UO Huestis Hall Tour

 

The March meeting of the Construction Specifications Institute-Willamette Valley Chapter featured a fascinating tour of the $90 million renovation project in progress at Huestis Hall on the campus of the University of Oregon. While the extensive renovation will result in a comprehensive overhaul of all the building’s major systems—including exterior envelope improvements, removal of barriers to accessibility, M/E/P upgrades, replacement of its elevators, and more—the primary focus of the presentation by Nick Pritchard of Lease Crutcher Lewis (the project’s Construction Manager/General Contractor) was the application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) to address Huestis Hall’s structural deficiencies.
 
Constructed during the early 1970s, Huestis Hall’s brutalist aesthetic imparts a strong, yet simple, presence that is warmed with its brick veneer accents and large expanses of glazing. As was the case with most buildings built in Oregon before 1984, the original design of its lateral force resisting system lacked an awareness of the local seismicity exposure’s magnitude. Without necessary improvements, the 3-story concrete structure would sustain significant damage during a major earthquake. Wishing to secure its long-term future, the University prioritized upgrading Huestis Hall’s ability to resist seismic forces.(1)  
 
Before describing the extensive use of FRP, Nick summarized the overall project scope:

• Targeting of LEED Gold (with aspirations for Platinum)
• Comprehensive demolition of the building interiors down to the structure at the levels above-grade
• Addition of a new west elevator tower
• Thickening and infilling of the existing concrete cores as necessary to supplement the FRP reinforcing
• Tying of the existing concrete cores to the floor diaphragms by means of collector rods
• Construction of a new mechanical penthouse
• Installation of new M/E/P systems
• Restoration of the existing brick
• Window replacement
• Installation of new architectural finishes and laboratory casework
• Site improvements

Once completed sometime during 2024, the University’s Institute of Neuroscience (IoN) home in Huestis Hall will be fully refurbished, seismically safe, and state-of-the-art. It will provide IoN researchers with a supportive work environment that promotes collaboration and enhances their ability to tackle fundamental questions in neuroscience.

 

Installed FRP strips within the existing elevator shaft.

The use of FRP products for seismic reinforcing is common today.(2) FRP is a composite material that typically consists of strong fibers embedded in a resin matrix. The fibers provide strength and stiffness to the composite and generally carry most of the applied loads. The most common fiber types are glass, carbon, or synthetics. They are nonconductive, noncorrosive, and lightweight. Such reinforcement is particularly useful for seismic upgrades because it is relatively easy to install, an important consideration when it comes to retrofitting existing concrete structures that were not originally designed to withstand earthquakes. FRP is applied in the form of strips or sheets, which are bonded to the surface of the concrete using epoxy or other adhesive materials. The FRP resists tensile forces by enhancing the flexural and shear strength of the structure.
 
Overall, FRP materials provide an effective and practical solution for seismic retrofitting and strengthening of buildings. They can significantly enhance the performance of structures during earthquakes, reducing damage and increasing safety.
 
Nick described the process associated with the design, delivery, and installation of the FRP system for Huestis Hall. Though Catena Consulting Engineers furnished the initial design analysis of the existing structure and prepared the basis-of-design drawings. the detailed engineering of the FRP system was a delegated design responsibility, assigned to a specialized subcontractor possessing the requisite expertise. Simpson Strong-Tie is that subcontractor, a vertically integrated, full-solution partner for the FRP composite strengthening systems. Simpson and its subsidiary companies (Structural Technologies and Pullman Services) are providing turnkey, end-to-end services for Huestis Hall, from engineering through installation.

 

View looking up to the underside of the one of the floor structures adjacent to a concrete core to which it will be structurally tied. Collector rods will bridge the original seismic joint separating the components and tie them together once the infilling concrete between the original concrete joists is poured.

As Nick explained, Huestis Hall has presented more than its share of surprises and challenges. The building proved difficult to fully assess and document as record documents were incomplete or unreliable. Every existing penetration through structurally important walls needed to be documented. In one instance, a huge opening accommodating the passage of ductwork and piping existed where it wasn’t expected, triggering an expensive reconfiguration of the HVAC and fire protection systems. The existing elevator had to be removed in its entirety to facilitate the application of the FRP within the concrete shaft, a process that additionally necessitated the cutting of larger openings to facilitate the removal and eventual reinstallation of the elevator. The existing egress stairways barely exceeded the code-minimum width requirements, so Lease Crutcher Lewis is carefully monitoring the addition of the FRP strips to ensure the stairs remain code-compliant. On top of all this, the basement of Huestis Hall is home to a highly vibration and noise-sensitive Zebrafish facility, which is remaining in place and operation throughout the project’s duration.
 
The lessons learned that are applicable to any project involving the use of FRP include the following:

• Plan sequencing of the work very early on.
• Don’t rely entirely upon the design team’s ability to fully capture the scope of demolition necessary to provide access to the concrete surfaces involving FRP reinforcement.
• Carefully inspect all concrete surfaces scheduled to receive FRP; perform investigative demolition as necessary.
• Fully document all existing penetrations.
• Thoroughly analyze the access and control requirements associated with installing FRP in areas of the building occupied during the work.
• Consider how the build-up of materials (FRP, concealing finishes) may encroach upon required egress paths or accessible paths of travel.
• Avoid welding near or on top of the FRP.
• Anticipate temperatures unfavorable to the application of FRP (minimum required temperature is 45 degrees F).

Though costly, the renovation of Huestis Hall—as opposed to its complete demolition and replacement—was the right course of action taken by the University of Oregon. Renovating the building is the eco-friendly option, with fewer environmental impacts than new construction. Viewed through the sustainability lens, the carbon debt incurred will be smaller over Huestis Hall’s remaining (and considerably extended) lifespan.
 
Big thanks to Nick Pritchard for leading such an informative and transparent tour. And kudos too to Kayla Bundy (current WVC/CSI president) and Sydney Mills (president-elect) for arranging yet another successful chapter meeting. I’m looking forward to more!
 
(1)  A team led by my firm, Robertson/Sherwood/Architects, prepared a 2017 renovation feasibility study that provided the basis for the current renovation project. Alas, the University did not select us to subsequently execute the project, instead choosing TVA Architects.
 
(2) I have direct experience with the use of FRP on another seismic upgrade project. In many ways, the Olive Plaza Seismic Upgrade & Exterior Improvements project was similar to the Huestis Hall project. Both jobs involve the use of FRP, but also share in common the challenging logistics associated with the extensive renovation of an existing building.