Amid the explosion of real estate collapses in mainland China, more and more substandard construction projects are coming to light. Analysts believe that with the economic downturn, both local governments and developers are running out of money, leading to a vicious cycle of cutting corners in construction.
According to a report by The Paper, on June 30th, Mr. Chen, a homeowner in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, complained that the newly delivered residential building in Green Land InterCity had holes poked through the floor with PVC pipes and wooden sticks. “Who would have thought that big chunks of cement would fall so easily, and with just a couple of pokes with wooden sticks, they went through. It’s all sand and gravel,” he said.
Feeling helpless, Mr. Chen mentioned that this was the school district property they spent hundreds of thousands on, and due to the educational needs of their children, they had no choice but to move in. The developer responded by calling it a minor quality flaw, explaining that the holes were for initial construction convenience and only affected the appearance, not safety.
However, netizens expressed skepticism, stating, “Even if it’s for construction, the material shouldn’t be this flimsy,” and “Covering up with excuses,” “I don’t believe it’s safe,” “Substandard construction work is too frightening, it’s like playing with people’s lives.”
Regarding the easily pierced holes, a professional suggested, “Indeed, those are intended for wires, but there was cutting corners in the filling process,” “Who would fill the holes with cement mortar? It should be filled with fine aggregate concrete,” “Holes like these should be reinforced, and then filled with cement.”
It is understood that these holes, used for marking and measuring during construction, are also utilized for passing wires, pipelines, or other essential infrastructures.
An American-Chinese structural engineer, Mr. Yu, explained to a reporter that the holes are necessary, but the problem arises when the concrete mix isn’t right, lacking in strength or reinforcement. This could lead to cracks and potentially collapse under substantial loads.
He elaborated, “For small wire holes, concrete needs to be poured in, and for larger holes, reinforcement is needed. When pouring concrete, the edges of the holes need to be chipped for the concrete to adhere properly.”
Concrete consists of cement, stone, sand, and water mixed together. Mr. Yu further explained about a specific type of concrete mix called micro-expansion fine aggregate concrete, which prevents shrinking upon drying and provides a solid blockage.
“In theory, rooms such as the living room shouldn’t have holes like these. For example, if there’s a hole from the bathroom above, even that is unsightly. Normally, any holes present should be hidden above the ceiling with all the piping concealed,” he added.
Recently, numerous instances of shoddy construction in residential properties have been exposed. Reports showed cases where fake fire hydrants without water supply, leaking drainage systems, wooden boards covering vertical shafts under tiles, rusting iron railings, and unreinforced barriers were discovered.
Netizens criticized such practices, saying, “In ancient China, there were hanging temples; now we have hanging buildings,” “Leading in instability, living up to its reputation,” “Chinese characteristics – looking grand on the outside but weak within.”
Mr. Yu stressed the importance of proper construction practices to ensure safety and durability. He emphasized the need for a solid foundation and structural integrity, especially in high-rise buildings where compromised foundations could lead to severe consequences.
Regarding incidents of ground subsidence and collapses due to heavy rains, Mr. Yu highlighted the critical role of soil mechanics engineers in soil exploration and foundation design to prevent such disasters.
In conclusion, the deteriorating quality of construction in mainland China has been attributed to corruption, cost-cutting practices, and economic downturns. Without stringent oversight and proper funding, the cycle of unfinished and substandard projects will persist, posing risks to residents and infrastructure safety.
It is imperative for authorities and developers to prioritize quality, safety, and adherence to proper construction standards to avoid further tragedies in the future.