California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, Seismic Assessment and Retrofit Projects

The California State University (CSU) system has established seismic requirements for all campus buildings, and buildings on the CSU Priority List require seismic assessments to be included as a part of the project scope of any renovation work. We have provided seismic assessments and retrofits for multiple campus buildings on the CSU Priority List, including three on the California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt campus:

Library

We performed a seismic evaluation and seismic retrofit of a 1961 library building, which is listed on the CSU Seismic Priority List. The scope included evaluation of both structural and non-structural elements, and the resulting retrofit work included new shotcrete shear walls, new fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapping of existing columns and improved seismic anchorage of existing library stacks.

Theatre Arts Building

Originally constructed in 1959, the theatre arts building was listed on the CSU Seismic Priority List. The concrete and steel building required evaluation per ASCE 41 and a retrofit for diaphragm deficiencies and vertical discontinuities. The scope included evaluation of both structural and non-structural elements. Significant seismic retrofit work included new concrete strongback columns to brace the existing fly tower concrete walls.

Corporation Yard

We provided structural design services for a seismic retrofit of an existing building purchased by the University to improve its Earthquake Performance Level from VI to IV as required by the CSU Seismic Requirements for occupancy of an acquired building. The retrofit scope includes a new steel braced frame and new attachments between existing concrete walls and existing wood roof diaphragm.