SINKHOLE

Under surface support missing

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A radar scan yesterday didn't detect any cavity that could have caused the collapse of Rama IV Road on Sunday, but it did show that the spot had no ferro-concrete support.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Theerachon Manomiapibul led the inspection, using a rented ground-penetrating radar (GPR) that could look 2.5 metres beneath the surface to check the concrete structure for the 400-metre stretch between Lumpini Tower and Wireless intersection.

The test didn't turn up anything abnormal and the road had a ferro-concrete support underneath except at the sinkhole site.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will investigate whether the contractor hired in 2003 for road repair did a substandard job.

The city will also have the Engineering Institute of Thailand help find the cause of the cave-in, as an initial search has found no damage to the sewer or water mains that run under the road. The result should be released in two weeks.

The city will also consider buying a Bt6-million GPR for use in surveying roads for infrastructure development, Theerachon said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-22

aliens?

They will investigate, they will invest, they have validated that no other spot is faulty without concrete support. What bluster and wind blowing. This story, like most, will just evaporate.

The test didn't turn up anything abnormal and the road had a ferro-concrete support underneath except at the sinkhole site.

Steel was a little short during construction. Buried underground, who could have noticed?

I doubt any improvement to procedures will be made. From selecting contractors, to checking their work, to regular inspections, to maintenance of roads... nothing will change.

It makes one wonder how many other potential sinkholes there are under the roads in Bangkok and throughout Thailand? Also what will happen to the contractor who has taken shortcuts, how many other contract jobs have shortcuts built in, is it just roads or are there any highrise buildings on which shortcuts have been taken.

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Right: "The test didn't turn up anything abnormal and the road had a ferro-concrete support underneath except at the sinkhole site."

It is not abnormal in Thailand that they save a bit on the costs.

Was a standard one year guarantee. Should have taken out an extended warranty

No refund.

I doubt any improvement to procedures will be made. From selecting contractors, to checking their work, to regular inspections, to maintenance of roads... nothing will change.

And no change will be made to teach Thais proper engineering of anything, including roads.