Seismic Rehabilitation
BACKGROUND TO REHABILITATION PROJECT
A former state government office, The Kerr-Edmondson Office Complex, is being converted into a 58-bed Veteran's Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The $176.3 million project is run by VHiT LLC, a nonprofit organization created to run the development and construction of the hospital.
Once complete the 239,000sqft facility will be called The James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center and will honor the late Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, who was an ardent supporter of U.S. men and women in uniform and a supporter of this new hospital.
Before the building could be converted, engineers identified that the structure required seismic rehabilitation to comply with Federal Regulations to operate as a VA Hospital.
The Fyfe Certified Applicator was selected to install the LOCTITE Tyfo Systems by the general contractor, Crossland Construction.
Before work could start, extensive modifications to the building geometry were required to provide a surface conducive to FRP application. Several ramps had to be created to confine beam elements with existing steps along their faces. Contractors used GeoTree Solutions’ GeoStrong Repair Mortar for this task - a product that exceeded the compression strength and adhesion strength requirements. It also cures faster than standard repair mortar materials. This led to the proper and expedited installation of the LOCTITE Tyfo SCH Systems, meeting project requirements and accelerating the project schedule.
SUMMARY
- Application: Former government building being converted to a Veterans' Hospital
- Location: Tulsa, OK
The project included column hinge confinement and beam confinement, and strengthening with LOCTITE Tyfo SCH Systems, and LOCTITE Tyfo SCH Composite Anchors installed for beam confinement.
The applicators had to overcome a range of challenges. Despite being an indoor application, the building did not have any windows during construction and was open to the elements. Rain would blow into the building and pool near recently installed FRP, causing delays. The work took place during the winter and the contractors had to collaborate to ensure it was warm enough for the LOCTITE Tyfo S epoxy to reach full cure.
The seismic strengthening aspect of the project took approximately five months to complete, and the entire project is due to be fully completed in 2026.
