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PROGRESSIVE COLLAPSE |
WAI’s engineers have completed many types of blast assessments. While the most commonly performed assessment for the GSA is a glazing hazard assessment, some government clients as well as private industry clients also request non-glazing blast assessments to evaluate the façade (non-glazing elements) response to dynamic blast loads or evaluate the structural response of key structural elements. This structural response assessment is different from the Progressive Collapse Assessment discussed below. The Blast Assessment of structural elements includes the assessment of the response of columns, beams, slabs or walls to specific threats which might not be associated with the Progressive Collapse assessment but might protect the occupied space or key assets of the facility. WAI’s blast engineers have extensive experience with STANDGARD, WINGARD and the other GSA, DoD, and DoS software tools, having regularly used them on blast-related projects. In addition, WAI has developed a series of specialized computer codes for blast analysis. The firm has made significant contributions by developing advanced analytical and computational techniques. WAI specialized computer codes (FLEX, EPSA) and programs (WASLAB, WABEAM, WABIBS) are currently used by numerous government agencies. WAI has provided engineering services to federal agencies in the
form of research, analysis and design. This began with the renown
HUD The Blast Assessment effort begins with a confirmation of the Scope of Work to ensure that the engineers and the client are in agreement on the objectives, level of effort and deliverables. The work effort includes a review of applicable drawings of the subject building and site; a site visit to examine the facility’s design and attributes; meetings with the local representatives; and the collection of all available data through non-destructive means to perform the assessment. The result of the study includes confirmation or definition of credible threats, defining vulnerabilities of the facility and/or specific target elements and conceptual hazard mitigation designs. The level of effort, number of threat scenarios and potential solutions are defined by the client through the Scope of Work. The initial effort concludes with a written report submitted to the client. Follow-up efforts would include further development of the hazard mitigation solution through Construction Documents and Construction Administration. We look forward to using our knowledge, experience and technical capabilities to assist federal agencies in identifying vulnerabilities and establishing mitigation strategies to protect their facilities. |
Headquarter
Building in Washington, DC—designed by Marcel Breuer in 1969—through
recent GSA-sponsored research efforts on progressive collapse analysis
as well as current design support on key federal courthouses and
office buildings. WAI has completed over 300 blast evaluations and
upgrades of various facilities, this includes more than 50 GSA projects
completed in the past two years. Some of these projects were part
of a single building evaluation and renovation contract such as
the Emanual Celler US Courthouse in Brooklyn, NY. Other projects
were part of an indefinite quantity contract with the GSA (21 buildings),
Federal Reserve banks (four buildings), and Veterans Affairs (35
buildings).
