Crsi Examines Seismic Zone Building Practice

Expanding its Spotlight Series, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute has released an eight-page brochure featuring the new 600,000-sq.-ft. San Francisco

Expanding its Spotlight Series, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute has released an eight-page brochure featuring the new 600,000-sq.-ft. San Francisco Federal Building, projected to cost $145 million. After a July 2002 ground-breaking, construction through 2005 saw seismic accommodations and security for the 430,000-sq.-ft. high-rise structure and four-story, 118,511-sq.-ft. annex.

A mere 65 feet wide, the structure was built with conventional reinforced concrete. Concrete shear wall strength helps meet local seismic specifications for the narrow tower footprint. As concrete’s thermal mass reduces HVAC requirements, natural ventilation will be used to cool approximately 70 percent of the building. In combination with the thermal mass, remote-controlled fa¡ade elements and cooler evening air will facilitate temperature control as concrete cooled at night helps moderate temperatures during the day. Designed to reduce energy costs by 45-50 percent, the building is expected to tally $500,000 per year in energy savings.

The brochure provides information regarding energy-efficient design, concrete advantages, uses of reinforcing bar, seismic needs, and an outline of criteria Û used for the Federal Building and other California jobs Û that integrates design, engineering and functionality. Additional information or a copy of brochure can be obtained by contacting John Prentice, Director of Marketing, CRSI, 933 N. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg, Ill. 60173-4758; 847/517-1200; [email protected].