How can you tell if a building is structurally safe and durable?

[Anonymous]

I saw this video of 50 construction workers got killed in a collapse building in my country. Its just so sad that there are also kids died in there.

[molonski2]

What country are you from? We had an incident like that here in Thailand maybe 3 years ago , I spent 30 years in construction / new home sales , it really comes down to regulation in the various countries.

Check who the developer was / is , and look for tell tail signs like movement in foundation , but for a punter you are really reliant on authorities and permitting.

[Asker]

Philippines.

[molonski2]

Yes , well.. always a bit dodgy , really no way of knowing..

[Asker]

Um I believe they cheapen out on materials

[molonski2]

Yes
And bribery for permits..

[purplepoppy]

It always amazes me that here in the UK we've buildings hundreds of years old made of horse shit and straw that were constructed in under a week that are still in use. Yet modern buildings become dangerous in under 30 years.

[Asker]

Are those buildings at least have multiple floors?

If yes then those are amazing for 100 year old building. Maybe engineers there are just smart

[purplepoppy]

Yes, some are over 2 floors and date back to the 14th century. A 100+ year house is very common in the UK and are often more solidly built than new ones.

[Asker]

Ah this building that I was talking about has 9 floors it collapsed. Weak foundation so yeah..

You know? They cheapen out the materials even ancient great wall of china is still standing to this day amazing how smart they were back then.

[DryGermanGuy]

Strict government regulations, oversight and enforcement. No shortcuts, whatsoever. We have buildings from the 14th century, still standing.

[Asker]

Germany? Amazing then.

[DryGermanGuy]

It’s just everyday normality. A collapsing building (which has happened, for different reasons) is a crass outlier.

[OneViewpoint]

While in our shithole red states in the USA (Floriduh) we have 40 year old high rise luxury beachfront condos that are collapsing because the developer/builder formed an HOA (Home Owner Association) and left condo owners in charge of maintenance and inspections. Guess how well owners decided to fund maintenance! Guess how well they communicated and worked with city inspectors. Now the original buyers are ditching the problems they created and new buyers are finding out after the fact that they bought into a dangerous building.

The developer? He filled his pockets and disappeared decades ago. That is extremist Capitalism USA style. Luckily the dead don't sue.

[Dargil]

If I knew how the structure was designed, yes. The World Trade Center was "lift slab" Built in doom. A B25 bomber crashed into the Empire state building. They fixed it,

[strateguy632]

you can't only if engineer checked. you aren't sad about men died?

[Asker]

I am sad. Its heartbreaking.