Barclays Center construction showing a weakness

From left: Barclays Center and Robert Sanna
From left: Barclays Center and Robert Sanna

Some bolts that fasten the Barclays Center’s steel panels to the structure have proved weak, and have had to be replaced, the New York Times reported. Engineers have found that about 8 percent of the 23,351 weaker bolts total — some 1,768 bolts — need replacement.

According to the Times, Hunt Construction, developer Forest City Ratner’s manager for the development, brought on ASI Limited, an Indiana-based steel manufacturer to make the arena’s rusted panels. In 2011, the manufacturer shuttered after defaulting on a loan, but Hunt eventually had the plant reopened and workers had to rush to the finish line. Over the summer, engineers saw that ASI had sent bolts that were reportedly half as strong as the ones originally ordered.

As previously reported problems have arisen with some of the other firms that had helped bring the stadium to fruition.

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Anthony Sclafani, a spokesperson for the Department of Buildings, told the Times that department inspectors had not been informed of this bolt issue. However, Forest City gave the Times a copy of a letter filed with the DOB outlining the discovery of the weaker bolts and that the replacement process had begun.

Robert Sanna, Forest City’s executive vice president for construction, told the Times that these issues are not uncommon during major construction projects — especially those with customized designs. [NYT] —Zachary Kussin