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INSTRUCTORS:
Richard Guenter, P.E., S.E.
Sungje Chi, P.E.
Kirsten Grant, P.E.
Brock Gaspar, P.E.
Course Length: 1 hour
Purpose and Background
These presentations were recorded at the 2024 Geo-Structures Conference.
City Ridge Roadside Development in Washington D.C. (14 minutes)
This presentation highlights the intricate structural challenges faced during the City Ridge project, which transformed the former Fannie Mae headquarters into a historic landmark surrounded by an urban village. The project involved lowering the grade by eight feet to accommodate a grocery store, installing deep foundations for new structures, and supporting the historic building with steel-cased micropiles and brace frames. With over 380 micropiles and complex load transfer systems, the team managed strict settlement requirements while preserving the masonry structure. Advanced monitoring systems and innovative SOE (Support of Excavation) designs ensured safety and stability throughout the project.
Shoring of Historic Site in U.S. Capital Washington, D.C. (16 minutes)
Focusing on the Milken Center, this presentation detailed the shoring efforts for a historic building located near the White House. The project involved lowering the basement by up to 20 feet while preserving the 120-year-old structure. The team designed a complex system using needle beams, transfer beams, and micropiles to support the building. Preloading techniques ensured minimal movement of the brittle masonry walls, while meticulous monitoring prevented damage.
Optimized SOE and Underpinning Systems at Historic Courthouse Site (20 minutes)
This session explored the innovative solutions used at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Pennsylvania. The project involved supporting a new justice center adjacent to a historic courthouse. Using historical drawings, the team optimized the design by reducing earth pressures and utilizing existing structures. The work included rock bolts, micropile-supported SOE, and shotcrete facing to stabilize the site. Challenges such as unexpected geotechnical conditions were addressed through adaptive load testing and design adjustments. The collaboration between engineers and contractors ensured the protection of historic structures while achieving project goals.
Deflection-Based Design and Construction to Control Movement of Adjacent Michigan State Capitol Building (18 minutes)
This presentation discussed the planning and execution of a deflection-based design to construct a visitor center adjacent to the Michigan State Capitol. To prevent movement in the 150-year-old brick structure, the team implemented a secant wall system with tiebacks and shotcrete infill. Strict settlement and vibration criteria guided the project, with comprehensive monitoring systems validating design assumptions. Seasonal temperature variations added complexity, but careful data interpretation and stakeholder communication ensured the Capitol’s stability throughout the construction. This project exemplifies precision engineering and risk mitigation in sensitive environments.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of these sessions, you will be able to:
- Describe the role of steel-cased micropiles in supporting the structure during excavation.
- Explain the approach to preserving the structural integrity of a historic building during basement excavation.
- Identify the benefits of using historical construction data to optimize excavation designs.
- Discuss the measures taken to limit movement and protect a historical building during adjacent construction.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are assessed and achieved through passing a 10 multiple choice question post-test with at least a 70%.
Who Should Attend?
- Environmental Engineers
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Structural Engineers
- Construction Engineers
- Project Managers
- General Contractors
How to Earn your PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
This course is worth 0.1CEU/1 PDH. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course purchase.
How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?
1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]