Case Analysis 2 essays needed - see attached instructions. Essay can be as short as 600 words. *Read the assigned articles and watch the supporting videos Task 1. Identify (i.e., “Name”) and Describe

Students were asked to analyze the collapse of a condominium tower in Florida based upon the article:

Putzier, K., Calvert, S. & Levy, R. (2021). Behind The Florida Condo Collapse: Rampant Corner-Cutting; Inadequate waterproofing, thin columns and faulty concrete emerge as leading possibilities in Champlain Towers South tragedy, Wall Street Journal (Online) ; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 24 Aug 2021.

One question on the midterm was:

Discuss how the issue of cost played a role in the collapse.

Costs associated with its construction and maintenance contributed to its collapse. After the building's collapse, investigating teams were able to see many inefficiencies related to the tower's structural strength and quality.  The developers of the towers minimized costs and cut corners when building the tower.  The article "Behind The Florida Condo Collapse", states that in the early 1980's building codes in South Florida also were not sufficiently strict.  Also, in this time period, less was known about risk in building along coastal ends.  The lack of risk knowledge, lax building codes, and evidence of poor structural components, all contributed, but investigators also found the original building builders avoided investing, "more than necessary", in the tower's structural integrity.  One example, architectural plans set for 3/4 inch covering in flor slabs, but building codes at the time required 1.5 inches, to allow a second line of defense against saltwater.  Taking construction shortcuts, to save money, was evident as reflected in the rubble of the collapse building.  Many shortcuts were evidently taking upon its construction, including skipping waterproofing where areas could have saltwater seep into concrete, lack of more shear walls (to withstand lateral forces), thicker columns to hold building, and soft concrete.  One contractor, hired by officials stated the concrete was softer than building plans stated.  Compressive strength for this concrete should've been at 6,000 psi, however, he states this building's concrete seemed to be softer and not 6,000 psi compressive strength.

In October 2018, Morabito Consultants were hired to assess building nearing its 40-year re-certification. The engineer's warning detailing numerous problems with the building's structure.  The Miami Dade county mayor stated they were not aware of the extensive damages in the building, and the Surfside mayor stated the report, by Morabito, was likely "filed...but not read."  At a meeting, one Surfside town building official dismissed the report and stated the building was "in very good shape...".  In April of 2021, the condo's association issued a letter to residents stating the need to pay for assessment and repairs to major structural damages totaling $15 million dollars.  As stated by the association president, Jean Wodnicki, "the damage has gotten significantly works since initial inspection....A lot of this work could have been done or planned for in years gone by.  But this is where we are now.."  The association clearly wanted to pass on these costs to its residents in a very abrupt manner as they delayed planning and budgeting towards restoring the tower's structure and integrity.