Structural Nightmare

The Millennium Tower is sinking. At around an inch per year, the problem of sinking is compounded by the uneven process, which makes it 6 inches out of plumb at the top - at this time.

Like any building with foundation problems, leaks are developing, cracks are appearing, and concrete is fracturing. Unlike most buildings, the tower has 58 stories, and is 645 feet in height.

From what I've read, the problems that caused the settling are pilings that used friction for bearing, and dewatering activities for construction around the building.

Lawsuits are piling up, and while they accumulate, I have a feeling the building will become dangerous before the litigation is over.

After looking at some of the pictures of foundation stress cracks, and spalls, I'd be uneasy just walking into the building. Since the majority of the structure is concrete, when the right amount fails, there will be no slow bending; the concrete will shatter, and the reinforcement rod will not be able to support the load. Even if the building doesn't fall, the fracturing concrete can produce shrapnel, which is just as deadly.

I doubt there are case studies with similar problems, and the engineers examining the building probably are probably working with computer models, instrumentation, and guessing. While they can probably arrive at a method to stop the settling, I doubt there's any way to level the building, which leaves those that invested in the building (mostly high dollar residential) with unique problems. Even if they decide to stay, their floors will never be level, and their walls will never be plumb.