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The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) continues its investigation into the 2021 partial collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida. Recent findings reinforce earlier conclusions that the failure began in the pool deck rather than in the residential tower.
NIST analyzed photos, maintenance records, and eyewitness accounts, which showed cracks in the first-floor slab, particularly concentrated in the street-level parking and pool deck, years before the collapse. Investigators highlighted visible signs of distress in the weeks prior, including a sliding door that came off its frame, planter wall cracks, a jammed gate, and worsening water leaks from the garage ceiling. Evidence shows the pool deck and parking area began collapsing at least seven minutes before the tower itself.
Ongoing computer simulations and large-scale structural testing point to failure likely starting at a slab-column connection in the pool deck, with contributing factors including steel corrosion, concrete shrinkage, and improperly built construction joints.
NIST expects to complete technical work by the end of 2025 and issue a summary report and six technical reports. The team is working with stakeholders in design, construction, inspection, and maintenance to ensure the findings translate into stronger safety practices for both new and existing buildings.
The next detailed public update is scheduled for spring 2026.
You can find the information here: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/ne...investigation-nears-completion-technical-work
NIST analyzed photos, maintenance records, and eyewitness accounts, which showed cracks in the first-floor slab, particularly concentrated in the street-level parking and pool deck, years before the collapse. Investigators highlighted visible signs of distress in the weeks prior, including a sliding door that came off its frame, planter wall cracks, a jammed gate, and worsening water leaks from the garage ceiling. Evidence shows the pool deck and parking area began collapsing at least seven minutes before the tower itself.
Ongoing computer simulations and large-scale structural testing point to failure likely starting at a slab-column connection in the pool deck, with contributing factors including steel corrosion, concrete shrinkage, and improperly built construction joints.
NIST expects to complete technical work by the end of 2025 and issue a summary report and six technical reports. The team is working with stakeholders in design, construction, inspection, and maintenance to ensure the findings translate into stronger safety practices for both new and existing buildings.
The next detailed public update is scheduled for spring 2026.
You can find the information here: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/ne...investigation-nears-completion-technical-work
