2014

November

Engineer and Society

Sayed Asadullah
Highland Tower

UNiSEL, Faculty of Engineering, Civil Engineering Division

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Engineer and Society

HIGHLAND TOWER

Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 3
Background of Tragedy .................................................................................................... 3
Chronology of Tragedy ..................................................................................................... 3
Causes of Tragedy ............................................................................................................... 4
Effect and implication ....................................................................................................... 5
Action by Authorities ........................................................................................................ 5
Comment and Suggestion................................................................................................. 5
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 5
Sources & References ........................................................................................................ 6

2 Unisle, Faculty of Engineering, Civil Division

Engineer and Society

HIGHLAND TOWER

On December 11, 1993 at 1.30pm, after a period of 10 days of incessant rain,

Block 1 of Highland Towers Condominium collapsed resulting in the loss of
48 lives and the loss of use of the remaining two Tower Blocks that is still
unoccupied. The highland towers condominium was sited mainly on fill ground
over granitic formation. The maximum depth from the ground surface to
bedrock is about 19m. Granitic rocks found in and around the areas were not
highly soluble minerals to adversely affect the stability of the foundations.

3 blocks of 12 story 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

Before 1964
o Application by the Highland Properties Sdn Bhd for project
proposal
1964
o JPBK Selangor began evaluation
o KL District Office approved the proposal
1974
o Construction began by Konsortium Jurubina Perunding
1978
o Completion of Block 1, Certificate of Fitness (CF) issued
o Residents started moving in
1981
o Completion of Block 2, CF issued
o Residents started moving in
1992
o Completion of Block 3, CF issued
o Residents started moving in
st
1 July 1992
o Establishment of Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ)
o MPAJ accountable over the project
1993
o MPAJ issued CF for condominium basement parking construction
November 1993
o Resident found crack on roads around the condominium]
11 Dec 1993
o 1.35 pm-Block 1 of the towers collapsed.

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13 Dec 1993
o A cabinet committee was formed, Chaired by DPM (DSAI) to solve
all issues regarding the tragedy
22 Dec 1993
o 48 dead until this date, search & rescue mission ended
1994
o Detailed report of tragedy published

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
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
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 center of gravity
Gradually collapsed on it side

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HIGHLAND TOWER

48 found death
Loss and damage of properties
Environmental damage of surrounding area
Amendments of existing act related to environment
Possibilities of decreasing demand over residential on hillsides

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
All building over 5 story 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

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

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.

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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

http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/tragedi_Highland_Tower
http://www.hba.org.my/archive/focus/HT/1998.htm
http://www.hba.org.my/archive/focus/HT/1999.htm
http://www.budiey.com/in-memory-of-the-highland-tower-disaster/

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