Behan Builders has proudly served San Francisco for many years, and we understand the critical importance of earthquake retrofitting, seismic engineering, and soft story retrofits. As locals, we know that our city is prone to seismic activity, and it’s vital to ensure your building is prepared to withstand potential earthquakes, whether sudden or over time.
What is Seismic Retrofitting?
A seismic retrofit involves adding structural enhancements to a building to improve its ability to resist seismic forces. These enhancements may include securing equipment with straps or installing more complex structural anchors and roofing modifications to keep your property and its contents safe.
Types of Buildings That Need Seismic Retrofitting
You can perform seismic retrofitting on a variety of building types, including:
- Un-Reinforced Masonry
- Concrete Masonry Units
- Soft Story Construction (Tuck-Under Parking)
- Concrete Tilt-Up Buildings
Seismic Retrofit for Concrete Tilt-Up Buildings
The primary concern in concrete tilt-up buildings is preventing the roof, mezzanine, or second floor from separating from the perimeter walls during an earthquake. These buildings need reinforcing due to the heavy weight of the concrete tilt-up walls, which exert significant force when they move during seismic activity.
The most common retrofit solutions for these buildings include:
- Adding roof-to-wall anchors.
- Continuity ties.
- Strengthening key structural connections that may have been inadequate in older buildings.
When to Consider a Seismic Retrofit
Buildings constructed before 1985 should undergo seismic vulnerability assessments, and those built before 1975 likely need retrofitting.
Why Choose Behan Builders for Your Seismic Retrofit?
At Behan Builders, we provide complete seismic retrofitting services, housing structural engineers, and retrofit labor under one roof. We also coordinate with the city’s retrofit program, ensuring compliance and your safety throughout the process.
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For more information, give us a call today at (415) 218-9270