The following shocking piece was contributed by my old chum from high school (thanks, Lina!). It's so unbelievable that it caused the hairs on my head to almost stand at attention. Read on and see if the news doesn't send you in a state of shock.
Please don't shoot the messenger!
YES, IT'S AN ENTIRE 13-STORY BUILDING IN CHINA LYING ON THE GROUND.
(1) An underground garage was being dug on the south side of the building, to a depth of 4.6 meters (15 ft).
(2) The excavated dirt was being piled up on the north side of the building, to a height of 10 meters (32 ft).
(3) They dug right up to the base of the building. Then the rains came.
(4) The building experienced uneven lateral pressure from north to south.
(5) This resulted in a lateral pressure of 3,000 tonnes, which was greater than what the un-reinforced pilings could tolerate. Thus, the building toppled completely over in a southernly direction.
Please don't shoot the messenger!
* * *
Anyone who bought an apartment here sure has a problem. Talk about a collapsed market! YES, IT'S AN ENTIRE 13-STORY BUILDING IN CHINA LYING ON THE GROUND.
(1) An underground garage was being dug on the south side of the building, to a depth of 4.6 meters (15 ft).
(2) The excavated dirt was being piled up on the north side of the building, to a height of 10 meters (32 ft).
(3) They dug right up to the base of the building. Then the rains came.
(4) The building experienced uneven lateral pressure from north to south.
(5) This resulted in a lateral pressure of 3,000 tonnes, which was greater than what the un-reinforced pilings could tolerate. Thus, the building toppled completely over in a southernly direction.
*First, the apartment building was constructed.*
Then the plan called for an underground garage to be dug out. The excavated soil was piled up on the other side of the building.
*Heavy rains resulted in water seeping into the ground.*
The building began to tilt. Then it began to shift, and the "hollow" concrete pilings were snapped due to the uneven lateral pressures.
And thus was born the eighth wonder of the world.
If these buildings were closer together, it would have resulted in a domino effect.
Don't you feel better now that these are the folks that manufacture nearly EVERYTHING we buy and use today?
One more product "MADE IN CHINA" ...
Notice that there's NO rebar in the pilings! Just some wire mesh.
They built 13 stories on grade, with no basement, and tied it all down to hollow pilings with no rebar.
Don't you feel better now that these are the folks that manufacture nearly EVERYTHING we buy and use today?
One more product "MADE IN CHINA" ...
