San Francisco's swanky Millennium Tower is slowly sinking -- and, as a result, the 58-story skyscraper tilted up to 3 inches to both its north and west last year.
In recent years, the rate of tilting has lessened as the building settled, according to Hamburger. But fluctuations have occurred, including increased leaning from September to December 2021, part of which coincided with a two-month pause in construction over concerns that stabilization efforts may be worsening the problem,to local media outlets. As of December 31, the tower had leaned a total of 24 inches to the west and 7.9 inches to the north, Hamburger said.
But the tilting is expected to worsen through September of this year, Hamburger said, as engineers install new support piles -- concrete columns encased in steel -- that will reach more than 250 feet into the bedrock below to anchor the building. Construction to stabilize the two buildings includes new piles, anchored to bedrock deep below the ground, that will eventually bear the weight."Once these piles are installed... using hydraulic jacks, some of the building's weight will be transferred to these new piles," Hamburger explained.
"The retrofit is not going to 'stop the sinking' until the piles are driven into bedrock and attached to the foundation," he added."Because the stabilization is still under construction, it has not yet worked to help the building."Leaning towers are not unheard of when it comes to older architecture.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WATCH LIVE: San Francisco officials give COVID updateWATCH LIVE: San Francisco health officials give COVID update as omicron cases surge in city
Read more »
COVID-19 live updates: San Francisco issues new testing guidelines for health care providersNew San Francisco guidelines require all large health care facilities to provide access to COVID-19 testing for people with symptoms and people who have been a close contact within 24 hours of a request from a member patient.
Read more »
San Francisco luxury skyscraper tilting 3 inches per yearA 58-story luxury apartment building in San Francisco continues to sink and is tilting about 3 inches per year.
Read more »
Recent storms washed microplastics into San Francisco Bay, studies showHow do we limit the microplastics the can be washed into creeks, streams, and ultimately San Francisco Bay? Experts introduce new technologies and also easy ways you can practice at home to help protect. the Bay.
Read more »
Unauthorized COVID test site in San Francisco has murky tiesAn unauthorized COVID test site in San Francisco with murky connections is on the radar of the city attorney.
Read more »