Project Details

Seismic retrofit of the 90,600 SF post-tensioned concrete building with suspended cantilevered slabs originally built in 1966. Scope included 2′ thick shear walls rising 78′ through the interior of the building, a unique 18′ deep shoring and excavation using a combination of concrete underpinnings, and conventional shoring through pea gravel then rock. Over 3,000′ of collector angles and plates, vertical tubes from roof level to 3rd and 2nd levels were used to relieve the stress from the curtain walls suspended 15′ on cantilevered post-tensioned slabs. It also included the installation of a state-of-the-art bonded bracing system. To avoid cutting post tension cables, we employed Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) at up to 8″ slabs and X-rayed at the thicker slab conditions. The project took place in a sensitive and operational part of campus.

Owner
University of California at Berkeley
Location
Berkeley, CA
Square Feet
129,739
Stories
8