UCLA FRANZ HALL SEISMIC RETROFIT

July 23, 2019

The Franz Hall Tower Seismic Retrofit project will provide seismic corrections and program improvements for the 123,700sf building, which currently has a Level V seismic performance rating posing a significant risk to faculty, students and staff in the event of an earthquake.

Seismic upgrades are being completed on floors 1 through 6 with complete renovation occurring on floors 1 through 8. The seismic upgrade includes Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) wrap for beam and column strengthening, addition of viscous dampers tied into the existing structure, and concrete strengthening. Upon completion of the work, the seismic rating will be upgraded to Level III.

The full renovation to floors 1 through 8 includes reconfiguration of walls to improve space utilization and functionality; modifications to building systems including fire/life safety upgrades; replacement of ceilings, lighting and finishes; and construction of accessible restrooms and accessibility upgrades. These spaces will house dry research laboratories, faculty and staff offices, graduate student offices, classrooms, meeting rooms and scholarly activity space. MEP upgrades to support the program improvements will occur on the three below-grade levels of the eight-story building.

The construction work is being sequenced in two phases to allow ranges of floors to be occupied during construction. Impacted occupants are being temporarily relocated by the University and updates on construction activities are being communicated to occupants throughout each phase of the project. The basement levels of the tower and the other buildings in the complex shall remain fully operational during construction.

To accommodate vibration and noise sensitive work areas, Rudolph and Sletten has performed testing of all equipment anticipated to be used at different locations throughout the project. An example of an accommodation is the use of a quiet core drill in lieu of roto hammer drill down to 1/4". Some disruptive work is being performed off-hours to minimize impacts to occupants remaining in the building during construction.

The seismic upgrade includes Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) wrap for beam and column strengthening, addition of viscous dampers tied into the existing structure, and concrete strengthening.