Shear Walls - Overview
While Shotcrete is not a conventional construction solution for shear walls, Superior has been at the forefront of its recently gained acceptance. As a shear wall solution, Shotcrete is a great example of a value engineered system. Superior has been instrumental in developing the methods, techniques and processes to make Shotcrete a welcome cost saving alternative for shear wall construction.
Not just any company has the capability to offer this cost saving alternative. Over the years our innovative spirit and dedication to cutting edge methods has led us to assemble highly skilled teams and customized equipment to deliver a viable 1-sided Shotcrete wall application in lieu of CIP. Even with the heavily congested rebar required for shear walls, our highly skilled nozzle men working with our equipment are able to achieve the required consolidation for both subterranean and above grade walls.
This innovative solution has great potential for cost savings on several levels. First the elimination of 2-sided forms reduces costs up front. Second, the streamlining of required forms shortens the schedule. Finally, our customers typically experience a substantial reduction in the inspection fees due to the abbreviated process.
Eschelon Hotel & Casino: Las Vegas, Nevada
The unconventional use of Shotcrete to construct the shear walls on this project was an ambitious undertaking. Clark County had never before approved Shotcrete for an application of this type. After shooting test panels to prove the application, Superior won the approval of the County to go forward with its methods. Our highly skilled crews used Superior's innovative techniques to construct 30 feet high and 30-inch thick shear walls with 3' by 3' integral columns. In only 8 days, Superior shot 932 cubic yards of the 1-sided formed shear walls.
Grossmont Trolley Court Apartments: La Mesa, California
Grossmont Trolley Court is an award-winning transit oriented development project that has been planned around San Diego's transit center at Grossmont. Superior played a role in this impressive development by constructing the perimeter and interior walls, including shear walls for the beautiful Pravada and Alterra apartment complexes. Each building consists of 2 levels of parking and 3 levels of residential units. Superior shot a total of 90,000 square feet of Shotcrete, installing 3,000 cubic yards against a 1-sided forming system in lieu of CIP.
The Red Building: West Hollywood, California
Superior's contribution to this project was a cutting edge application of high strength concrete shear walls using our Shotcrete placement techniques to construct a seven level parking structure at the Pacific Design Center. Superior brought its expertise in Shotcrete shear wall fabrication using 6000 and 8000 psi to construct single side formed walls from 12 inches to 30 inches in thickness with a floor to deck sequence.
Completing the colorful and iconic trilogy of structures at the Pacific Design Center, this impressive red glass clad structure was designed by internationally acclaimed architect Cesar Pelli and is the first of its kind in the world.
Superior was honored to participate in the construction of this celebrated world-class structure by bringing our cost and time saving expertise in Shotcrete shear wall fabrication. We brought additional value to the project by installing Shotcrete site walls, perimeter walls and ramp walls.
USC School of Cinematic Arts: Los Angeles, California
When the oldest and largest film school in the United States embarks on a huge expansion of their facilities, with a $175 million starting donation from the Lucasfilm Foundation and further donations from Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, and The Walt Disney Company, the production is expected to be no less than extraordinary. The challenge to meet the exacting requirements of this high profile production was particularly suited for Superior. This is exactly the type of project that gives us the opportunity to add value by bringing our unique capabilities and innovations to the mix.
The expansion consists of 6 buildings in 2 phases that are providing film and media labs, screening rooms, mix stages, theatres, classrooms and office space. The first phase was completed in March of 2009 and consisted of 2 buildings for which Superior constructed the non-conventional shear walls, installing 85,000 square feet and placing 4,000 cubic yards of Shotcrete. We have already repeated our 1-sided application in lieu of CIP for the shear wall construction in 2 of the structures in the second phase. In only 7 weeks we installed 40,000 square feet and 1,500 cubic yards of Shotcrete. As a testament to our resources, Superior formed, installed scaffolding and rebar, shot, cleaned up, stripped down forms and was out the door in 7 weeks.
Superior consistently meets the most demanding of construction challenges and brings value to each and every project we undertake.
Plaza Del Cultura y Arte: Los Angeles, California
This challenging historical restoration in downtown Los Angeles required a host of innovative techniques to preserve the brick and mortar exterior of this old building while providing the necessary seismic and code upgrades. The solution was essentially to build a new building within the old. A member of our Family of Companies served as the general contactor on this project and Superior brought its expertise and the Shotcrete Advantage to this difficult restoration. A new foundation was constructed within the old using micro piles and specially engineered rebar systems. Two-level foundation walls and 5 stories of above ground walls were constructed with structural steel being placed on all 7 levels. Superior then applied Shotcrete to all 7 levels. Shotcrete was the perfect cost saving and time saving alternative to conventional CIP.
This beautiful historical brick building still stands, almost as a cosmetic wall paper around the structurally to code building within.
Plaza del Cultura y Arte serves as an example of Superior's commitment to safety and to green building practices. Although a tremendous amount of scaffolding was required for this sensitive project, there were no injuries. Superior's safety program again performed at its best. Additionally, this project highlights the ecological benefits of using advanced innovative building methods to preserve rather than demolish, keeping many tons of construction waste out of our landfills.
