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The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) chose the site of the former Charleston High School, built in 1921, for the new home of its College of Health Professions complex. This project was unique as MUSC elected to incorporate the existing historic brick façade into the new development. The construction of the new complex included demolition and replacement of the existing structure, minus the façade, and building a parking garage and an additional office building.
WPC received an Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies in South Carolina (ACEC) for the accomplishments of this project.
The geotechnical investigation for the site was performed by WPC. Responsibilities included evaluating the subsurface conditions with respect to the proposed construction. Due to the high seismicity of the Charleston, South Carolina area, a liquefaction potential analysis for the site was also performed. Because the project was located within the heart of Charleston’s historic district as well as being adjacent to the MUSC hospital, WPC also performed a pre-condition survey of the adjacent residential and commercial buildings.
WPC had an active role during the design and construction phase of the project providing multiple deep foundation options. By performing in-depth testing of the initial piles, WPC was able to redesign and shorten the pile lengths. The initial testing allowed WPC to verify that vibrations would be minimal. When concerns arose regarding the potential vibrations from pile driving, WPC worked closely with the contractor to develop driving criteria that would reduce the vibrations.
During construction, WPC performed production pile installation monitoring where the installation of driven piles (some in excess of 100 feet) was within three feet of the un-reinforced brick masonry frame. The pre-condition survey of the surrounding properties performed by WPC prior to pile driving, and the monitoring of vibrations and existing building cracks also performed by WPC during pile installation formed the documentation that proved that the vibrations did not damage the nearby structures.
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