How do I know if my building needs a seismic retrofit? What are the qualifying factors for a seismic retrofit? Are there specific features to look for in the building structure? Does there have to be structural damage? Does my building need to be near a seismic fault line to need to a seismic retrofit? […]
Several earthquakes have shaken both San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2019, which is a reminder that old building owners need to consider a seismic retrofit solution for California. Not only is California one of the most vulnerable states for seismic activity, many older buildings lack modern design to provide sufficient safety. Here are reasons […]
Although most of Oregon’s thousands of earthquakes over the years have been minor (i.e. under a magnitude of three,) the state has suffered three destructive earthquakes in the past century. Quakes as far away as Seattle can affect buildings in Portland, so seismic retrofit is an important consideration for Oregon building owners. Here are reasons […]
Throughout the years in California, we’ve heard about many large magnitude earthquakes, such as the Northridge quake in 1994. California, of course, isn’t the only state vulnerable to earthquakes. Earthquakes happen in Oregon, Washington, and neighboring states all along the western coast. Although earthquake damage can be devastating, smaller quakes do serve a useful purpose: […]
Many property owners in California have unsafe and outdated soft-story buildings. These buildings often have multiple unsupported openings on the ground floor, which can cause the building to crumble, collapse, or even damage other surrounding buildings. Safety Versus Function Structural engineers and contractors have an important job when it comes to these soft-story buildings. They need to strengthen the […]
Older buildings throughout the state of California are vulnerable to damage from earthquakes. Seismic ordinances at some of the cites dictate earthquake retrofit standards and measures to provide for public safety as well as protection of private property. Is your building in compliance with earthquake safety regulations? As managers and property owners embark on the process of […]
Chances are if you are a commercial property owner–or even a renter for that matter–you’ve been hearing a lot about earthquake retrofitting services over the past few years. When it comes to earthquake retrofitting, the investment is significant. However, it can also be essential for your business. Here are some general questions that we’ve heard […]
If you’ve considered using structural steel contractors for your new project, you might wonder if they can build exactly what you need. One of the biggest reasons people choose metal structures over any other material is their high level of flexibility. These structures are also faster and easier to build, durable, and built to last. […]
California has a high earthquake risk. To minimize damage and death caused by earthquakes, some California cities require seismic retrofitting to older buildings. Los Angeles has the nation’s most stringent regulations in earthquake safety. Seismic retrofitting is now required for both wood-frame soft-story structures and non-ductile concrete buildings. Over the past thirty-odd years, we have […]
Minor cracks in your commercial building’s walls might not seem like anything to worry about, but if left untreated, these small flaws can lead to major structural problems. Structural issues can make your building’s walls less stable and lead to significant challenges, such as rebar rusting, which can cause the concrete to break apart. It can also […]