million on repairs so cost of using it on new construction and repairs has got to be cheaper than the price of future repairs not even considering the lives it may save. ...And Yeah I used to live beach side on the space coast you're basically breathing salt. It coats everything, corrodes everything. Which is why when people tell me salt causes heart disease I ask them if so why doesn't everyone who lives beach side die of heart disease?...You can smell it , taste it, it's everywhere.

[@bradh7472]

This is a great educational channel. I have learned so much and is so interesting. Thanks. My in-laws have condo on the TX Gulf coast and their building is 4 stories concrete. Now I can look at things to see if there might be an issues taking place.

[@FishFind3000]

Up here in the north our small spalling damage mostly comes from freezing since Chicago goes though freezes and thaws multiple times a winter. Plus using salt to melt it and then it gets colder, that or dilutes and refreezes.

[@pampierce]

Nice that you are aimed at the homeowner, putting structural engineering into English. Thanks.

[@Creeksideviews]

I am learning so much from your videos Thank you ... Water it will really do a lot of damage to buildings and it so sneaky ..... My family was made sick from hidden mold in our house ... ... Maybe sometime after this series you could do something like this video but with mold as the subject ... I am on a lot of fb groups for mold and they are always wanting information how to find it and get rid of it ... Good Job on your channel :-)

[@nancymanly2904]

My dentist explained to me that by the time you can see a spot of decay on your tooth everything inside your tooth has rotted. Same thing here-by the time you can see a problem the damage has been done. Thank you for the excellent information.

[@jeffreymeyers6676]

It's not building Integrity...It's people integrity!

[@weareomegapro889]

Building integrity in people.

[@galechicago325]

You always make these studies so interesting. Thank you for explaining so concisely. I lived in high-rise buildings for 20 years and never knew what I was looking at. Just knew not to park in certain spots because my car would be grody from whatever was coming from the ceiling.

[@j.campuzano8581]

Thank you!!! In the case of Miami, What type of cement should have been used in the concrete? Should additives have been used? Your videos are really educational. Thanks! (From México)

[@MrHellenas23]

I just found out about you a few days ago, and I have to tell you, you are the best construction video in the entire internet. Keep up the amazing work you do. Not only you know, but you have an incredible way of teaching and educating. LOVE IT!!!

[@joankelly3301]

Important, informative and necessary education in layman’s terms so we can all become wiser consumers of this and all types of properties. Thanks for taking time out of your family vacation to provide this series. Safety, truly is up to consumer pro activism and involvement in their property, Contractors, management etc have no skin in the game, while residents entrust their lives in good faith with no knowledge of the buildings backstory or current status. Those records should be disclosed to every resident every time an inspector, contractor, govt official or the like investigates a building. Give them fair warning ⚠️ Shame on those who let it slide. Prayers of peace for those lost and their families 🙏 Continuing to pray for the miracle of survivors 🙏 Blessings of strength to rescue crews.

[@katrinajones8788]

Another great video. I'm an HOA board member and this information is very helpful! The next time we have our building inspected I'll know what to look for and what questions to ask. Thank you!

[@Jp421JP]

You should look all over your building now.

[@katrinajones8788]

@@Jp421JP Yes, I did earlier this week. We have an HOA meeting next week and I added building safety to the agenda because I know the homeowners will have tons of questions.

[@Airik1111bibles]

Dude your channel is exploding .. I've learned a ton , you have me looking at building foundations in my daily trecks. I'm like .... "Oh yeah they need to get that inspected ... there is a huge cavity hiding under that rot" 🤣😂🤣

[@Bobby_Di]

The graphics were perfect to easily understand. Many questions I had were answered. Thank you BI

[@rbspider]

When I parked under a tower in the city that was five levels below street level the crew was constantly cleaning the surface. I wasn't thinking they were doing it to prevent spalling, but maybe it was more for that than aesthetics . In the winter vehicles would be parking there that had just driven on salt covered roads and all that slush would end up on the surface of the garage. The place showed no sign of damage and was built in the 80's....

[@lisamarieashby2523]

Some people knew how to keep that environment properly maintained! Seems the "exception" nowadays.

[@Zaitor]

As a materials engineer who has only studied concrete degradation on a very superficial level for just one course, this is so fascinating and informative! I really am regretting not having chosen this field. This is awesome educational work!

[@cayrick]

Another poster, an engineer, posited that the collapse began in the pool area. In my opinion this does not compute. The pool area carries little to no building load so it would seem unlikely that a localized failure in this area would bring down the entire structure.

[@billj5645]

This is a less likely scenario than others, but still plausible. If a section of slab at the perimeter of the building failed, a sufficiently large section to fall and leave a column standing by itself, then now the column is twice as long as it was designed to be and it can be susceptible to buckling. These are relatively small columns and with the original design being 8' to 12' in height that is one thing but double that and it becomes harder for the columns to carry their required load.

[@jeanetteshawredden5643]

Carrick pan .... they are saying it started with the "pool deck" area that surrounded the pool - not the pool itself. But the huge decorative area around the pool where about 50 or 100 lounge chairs were. It appears to extend to the parking garage entrance where there are very large planter boxes that were not built correctly either and sat next to cement columns. An engineering report in 2018 I believe, said the area had been built incorrectly and did not drain water correctly. The flooding in the parking garage under "the pool deck" had been a known and observed issue for MANY years.

[@TobaccoRowe1960]

The deck around the pool did not fall But if the pool leaks, ummmmm Highly chlorinated water goes everywhere. I told my dad for years his pool was leaking. He would say it is evaporation. No it was underground pipes, specifically rolled piping. By this time we was using baqucil because chlorine did so much damage around the house. I was right and Dad killed half the grass in the front yard from the sump pump water. I might mention our pool was indoors.

[@macraemorse]

Good video explaining how it works. Many years ago I worked for a major geotechnical engineering and materials testing company and learned way more than I ever thought I would need to know about concrete. Rebar corrosion is a huge problem for concrete itself as it has so little tensile strength.

[@Furnominal]

Your videos motivated me to contact my city government about our city’s parking garage. We have spalling in the ceiling about 2x3ft and you can literally see where the crisscross of rebar has rusted away. You just assume officials are looking at it and are aware. You trust that they have given the go-ahead to keep parking there because they know it’s safe. I don’t think it is, though. But I’m just a layperson so no one will listen to me.

[@freegedankenzurbaukunst5613]

@Lisa V Social Medias can do miracles

[@sislertx]

There is a really.good chance they will have a contract real soon in order to.get some kickbacks...they are always up for that

[@sislertx]

@@freegedankenzurbaukunst5613 not anymore...the censorship is WORSE THAN IN CHINA..OR.IRAN

[@waitaminute2015]

@@sislertx it's not that difficult to follow terms of service. Millions of people do it successfully every day. Further more it's not censorship if it's a business. It's censorship if it's the government preventing speech.

[@freegedankenzurbaukunst5613]

@@waitaminute2015 It's censorship . Freedom of Speech / Freedom of Information for All . It's censorship since they have practically the quasi monopole of alternative information

[@annabel5976]

You know you’re doing a good job explaining structural engineering when even I can understand! 🙌😉

[@dealsfromvirginia1773]

After seeing this explanation I'm surprised more buildings don't collapse.

[@jochenliebig1562]

Exactly. Which is why I think ... even though conditions were bad at that condo, something else must have contributed to the collapse.

[@jochenliebig1562]

@@PartlySunny74 Yes, he sticks close to the facts and avoids speculation. We'll learn more, and he might help us understand new information. However, I do wonder about how to attribute causes. Ultimately, you can always argue that a stronger construction would still be standing, regardless of poor maintenance. Likewise, a poorly constructed condo building could still stand, if there is careful maintenance.

[@chemech]

@@PartlySunny74 Almost every catastrophic failure is actually a compound event where multiple problems stack up. When the root cause gets reported to the public, it might seem like that's the only cause, but that's almost never the case.

[@chemech]

The building codes are written with safety margins in the design requirements. When human life is at stake, those margins range from 5x to 7x the minimum strength required by basic physics. When structures are designed and built to code, there are allowances for less than perfect materials and workmanship... even then, the provisions of the codes are there to allow for a hopefully safe evacuation of a compromised structure, not as a guarantee of the continued survival of the structure in serviceable condition.

[@MeriLizzie]

@@jochenliebig1562 one of the residents was on the news saying they were jackhammering o the roof for at least a week & it was shaking the building. From another channel that was long at the blueprints, there was an “illegal” penthouse on top, possibly. Not on the original plans? That would add more weight than the buildings columns were built to hold.

[@CM-ny7qs]

Thank you. I get tired of explaining how tiles are not water proof but trap water underneath. And how you need graded drainage preventing ponding, scuppers etc. But there are always contractors willing to do cosmetic repair for a lot cheaper than spalling repair and it = condo budgets that don’t build in life cycle maintenance (“don’t fix it until it’s broken” attitude as opposed to recommended predictive care on expected spall cycles) and makes the building look pretty for a time. I can’t think how many times I get the blank look and cannot penetrate the veil. Life cycle maintenance is an important concept for the sake of everyone in a building. Good job and carry on!

[@kevinmcgrath3591]

Given that this sort of advanced rebar corrosion in an entire building is like a live cancer, you are chasing a moving train. You can get the best repair contractors on the planet and monitor them forensically to guarantee the repairs are 100% while other chunks of spalling concrete fall of around you. If the concrete mix and the thickness of cover on the rebar isn't right then it will never be good enough, repairs are a waste of time and money. However the residents who probably paid top dollar for the location will not want to hear the news from the management that their condos are suddenly worth $ zero. These old condos aren't 'sexy' properties and no one wants to pour millions into them just to make them stand up. I can imagine the meeting where each (retired?) owner is asked for $100,000 to just shore up a crumbling old building (that's only a measly $10m) , war would break out and the blame game would start. No point in suing the 1980's developer , it becomes a bottomless pit of trouble with no crock of gold. I really feel sorry for all those who died, their families and for all those now scared and worried in similar properties all over the country. The Gov. need to step in and help as this is beyond resolution by the general public. peace

[@billj5645]

This building was 40 years old which is beyond the age where maintenance could be a problem. Concrete technology was good 40 years ago but is better today, we know to control water/cement ratios for projects with severe exposure and we have better admixtures to help with this. It will be a constant battle during and after construction. During construction you have to have a proper concrete mixture, but the contractor will be wanting to add water during construction to make the concrete easier to work so you have to watch for that and prevent it. And you have to be sure that they are placing the reinforcing steel properly to give the amount of cover that is required to protect the reinforcing. Good concrete is a requirement for long life but it can't do the job by itself, it needs waterproofing under planters, under plaza pavers, under balcony pavers, etc., and the waterproofing will have to be replaced periodically. it will certainly not last 40 years. If you get to the point where water is going through the slab and spalling concrete on the underside, it is too late. Usually if there is a breakdown in the waterproofing it is like a roof with bad shingles- the water will go through the waterprofing and find a path through the underlaying structure so it drips on your car or your dining table so you know to repair the shingles or the waterproofing membrane. If you ignore that then the structure continues to deteriorate. Whether there were issues with the concrete quality of the original building, the placement of reinforcing steel, the details of pool deck slopes and planter details, a building still requires maintenance during its lifespan and a building near seawater requires that much more maintenance. Buildings where I live can be expected to go 40 years with minimal maintenance, I would not expect a building exposed to seawater to do that.

[@alpharenz1329]

@@billj5645 scary part is how many building was built this way? How many are beyond repair? No one told these people that hundreds of thousands to million-dollar condos are ticking time bomb, it unsafe and it's worthless. Maybe I am being alarmist and this very rare? I am seeing many buildings that have rebar exposed in garage. Cracks on the ceiling. But some of the contractors say it's not as bad. Needs to be fixed and it will still cost millions but they don't go far enough and tell them you have to fix this now.

[@bbingtube]

I know how a little condo HOA here handles the news that their deck's need a reseal for warranty 🤣🤣🤣 couldn't imagine selling them that magnitude of repair.

[@kevinmcgrath3591]

@@billj5645 you say 'This building was 40 years old which is beyond the age where maintenance could be a problem' does this mean that a building that was 20 years old is not beyond the age where maintenance could be a problem? seems self contradictory to me, i dont get it

[@jeanetteshawredden5643]

Unfortunately the government is often part of the problem because they are bribed & bought off to bend rules & regulations while they look the other way! So government intervention won't help! Like the Champlain tower developer that greased the palms of officials- they officials get $ in their pockets and the developer goes his merry way - who cares about the people buying the shoddy condos!

[@garyspencer1711]

Josh, I have been watching every minute of every video exposé that you have produced on the generalized, forensic, probabilistic, events related to Surfside towers. I am sure that all of the INTERESTED engineers (electrical, mechanical,civil, biomedical, etc.) are eagerly waiting for the “materials chemistry” lecture that you will launch soon. For me, this will be the most enlightening and interesting aspect of “strength of materials” and weakening/decaying of these bridge/building materials, especially at the interface of each member. Because you have been an active structural engineer for many years, you assume that the “chemistry” component of the video series might be boring. There are tens of thousands of technical and analytic folks out here in the “cloud” who will not characterize your materials chemistry as boring. THANK YOU for all the excellent content and hard work and sacrifice during this time.

[@NAV-tv7xf]

This will get exponentially worse with the trend towards living roofs and gardens over parking garages.

[@weareomegapro889]

Oh dear.

[@reggierendert6494]

That's a good point🤔

[@alexzapata692]

Thank you for sharing your abundant knowledge. This information is very valuable.

[@otiebrown9999]

Hi Integrity, An excellent review. It looks like these huge, "Concrete Rebar Condos", have a 40 to 50 year life span. Then they get beyond "economical repair". You can not see the damage, until they collapse. Suddenly. Rebar SNAPPED, from rust. Cement crushed, in a second.

[@kingdomfor1]

My brother in-law works for a large concrete supplier, he told me years ago , concrete starts to deteriorate and loose it's strength after fifty years , if fhe concrete mixture is compromised in any way , it will loose it's strength much sooner, I'm a retired house builder , I've seen too many problems with high rise apartments to ever buy one , your chances of surviving a house collapsing is much greater than a multi story apartment. My advice if you haven't got deep pockets , stay away from apartments, just my opinion.

[@otiebrown9999]

@@kingdomfor1 Hi, Good insights from you! Thanks!

[@zikaskoromila2669]

@@kingdomfor1 how long domyou think a 2-3 story building near the beach will last if it was built in the 90s?

[@kingdomfor1]

@@zikaskoromila2669 I'm not an engineer, but I'm a retired builder, it all depends on the type of materials used in construction, but I wouldn't be to concerned about a low-rise construction of that age , but if you need peace of mind get a qualified building inspector to survey the building's structural integrity.