Kodo apartment tower cracking caused by installation and is not structural, engineers report says

ENGINEERS have finished an investigation into the cause of columns that cracked on a $100m city apartment project, clearing the building of structural issues.

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• CFMMEU anger over tower investigation

AN investigation into cracking in concrete columns on a $100 million apartment build has found their installation caused the damage, with engineers clearing the project of any structural issues, the project’s builder says.

Watpac general manager construction Nick Saclley said structural design engineers of the Kodo apartment tower on Angas Street had conducted a “thorough review” of the damage to the columns on level six and “reaffirmed” the surface cracking was not a structural design issue.

“AECOM considers the damage to the columns has occurred due to installation issues at these issues, not due to structural design, and have proposed rectification works accordingly,” he said in a statement.

“These conclusions and rectification works have been supported by independent engineering advice.”

An investigation has found cracking to columns on the Kodo apartment tower site on Angas Street was caused by their installation. Builder Watpac will inspect remaining precast columns but expects structural work to begin again next week. Picture: Tait Schmaal

The Advertiser revealed last month that structural work on the Kerry Stokes-backed Kodo building — which will be the city’s tallest apartment building at 103m when finished — had to be stopped after the discovery of cracks and rubble at the base of the columns on the sixth floor.

Watpac installed more than 1000 steel props across to support the weight of 24 completed floors pending the outcome of the engineer’s investigation.

Mr Saclley said in light of the cracking, Watpac’s quality assurance team is inspecting all installed precast concrete elements before restarting structural work on the 30-storey building.

“The inspection process and repair to the two columns is scheduled to be completed this week, allowing structural works to recommence immediately following AECOM sign-off and approval,” he said.

More than 1000 steel props were installed in the Kodo apartment tower to support each floor pending the outcome of an investigation into the cause of cracking to two columns. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Kodo apartments builder Watpac says an engineer has found the cause of cracking to two columns was due to their installation and cleared the project of any structural issues. Picture: CFMMEU

Watpac corporate affairs manager Amanda Campbell said that structural work is expected to restart next week.

“Work has continued with various trades while the investigation has been undertaken and we remain on track for delivering a quality building for our client,” she said.

The Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union raised concerns last week about the progress of the investigation.