Private engineers specializing in building collapses have highlighted several warning signs that could indicate a building's risk of collapse, including changes such as bulging walls, sticking windows, new cracks in plaster, and unusual noises. While the NYC Department of Buildings encourages residents to report structural stability concerns, experts suggest that contacting private engineers for inspections and reports may be more effective in non-emergency situations. Residents are also advised to stay informed about ongoing construction and utilize the Department of Buildings Building Information System to access inspection reports and violations.
Analysis of the structural engineering of Titan, a submersible vessel used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic, could potentially help or hinder wrongful death lawsuits. The analysis could provide insight into the safety and reliability of the vessel, but could also reveal any potential flaws or negligence in its design or operation.
PLP Labs, the research arm of London-based PLP Architecture, has been experimenting with mycelium bio-composites as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. The team created 3D-printed wooden formworks, which were then loaded with hemp as a substrate. This substrate, inoculated with mycelium, then starts to grow, taking the shape of its vessel. The mycelium forms possess excellent acoustic and thermal properties, are lightweight, fire-resistant, and have good insulation properties.
A masonry company owner, Ryan Shaffer, said he warned the owner of the Davenport apartment building that collapsed on Sunday, May 28, that the building was unsafe and that someone would die if it wasn't shored up. Shaffer said he was asked to bid on the work but was rejected because his bid was too high. The building passed city inspections, but hundreds of pages of documents released by the city on Wednesday show structural engineering reports, notices of violations, orders to vacate some apartments, and resident complaints over the past three years. At least five people are unaccounted for.
