An Interesting Slab I Saw Today 2

[YuleMsee]

An interesting thing for me was that cantilevered beama

 

[MIStructE_IRE]

Irish Structural Engineers have a saying “if it looks wrong - it usually is”

 

[Ron]

Don't be too hasty....still under construction. There might be a reason for the configuration that has not yet been revealed by the current state of the construction progress.

 

[MIStructE_IRE]

I agree Ron, I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt that there may be hangers or walls yet to go in... Based on the level below I suspect they’ll replicate the same wall configuration. However its an unusual way to build in my view.

I’d be very interested in seeing some progress photos if we can.

If however it stays like this it would be remiss of YuleMsee not to report this.

 

[Ron]

MIStructE IRE....I agree. It is unusual and if intended to stay as shown could be a disaster. Any possibility to get the plans to take a look?

 

[YuleMsee]

I cannot get the plans, it's not a project I'm involved with. But I'll make a plan with rough dimensions from obsevations. It's an R.C frame building as you can clearly see, so the walls as seen in the level below do not provide any support.
Other photos for the opposite wing

 

[Tommy385]

@YuleMsee It's an R.C frame building as you can clearly see, so the walls as seen in the level below do not provide any support.

I believe that those walls will try to provide the support, they look pretty robust so it way even work (with some luck work)

 

[Agent666]

.... but your honour, it worked in the model, I don't understand what could have gone wrong...


May I ask what country out of interest, no seismic loading? . Could be exterior is having load bearing block/masonry added afterwards like the 1st storey to support the interesting cantilevers. Please do post updates as thing progress as others have requested!

 

[NorthCivil]

From the look of the tin roof - looks like a developing country.

A colleague of mine from Iran told me that engineers are only needed for buildings 6 levels or more over there. its a high seismic region too.

 

[msquared48]

Iran is apparently very into eugenics.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[msquared48]

I would be surprised if there was more than #3 bars at 4 feet each way in those walls. Probably 6 inch max too. Except for the apparent PT slab, very similar to what I saw in Mexico several years ago.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[Ingenuity]

The OP is in Kenya, based upon the E-T Member Profile.

Except for the apparent PT slab...

The above photographed slab is not post-tensioned, if that is what you refer.

 

[MIStructE_IRE]

I dont see any anchor blocks. Why do you suspect its PT?

I WAS wondering if the blockwork was loadbearing and built after pouring the slab for some weird reason.. However looking at the last photo there doesn’t appear to be any blockwork at ground level - so I don’t see how that would work! Its definitely an interesting one! Doesn’t look right to my eye.

 

[Agent666]

Yeah but the props are still in place in the storey below the block...

 

[Ron]

Agent666.......yep!

YuleMsee....that's a screwy framing plan. The infill masonry (poorly done I might add!) has to provide some support but it would appear that the lower floor will not have masonry. Windows perhaps? They have problems! Their shoring and reshoring plan leaves a bit to be desired as well.

Watch this one and keep us informed! Thanks for sharing.

 

[YuleMsee]

This is Nairobi kenya. The basement (not visible) and the first level are for parking, so I believe only a railing will be provided. I will keep you guys posted as it progresses

 

[MIStructE_IRE]

On a serious note... If this building were to collapse in the future..are we not all guilty by not having reported this?

OP is the only one who knows the site location but I believe it should be at the very least queried with the relevant local building control authority.

 

[Ron]

MIStructE IRE....Agree

YuleMsee....It would probably be a good idea to at least notify the local building official of your concerns and that your concerns were at least partially validated by responses in an international engineering forum. In my opinion, only YuleMsee would have an ethical obligation to report the concerns. The rest of us do not have adequate information to form other than speculative opinion, which in the US would be inappropriate to comment on since our laws and code of ethics generally do not allow us to make public comment without adequate information and foundation to do so.

 

[msquared48]

Ingenuity and MIStructE_IRE

I was looking on my cell phone and could not see the under-slab (if you can call it that) detail that I see on my computer now.

Even worse than what I imagined. Definitely not PT.

In Kenya, I have heard of scavanging old truck and car frames for roof structure too.

A very different world out there.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[hokie66]

It is certainly a cut up framing plan, but that is not surprising in domestic work. Based just on those two photos, I am not alarmed, but would have to see the plans, particularly the reinforcement.