CME.09 – Preliminary Structural Investigation of Champlain Towers South Collapse in Surfside, Florida

• Gio Bach
• Jerri Delgado
• Amir Louaibi
• Jesica Ponce
• Shivani Surani

The Surfside Condominium Collapse that occurred on June 24, 2021, was one of the deadliest structural engineering failures in the history of the United States, which claimed the lives of 98 people. Major structure collapses of this magnitude cause catastrophic human and capital loss. Reports of the collapse highlighted the “major structural damage” to the concrete slab, spalling concrete columns, and beams, cracking, and exposed rebars below the pool deck and in the garage. In addition, evidence showed that there was leakage in the pool deck, which means a higher chance of corrosion occurring. These structure collapses need to be studied and analyzed carefully to ensure that failure of this type will not occur again. A formal investigation is underway by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to get to the bottom of the causes of the collapse, but that investigation will take about three to four years to complete. This project investigates possible collapse theories that are based on photos/videos of the actual collapse and collapsed structures, construction records, original design drawings, the structural field survey done two years prior to the collapse, repair plans prepared prior to collapse, and other evidence that is made available to the public by the city of Surfside and investigators. After the preliminary investigation, the team will develop a collapse theory based on the evidence collected. However, the team’s primary focus will turn to design, testing, and maintenance recommendations that could have prevented a collapse of this nature from occurring in the first place. The team will use a software model analysis to design the first-floor lobby deck and basement to show the different stress, deflections, and other structural factors for that slab deck. The team will then present these findings in a formal presentation video along with a technical report. -Group #9