Construction Cost: TBD

Square Feet: TBD

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Structural Principal: Stuart Smith

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Services Provided: Structural

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Schmidt Consulting Group provided structural evaluation services to support the renovation of two existing, cast-in-place concrete buildings located in the VA Biloxi Medical Center campus in Biloxi, MS. The buildings were constructed in 1931 and are on the National Historic Register. The purpose of the analysis was to evaluate the capacity of the existing structures to support the loads imposed by the renovations. 

 

STRUCTURAL

Building I is five stories with planned renovations on the third, fourth, and fifth floors. The first and second floors will remain occupied during the renovation. Renovation will involve removal of existing partitions and re-classification of some spaces.  Building 1 was upgraded in 1983 to increase its lateral load carrying strength.

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Building II is three stories with planned renovations on all floors. Renovation will involve removal of existing partitions and re-classification of the spaces.  Information on existing drawings included renovations in the 1980’s, which showed concrete roof deck on steel beams for the roof structure and topping on the porch areas.

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The structures were analyzed using current IBC Live Loads associated with the new architectural floor plan combined with current wind load per ASCE 7.  RAM Structural Systems (RAM), a 3D structural engineering software package in which slabs, beams, columns and foundations can be modeled and analyzed, was used and supplemented with hand calculations.  The load demand versus capacity was evaluated and all load demand to capacity deficiencies were reported.  Concrete and material strengths used in the analysis were derived through testing and approved by the VA. 

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Following negotiation with the VA, floor loading was adapted to mirror IBC loads in order to reduce floor live loads going into the structure as indicated in the RFP. Material testing was conducted to provide more accurate concrete and steel strengths for analysis. The combination of lower floor live loads and increased material strengths resulted in majority of the floor structure in both buildings being deemed as adequate.Recommendations for a method of reinforcement for areas with insufficient capacity were made.