Now, I'm not a structural engineer or anything, but...

[Recursion]

... doesn't it look suspiciously like this building wasn't being built on a "foundation" of any sort?

http://gizmodo.com/5304233/entire-new-13+story-building-tips-over-in-shanghai/

[bluesbassman]

1. Back in the day we called those "California mud sills"...

Basically they formed up a slab (no footings) poured it, and built right on top of the slab. Looks like the Chinese used the same technique. Only difference is that I've never seen one over one story. That structure is crazy! I guess those pipes were supposed to be some sort of piling type of support, but obviously they were woefully inadequate.

[intaglio]

3. Those sort of micro-pilings

are supposed to be 10 to 20 m long, flared, concrete filled, for buildings on flat ground and no more than 3 or 4 storeys.

[applegrove]

2. That is just crazy.

[Scuba]

4. Not to worry, the free hand of the market will sort it out. No job killing regualations needed.

[Recursion]

5. There's a principle of software engineering

"Fail loud and early"

I will grant that they did that...

[In_The_Wind]

6. Holy crap!

[hunter]

7. The apartment building itself held up remarkably well.

The foundation on the other hand....

Hmmm.... what to do with the other buildings in the group. I wouldn't want to live there.

[jmowreader]

8. The worst part of this...

There are two more identical buildings standing right next to it.

[Earth_First]

9. It's just taking a nap, relax!

You try standing with no rest for that long...

[Vashta Nerada]

10. Where's the foundation?

[Initech]

11. Is that a scene from Inception?