The building architecture lent itself to a unique retrofit solution that included advanced analysis and laboratory testing to prove out a concept using viscous fluid dampers. The long spans and large open bays on the first floor gave our engineering team the opportunity to seek alternative retrofit methods including installing discrete viscous damping elements to lessen the seismic demands transmitted up to the non-ductile columns making up the façade above. Traditionally retrofits include column and beam strengthening as well as new connections between floors and walls that overlay on top of existing structural elements. These methods are costly, time consuming and often change the character of a building. With the fluid viscous dampers, KPFF was able to minimize the impact on the architectural intent as well as drastically reducing the construction cost and schedule.

To prove the retrofit concept, KPFF worked with the engineering department at UCLA itself to conduct component testing in a laboratory setting. The research team recreated key portions of the existing structure within the lab where key structural components were subjected to simulated seismic loading experiments. The testing allowed the engineering team to gain better insights to how the building reacts to seismic loading in as-built conditions.

The nonlinear dynamic procedure in ASCE 41 was used to determine the code requirements for this retrofit. Using parametric studies, the engineering team used the information gleaned from component testing as well as ground motion reports to optimize the supplemental damping system. The critical building behavior occurred in the non-ductile concrete columns above the 3rd floor, and therefore the retrofit was tailored to modulate the seismic actions on these elements so they remained safely within the limits determined by the testing program.

The minimally invasive retrofit will leave the architectural integrity of Franz Hall intact, while allowing our partners, CO Architects, the opportunity to upgrade and refresh the building with thoughtfully designed interiors reflecting the needs of today’s students and faculty. The first phase of construction currently underway includes outfitting the viscous dampers on the upper floors of the building. The second phase of construction will include additional viscous dampers on the first floor as well as the renovation of the interior of the tower.

The post UCLA Franz Hall: Applications of Viscous Fluid Dampers to a Non-Ductile Concrete Structure appeared first on KPFF Greater Los Angeles Structural.

After the Northridge Earthquake and the passage of Senate Bill 1953, Cottage Health began to review their aging building stock at their main Santa Barbara campus location nestled next to Oak Park, and made a bold decision to overhaul almost the entire site to meet these new hospital regulations. In this massive undertaking, the hospital administration has created a brand new facility incorporating all of the recent knowledge gained in patient care to deliver a cutting edge facility to service the Central Coast.

Working together with hospital leadership and the architect LBL, now Perkins Eastman, a phased plan was conceived to aid the process of construction. These phases were intended to help keep this privately funded venture moving forward while allowing the hospital to remain open and provide service to patients during construction.

• The first phase was a new Central Utility Plant, which was required to upgrade the utility infrastructure to handle the load of the new facilities.
• The next phase included two patient pavilions and the Diagnostic and Treatment pavilions. The old patient and diagnostic and treatment programs were moved into this new portion of the hospital.
• Following the completion of the new buildings, we began the demolition of the existing hospital buildings.
• Phase 6, the final phase of construction, comprised one additional in-patient pavilion and the PICU/NICU Children’s pavilion.

KPFF stayed on through-out all phases of the project to assist the general contractor, McCarthy Building Companies, with shoring design, demolition sequences of the existing buildings and interim building designs to keep the project on track and make the site ready for all phases of construction.

The best part of this project was creating long lasting relationships with our partners at Cottage Health as well as the architecture firm LBL, now Perkins Eastman, and the general contractor, McCarthy Building Companies. The design and construction team was instrumental in collaborating on this long term effort that was well worth the wait. Over the past 16 years, more than 30 of our staff members, engineers and drafting professionals have put in approximately 100,000 hours of work towards the design and construction of this campus. We are proud to have partnered with great hospital leadership with a visionary goal.

The 25th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake has given us some time to reflect on the changes that have helped shaped California and our attitude towards design and construction. Building codes change with every new seismic event, and we as a profession adjust to meet the demands set forth by these new parameters. However, the main driver in construction excellence comes from the health systems themselves, adapting and embracing change to deliver better patient experiences and outcomes, manifested in the built environment. As a standard bearer for resiliency, healthcare systems are at the forefront of sustainable design and construction. By delivering this hospital, this team has delivered on the hope and goals Cottage Health had at the beginning of this endeavor, and with trust and hard work their faith paid off. Cottage Health also offers healthcare services at their other locations in Santa Ynez and the Goleta Valley.

The post Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital – 16 Years in the MakingA multi-phase journey that reimagines healthcare in California’s Central Coast appeared first on KPFF Greater Los Angeles Structural.

We are working on several soft story projects related to this ordinance, with half of our projects currently under construction or completed. Additionally we have been in conversations with owners of non-ductile concrete buildings, with whom we expect to work on the seismic evaluation and retrofit design of their structures. Owners of non-ductile concrete buildings have a more generous compliance deadline than owners of soft story buildings (25 years vs. 7 years), therefore we expect that it will take some time before we see owners of non-ductile concrete buildings initiating the process of evaluation and retrofit of their buildings.

The post Los Angeles Seismic Ordinance Update appeared first on KPFF Greater Los Angeles Structural.