ZFI was retained by the owner to provide third-party guidance and oversight following a partial collapse of the building’s steel superstructure during construction. A fast-moving stormfront accompanied by high winds resulted in the collapse of three stories of unbraced structural steel framing on one side of the structure. ZFI assessed the damaged structure and provided guidance on acceptable damage tolerances for members that could be left in place and reused, members that needed repair, and members that must be replaced. ZFI also visually inspected damaged foundations and anchor bolt connections and provided guidance on remediation.
ZFI reviewed proposed disassembly plans and extents, remediation sequences, repair details and techniques, and replacement extents prepared by the steel erector and their engineers. ZFI, while working closely with the general contractor, steel fabricator, steel erector, and the engineer of record, reviewed the progress of the repairs and the replacement erection multiple times throughout the process to give the owner updates on the remediation efforts. Rapid timelines and responses were adhered to in order to keep the construction schedule as minimally impacted as possible.
