Australian pagoda at Sydney Olympic Park. (photo by Australian newspaper)
An initial investigation into the cracking of the (Opal Tower) pagoda in Sydney O found that its overall structure was intact and multiple factors of design and construction intertwined, leading to problems in the building. However, it is pointed out that the incident has nothing to do with extreme weather and inferior materials.
The new state`s director of planning, Robert (Anthony Roberts), released the report today, noting that some parts of the building did not match the design, the Australian News Network reported.
The discrepancies include that the precast concrete slab is 20 mm wider than the hob beam (hob beams) and does not conform to the dimensions specified in the original design drawings.
In addition, the load-carrying capacity of some hob beams on the 10th and 4th floors "shows that safety factors are below standard requirements." But this factor still needs further design and analysis details.
Although some problems were identified in the report, it was unclear which caused the building to crack.
"although we have separated possible causes from local structural design and building problems, we need more information to account for the cause, or the cause of structural damage," the report`s authors said. And the proposed corrective measures to come to a clear conclusion. "
The report points out that the tower is intact and there is no danger of collapse. However, major rectification works are needed to repair and reinforce damaged hob beams and, in some cases, prefabricated concrete panels above the hob beams need to be repaired and strengthened.
Although Icon, the builder of the Australian pagoda, says most residents can go home, the new state`s government has yet to advise residents that they can return home safely.
One of the report`s authors, Hoffman (Mark Hoffman), dean of the (UNSW) School of Engineering at the University of New South Wales, told journalist at a news conference yesterday: "We outlined some of the things that need to be examined before residents return home. It is also recommended that the authorities examine and investigate these problems. "
In addition to Hoffman, another engineer appointed by the new state government to conduct the survey is Carter (John Carter)., an emeritus professor at (University of Newcastle) at Newcastle University
The report comes after a source told the Australian newspaper that one of the theories that caused the Australian pagoda to crack was that the reinforced concrete used for load-bearing beams was not strong enough.
But experts investigating the Australian pagoda incident are said to have major differences over the cause.
The Australian pagoda, whose 300 residents have been evacuated twice since December 24, was found to have cracked for the first time. A total of four investigations are under way on what causes the concrete slab to crack.
The tower`s owners` committee hired Cardno, the engineering firm, to investigate the cause, and Icon hired RincovitchPartners to investigate the cause.
The project`s structural engineering firm, WSP, is also investigating.
