PROJECT OVERVIEW

A nine-story mixed-use building was converted to a total–precast concrete structure. By using 69-foot-long Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) beams, interior columns were eliminated, allowing open sightlines, more rentable space, and the ability for adaptive reuse in the future.

Read more about this project in the Fall 2023 issue of Ascent.

PRECAST SOLUTION

UHPC has been around for more than 30 years, but the prohibitive cost of proprietary blends kept it from widespread adoption. With the completion of research and development sponsored by PCI, this material, with its extremely high tensile strength and durability as well as compressive strengths over 17,000 psi, is finally being used. Unlike self-consolidating concrete, which was introduced in the 1980s and enabled manufacturers to produce precast concrete more efficiently, this technology can transfer value directly to the owner.

Architect

Koch Hazard Architects

Owner

Lloyd Companies

Contractor

Lloyd Companies

Structural Engineer

eConstruct USA

Precast Concrete Producer

Gage Brothers

PCI-Certified Specialty Engineer

eConstruct USA

Key Project Attributes

• While office construction is a risky venture in some parts of the country, with pressure from remote work and high vacancies in older properties, the Steel District Class A space has the location and the amenities to be well-positioned.
• Precast concrete insulated panels with embedded thin brick in a rich dark brown color were selected to complement the riverfront district.
• The build-out customized each floor to suit the needs of the tenant. The project team were deliberate in their use of UHPC only where needed to make the system work.

Project/Precast Scope

• UHPC components are 69-foot box beams like those found in bridge design. The difference is that a conventional beam weighs 44 tons, compared with 19 tons for a UHPC beam.
• Out of almost 3000 pieces of precast concrete assembled for this structure, only 86 are UHPC beams, and the rest are traditional precast concrete.
• UHPC allowed spans of 69 feet across the building and removing all interior columns.