In this historic retrofit, the structural engineer who had completed the initial study recommended the introduction of several moment frames into the building and the addition of plywood for shear at the exterior walls and the floors.

However, careful analysis of the existing structure allowed us to eliminate the additional shear plywood at the exterior walls and the floor, and instead use tube steel supports at one end of the building and use interior walls for shear. This meant that modifications to millwork were unnecessary and the historic tongue and groove decking floor was able to be left exposed – and the owners were saved the cost of the moment frames.

Estimated savings: $80,000-$100,000