HIGHLAND TOWERS TRAGEDY

HIGHLANDTOWERS

TRAGEDY

GROUP MEMBER

MOHD ZAIHA BIN HASHIM SX095089MMD04

MOHD SAFWAN BIN ISHAK SX091292MMJ04

IZZUAN AZMI BIN ZAINAL ABIDIN SX095273MMD04

SAMSUL AZHAR BIN BAHAROM SHAH SX095784MMD04

MOHD FAIRUS BIN MOHD HASHIM SX055638MMD03

MOHD SAIFIFI BIN RAMLI SX095820MMD04

Background of Tragedy

3 blocks of 12 storey condominium in Hulu Kelang

Began construction in 1974

11 Dec 1993 at 1.35pm Block 1 collapsed

48 died Dark history in

construction industry of Malaysia

Chronology of Tragedy

Before 1964 Application by the Highland Properties Sdn

Bhd for project proposal 1964

JPBK Selangor began evaluation KL District Office approved the proposal

1974 Construction began by Konsortium Jurubina

Perunding


1978 Completion of Block 1, Certificate of Fitness

(CF) issued Residents started moving in

1981 Completion of Block 2, CF issued Residents started moving in

1992 Completion of Block 3, CF issued Residents started moving in


1st July 1992 Establishment of Ampang Jaya Municipal

Council (MPAJ) MPAJ accountable over the project

1993 MPAJ issued CF for condominium basement

parking construction November 1993

Resident found crack on roads around the condominium


11 Dec 1993 1.35 pm – Block 1 of the towers collapsed

13 Dec 1993 A cabinet committee was formed, chaired by

DPM (DSAI) to solve all issues regarding the tragedy

22 Dec 1993 48 found dead until this date, search & rescue

mission ended 1994

Detailed report of tragedy published

Causes of Tragedy

Tropical climate brings high amount of rain

Unsystematic drainage system Topography area of hills, geology and

unstable soil-sand mix type that contribute to landslide

Design mistakes of concrete wall at the back of Block 1 of the Towers

Causes of Tragedy

Bukit Antarabangsa development by MBF & AMFB 150m uphill from the Highland Towers scalped large area of forest

Heavy rain forced water to seep into hill soil Cause flood of mud that cracked the roads

around the condo Surface water overflow eroded the soil on the

slope Soil structure become unstable and resulted

slippage and landslide

Causes of Tragedy

Supporting wall on the front and rear of the building collapsed and let the slippage occurred easier

The slippage weakened the front support of the building

Load on rear of the building increased Base of the condo become more unstable and

overstressed the front piles of the condo The piles broken, building tilted due to movement

of centre of gravity Gradually collapsed on it side

Action by Authorities

A cabinet committee chaired by DPM (DSAI) was formed 2 days after tragedy

Selangor State Government via MPAJ formed a special investigation unit to determine causes of the tragedy and detailed report published in 1994

Government immediately froze all high-rise project on hillside approval until new policy has been approved

All high-rise construction project delayed, while project on construction would continue after submission stability & safety report by consultant

Action by Authorities

All building over 5 storey on hillside needs safety confirmation from consultant within 6 months

All states government froze high-rise construction on hillside project

DPM announced that the Federal would draft a new policy regarding development on highland area

All highland development project required Environmental Impact Assessment for project Approval

Existing act related to highland development amended

Effect and Implication

48 found death Loss and damage of properties Environmental damage of surrounding

area Amendments of existing act related to

environment Possibilities of decreasing demands over

residential on hillsides.

Comment & Suggestion

Rules & Regulation must be made according to new findings due to new discoveries by researchers local and overseas

Involved parties should be more concern by ensuring building design, materials used and contractors qualifications meet the specs

Approving bodies should consist experts, professionals and personnel with no conflict of interest.

A geo-technical team should monitor physical structure of land and construction of high-rise building

Conclusion

The tragedy happened not due lack of science and technology instead it happened mainly due to pride of living on hillside as a symbol of luxury.

The increasing demand has driven capitalism-minded developer that concern more of profit than human safety on race of highland development project.

Some defect politician that profited by overruling calculated decision by engineers and experts to approve project on risky area that destroy environment and our natural watersheds.

The construction going fast without slope monitoring by local authorities as developer lobbying for more development on surrounding area

Sources & References

http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedi_Highland_Towers

http://www.hba.org.my/archive/focus/HT/1999.htm


http://www.budiey.com/in-memory-of-the-highland-towers-disaster/










HIGHLAND TOWERS TRAGEDY

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