Seismic Bracing Design For Nonstructural Systems
VIE develops custom designs for seismic bracing of nonstructural systems for each project. We have designed seismic bracing for over 500 facilities. Our goal is to provide the most cost-effective, code-compliant bracing systems possible. We design each project to make brace installation easier to install, and thereby, reduce installation labor costs.
What we do (and not do) and why:
- VIE does not use simplified, overly conservative design procedures. We compute actual loads and take into account dynamic properties of suspended utility systems. This typically results in 30% or more reduction in seismic brace locations when compared to simplified design procedures used by other seismic bracing companies. Fewer brace locations reduces seismic bracing component costs, and perhaps more importantly also reduces contractor labor costs for brace installation.
- VIE does not use just one bracing manufacturer. We consider multiple manufacturers to meet client preferences and to reduce costs.
- VIE does not use junior engineers or drafting personnel to do brace layouts. VIE only uses senior licensed engineers to develop brace layouts. This results in a more economical design and fewer brace locations.
- VIE does not have layers of overhead personnel assigned to any project – just the engineers doing the work.
VIE’s engineering staff have over 40 years of experience designing code-compliant seismic bracing and seismic restraint systems to safeguard against damage and assure functionality while being economically feasible. This experience has included seismic restraint design for data centers, hospitals, educational facilities, government and military faculties, low rise to high rise office and residential buildings, water treatment facilities, power plants, industrial facilities and more.
VIE engineers have served as the design engineer of record, seismic bracing procurement and supply entity, and seismic bracing installation contractor. VIE has completed seismic bracing design, equipment seismic restraint design, and seismic equipment support/bracing design numerous aspects projects, with a total construction values exceeding $10 billion just within the past 5 years alone.
About Seismic Bracing
The International Building Code (IBC) requires seismic bracing of nonstructural components for all buildings and structures in regions with moderate to high seismic activity. The American Society of Structural Engineers (Design Standard ASCE-7) states that seismic bracing is essential in order to enhance building safety during seismic events.
Building code revisions have steadily improved building structural performance during seismic events. On the other hand, earthquake investigations have repeatedly shown that most earthquake damage in modern facilities occurs to nonstructural systems, rather than the building structures themselves.
“Nonstructural” systems include: electrical systems, plumbing, mechanical, and process piping, mechanical ductwork, electrical and mechanical equipment, process equipment, computer equipment, ceilings, walls, and other nonstructural elements. Earthquake damage to MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) systems can result in prolonged facility down time following seismic events. Inadequate seismic bracing can also result in fires, process equipment damage, hazardous material leakage, flooding, and other hazards if seismic supports fail.
Innovation For Nonstructural Systems
VIE’s Principal Engineer (Mr. Masek, MS, PE, SE) has developed innovative techniques for substantially reducing the number and sizes of seismic bracing. Mr. Masek has served on the ASCE 7 code committee, which is the committee that develops the national building codes found in the International Building Code and in ASCE 7.
Effective seismic design necessitates practical understanding of seismicity and structural and nonstructural responses. VIE utilizes first-hand experience from investigating the aftermath of numerous natural disasters including recent earthquakes in California, Washington, Nevada, Utah, and Guam.
VIE’s seismic designs go beyond just simply meeting code requirements. We ensure each and every one of our clients receives cutting-edge work. We strive to provide the least cost, most technically effective seismic bracing designs. Our seismic bracing solutions improve the safety of structure, reduce seismic damage, and limit downtime following a seismic event. Our project-specific designs for MEP systems provide significantly enhanced value compared to using static design methods.
Seismic Bracing Design Projects
Representative projects have included:
- The Salt Lake City Airport Terminal Replacement Project. VIE has been providing seismic bracing design and equipment anchorage design serves on the $4.5 Billion project continuously from 2017 to the present.
- The NSA Utah Data Center.
- Data Centers for Facebook, eBay, Amazon, Databank, and Others
- Numerous education and medical buildings at the University of Utah.
- Post-secondary educational facilities at the University of Utah, Utah State University, and Dixie College in Saint George, Utah.
- Multiple buildings for the University of Utah Medical Center.
- Several university student housing facilities.
- Multiple wells, water treatment plants, and process facilities for the Weber Basin Water District.
- Two treatment facilities for the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District.
- Water treatment plants and water pumping facilities for the Central Utah Water Conservancy District.
- The $1.5 Billion City Center Mall in Salt Lake City.
- The Worthington Tower (SLC, UT) (31 Stories) and the Astra Tower (39 Stories)
- The Eccles Performing Arts Center
- The DOE Uranium Enrichment Facility Portsmouth, OH
- Multiple K-12 Facilities in Several West States
- Multiple Higher Education Facilities in Several Western States
- Refineries in Java, Indonesia
- Naval Weapons Facilities
- Approximately 40 Water Treatment Facility Projects
- Power Plants up to 2,200 MW
In total, VIE has developed seismic bracing design and equipment anchorage drawings for over five hundred projects. Many of these projects have included multiple buildings within the same overall project.