2008 Issue

www.utahengineerscouncil.org 12 T HE 2008 SESSION OF THE UTAH LEGISLATURE WILL BE MARKED AS THE RETURN OF UTAH’S LEGISLATIVE BODY TO THE UTAH STATE CAPITOL BUILDING. SINCE 2005, THE LEGISLATURE HAS CONVENED INANADJACENT ANNEXBUILDINGWHILE THE CAPITOL Building has undergone a massive seismic renovation and restoration. he primary purpose of this project was to improve the expected seismic performance of the over 90-year-old statehouse, addressing two key issues: Life Safety and Historic Preservation. The Utah State Capitol Building has a structural system comprised primarily of reinforced concrete. The original structural design is rife with deficiencies in consideration of seismic performance. The use of reinforced concrete for such an application was somewhat unprecedented, the majority of such structures in this period being constructed of steel. Though innovative, the design did not directly address potential seismic motion. In fact, the concept of designing structures to resist earthquake forces would not become fully developed for another 50 years. The net result is a structural frame that lacks the reinforcement necessary for satisfactory seismic performance. Furthermore, the Capitol was built very near the known and active Wasatch Fault which could deliver a magnitude 7.0 or larger event at any time. The combination of a seismically deficient structure compounded with the adjacency to a known active fault painted a grim picture of expected seismic performance for the Utah State Capitol Building. The first and most obvious threat for this scenario was clearly in regard to building occupants. Even assuming the structure could perform satisfactorily the occupants would still likely face an obstacle course of falling brick, clay tile, plaster, glass and stone while trying to escape the building. Even more likely was the threat of partial or complete structural collapse. For either case, the threat to life would have been significant with a high likelihood of death and/or injury for many. The second threat would have been the loss of the building itself. The Capitol is the single most significant and valuable building owned by the State of Utah. Its construction came as great sacrifice at a time when the State of Utah did not have an abundant surplus. Neverthe- less, Utah’s forbearers provided a statehouse rivaled only by a select few across the country. The building itself is an architectural marvel. From the monolithic marble columns at the interior to the vast expanse of skylights to the intricate detailing of exterior stone and terra cotta, Utah’s statehouse is graced with countless elaborate and decorative features. Also included are paintings, statuary, plaster castings, stone panels, pediments, parapets, balusters, cornices and so-on. All are Utah State Capitol Building Renovation Project By Jerod G. Johnson, SE, LEED (AP)