UHS Ground Level Column Reinforcement and Fire Protection
Column carbon fiber and fire-protection coordination shaped by an eight-foot corridor-clearance requirement.
Delta Structural Technology completed the UHS column reinforcement and fire-protection project at the Women’s and Children’s Tower. The scope concerned a ground-level column that had been cut back beside a corridor. Carbon fiber strengthening and a compatible fire-protection approach had to be considered together because the corridor’s required clear width limited the thickness available for the finished repair.
- Market
- Healthcare
- Services
- CFRP column strengthening and fire-protection coordination
- Location
- San Antonio, Texas
- Structural members
- Concrete Column Strengthening
Project challenge
The column had been cut down to maintain an eight-foot corridor clearance. Adding reinforcement and fire protection could not disregard the same constraint that prompted the modification. The engineering challenge therefore combined structural strengthening, fire-protection compatibility and the dimensional requirements of the adjacent circulation space.
Project approach
Delta developed its carbon fiber submittal in response to the column condition and the structural engineer’s RFI response. The team also investigated a thin fire-protection approach compatible with the composite wrap. The design coordination considered the complete build-up around the column, including how an additional protective treatment would affect the corridor. The objective was to resolve the structural and protective requirements without introducing an incompatible finish over the reinforcement.
Delivery and coordination
The contractor team authorized preparation of submittals and procurement while the additional fire-protection scope was being resolved. Architect and engineer approval was required before application. Coordination included J.E. Dunn and Joeris project participants and focused on the ground-level column at the identified grid intersection. The separate reinforcement and fire-protection questions were handled as connected parts of one column repair.
Project significance
This project illustrates a strengthening condition governed by available clearance as well as structural demand. Its distinctive feature is the need to reconcile carbon fiber reinforcement with compatible fire protection beside a constrained corridor. The case highlights why the total repair thickness belongs in the design discussion from the outset.
