Scribd
Upload
7 views

Item 2

for reporting

Uploaded by

Rhenalyn Napoles
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
7 views

Item 2

for reporting

Uploaded by

Rhenalyn Napoles
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

One notable example of a construction project failure is the collapse of the Sampoong Department

Store in Seoul, South Korea, in 1995. This tragic incident highlights several critical issues in construction
and project management.

Scenario:

The Sampoong Department Store was a five-story building with a basement, initially designed as an
office building. During construction, the plans were altered to convert it into a department store, which
required significant structural changes. These changes included the addition of a skating rink and a
swimming pool on the roof, which added substantial weight to the structure.

Causes of Failure:

1. Design Changes: The building’s original design was not intended to support the additional
weight of the new facilities. The structural modifications were not adequately planned or
executed.

2. Poor Construction Practices: There were numerous construction flaws, including the use of
substandard materials and inadequate reinforcement of the concrete columns.

3. Lack of Maintenance: Over time, cracks and other signs of structural weakness were ignored.
The building’s management failed to address these issues, leading to further deterioration.

4. Overloading: The rooftop additions significantly increased the load on the building’s structure,
which was already compromised by poor construction practices.

Consequences:

On June 29, 1995, the building collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 502 people and injuring 937 others. It
remains one of the deadliest peacetime building collapses in history1.

Lessons Learned:

 Adherence to Original Design: Significant changes to a building’s design should be carefully


evaluated and approved by qualified engineers.

 Quality Control: Ensuring the use of high-quality materials and proper construction techniques is
crucial.

 Regular Maintenance: Ongoing inspection and maintenance can help identify and address
structural issues before they lead to catastrophic failures.

 Load Management: Understanding and respecting the load-bearing capacity of a structure is


essential to prevent overloading.

This tragic event underscores the importance of rigorous planning, quality control, and maintenance in
construction projects.
The department store after the collapse Rescue crews at the site of the collapse

You might also like