Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
(OP)
The city should immediately revise their standards to allow only metal balconies. They are predictable, weather tolerant, easy to analyze, construct-usually in a shop, install quickly and inspect.
Prayers to the loved ones and their losses.
W L Craig, ME






RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.
-R. Buckminster Fuller
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
I do think that regardless of how harsh codes become when it comes to construction materials and methods, somebody will always find a way to screw around it, basicallly what's happening now.
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
If this was a concrete balcony that was not designed for water intrusion, the rebar would have rusted eventually. If it were a steel balcony covered with the same detail, it would have rusted and no one would have noticed. Also, these would cost several times what the wood balcony cost.
The fact that is was wood had nothing to do with it. There are tens of thousands of wood balconies out there. Steel would add cost and complexity. Not to mention thermal bridging issues. For a small fee, these could have been PT and maybe 6 people would still be alive. More over, if the waterproofing detail was better, maybe the water would never have gotten in.
Most decisions in engineering are cost driven. I'm sure carbon fiber titanium balconies would be better than these, but some things are not practical.
When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.
-R. Buckminster Fuller
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
My point is that wood is not an overly cheap, unsafe option.
When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.
-R. Buckminster Fuller
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
Having the underside clear could have let water out or allowed inspection / casual looking to see that the wood was not in a good condition. The fact the balcony was probably only used occasionally and then suddenly at the limit of its capacity contributed to the incident, but not being able to see that the beams were in a poor condition was key. I would like to bet that on initial view, most casual observers would have thought the balcony's were made of concrete and didn't dream it was wood inside.
As for not using PT wood, I have no idea how anyone could actually do that to a structure designed to sit outside in all weathers.
The balconey underneath that has been removed was in much better condition. wood isn't the key issue here.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
I doubt that the deck was adequately vented, if at all, so that any moisture seeping in from a failed seal or internal condensation could not escape. The rest, unfortunately for some, is history.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
That would be ideal. But in the real world, I think you can rule out constant maintenance. And quality construction, along with our ability to control it, is becoming increasingly rare. That leaves design to compensate for the lack of the other two, and good design can largely overcome.
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Cost driven decisions in Berkley lead to death.