Federal investigators have shed light on design flaws and construction deficiencies that could have significantly compromised the structural integrity of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, long before the tragic collapse that claimed the lives of 98 individuals. According to a recent analysis, issues with the pool deck’s construction in 1981 laid the groundwork for potential failure, which was exacerbated over the years by corrosion and renovations that added an excessive load beyond the deck’s original design capacity.

Lead investigator Glenn Bell from the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) addressed the issue in a public meeting at the agency’s Maryland headquarters. He emphasized that the conditions existing in the pool deck slab at the time of construction were a serious safety concern for the building. The team’s preliminary findings suggest that while it’s not yet confirmed whether these deficiencies directly caused the June 24, 2021 collapse, they are a leading hypothesis among various factors being considered.

Champlain Towers South, situated on a barrier island, exhibited a history of faulty construction and structural damage, including corrosion that extended beyond the pool deck. A three-year-old engineering assessment had identified these concerns. Additionally, scientists had documented the infiltration of saltwater into the building’s underground foundation, coupled with gradual sinking during the 1990s.

The pool deck’s plan reportedly deviated significantly from applicable building codes, resulting in low margins of safety from the outset. An improper placement of steel reinforcement in the pool deck slab weakened its structure. Subsequent renovations introduced heavy materials like planters, palm trees, and sand, which exceeded the original design’s load capacity. The corrosion of steel bars holding the concrete slab further escalated the risk of failure. The convergence of these factors led to critically low margins of safety in specific pool areas at the time of the collapse.

Investigators are also exploring the possibility that design and construction deficiencies in the residential tower caused supports to be overstressed. Climate change’s impact, including water pressure on the building’s basement slab due to rising sea levels, is under scrutiny. Furthermore, changes in concrete and soil conditions are being analyzed.

The parallels between the “quality issues” observed in Champlain Towers South and the factors contributing to the collapse of elevated walkways at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City in 1981 are striking, according to James Harris, another NIST investigator. These parallels are particularly noteworthy considering the timeline of Champlain Towers South’s construction.

Family members of the victims expressed frustration over the pace of NIST’s investigation. Many are voicing concerns about the ongoing construction plans for a luxury high-rise on the Champlain Towers South site, which could proceed before NIST’s final report is released. He emphasized that future repercussions would rest on the shoulders of NIST, the town of Surfside, the state of Florida, and the federal government if development proceeds on what is deemed an unsafe site.

Original Article By Jon Schuppe – NBC News