Cracks appear in Shanghai skyscraper zone

Shanghai (CNS) -- Some cracks have appeared in the cement ground cover close to the construction site of the Shanghai Tower recently, triggering public concern over the likelihood of local subsidence spreading.

The builder of the Tower project told CNS that it is normal for cracks to appear during construction, adding that the underground floors of the tower are nearly finished and there is no expectation of further subsidence.

Some of the cracks have been patched with pitch, and for the moment the remaining ones won't affect surrounding traffic.

An engineering expert told CNS the weight of a skyscraper is always calculated in design phase, and in this case ground deformation is still under control.

The construction company pledged to monitor ground tolerance from the groundbreaking ceremony right through to its expected completion early in 2015.