State inspectors in Shenzhen, China, have found at least 15 local plants producing concrete with unprocessed sea sand. Thirty-one companies have been cited for violations, and eight were ordered to suspend business for a year. Construction on multiple projects in Guangdong Province—including the 660-m Ping'an Finance Center—has been halted during the inspection. (Only 80 meters of the Ping'an building has been erected so far; China Construction First Building Group Corp. Ltd. is the primary contractor.)
Unprocessed sea sand is illegal to use as an aggregate in concrete because its chlorine and salt content are corrosive to steel, causing buildings to degrade and potentially collapse within a few decades. River sand, the preferred material, costs twice as much and is in short supply.
The scandal is currently confined to Shenzhen but could spread to other cities given the obvious financial incentives for using sea sand. Inspectors also found that two large sand pits were using seawater instead of fresh water to rinse sand, also a problematic practice.
Industry experts express particular concern because China currently has nine of the putative 20 tallest buildings in the world currently under construction, as well as many other skyscrapers.
(http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1191896/shenzhen-construction-hold-after-alert-over-cheap-sand-concrete)
Related Stories
Big Data | May 5, 2016
Demand for data integration technologies for buildings is expected to soar over the next decade
A Navigant Research report takes a deeper dive to examine where demand will be strongest by region and building type.
Urban Planning | May 4, 2016
Brookings report details how different industries innovate
In the new report, “How Firms Learn: Industry Specific Strategies for Urban Economies,” Brookings' Scott Andes examines how manufacturing and software services firms develop new products, processes, and ideas.
Architects | May 3, 2016
Study finds engineering, architecture among the best entry-level jobs
The results balanced immediate opportunity, job growth potential, and job hazards.
Architects | Apr 25, 2016
Notable architects design mini-golf holes for London Design Festival
Visionaries like Paul Smith, Mark Wallinger, and the late Zaha Hadid all helped in designing the course, which will be integrated into London’s Trafalgar Square.
University Buildings | Apr 25, 2016
New University of Calgary research center features reconfigurable 'spine'
The heart of the Taylor Institute can be anything from a teaching lab to a 400-seat theater.
Architects | Apr 22, 2016
What leads to success in the density-driven workplace?
CallisonRTKL’s Kirill Pivovarov explores how densification can lead to increased productivity and innovation in the workplace.
Government Buildings | Apr 22, 2016
Public-private partnership used to fund Long Beach Civic Center Project
Arup served as a lead advisor and oversaw financial, commercial, real estate, design, engineering, and cost consulting.
High-rise Construction | Apr 20, 2016
OMA reveals designs for its first Tokyo skyscraper
The goal is for the Toranomon Hills Station Tower to transform its neighborhood and serve as a hub for international business.
Architects | Apr 20, 2016
Bill Hellmuth named HOK’s new CEO
Hellmuth has been HOK's President since 2005. The firm will be led by a design principal for the first time since 1990.
Libraries | Apr 18, 2016
Best in Library Design: AIA names seven projects 2016 Library Building Awards winners
Snøhetta’s Ryerson University student center and the Billings (Mont.) Public Library by Will Bruder+Partners highlight the seven winning projects.
