High-Tech Isolation

by Peter L. Lee, (M.ASCE), Sr. Engr.; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, San Francisco, CA,
Aaron Mazeika, P.E., Proj. Engr.; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, San Francisco, CA,
Joseph Xu, P.E., Proj. Engr.; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, San Francisco, CA,
Anoop Mokha, Vice President; Earthquake Protection Systems, Inc., Richmond, CA,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 2001, Vol. 71, Issue 5, Pg. 66-71


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

In the fast-paced world of telecommunications, the time to market is often the deciding factor in the success of an enterprise. With that thought in mind, AboveNet Communications, Inc., commissioned Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) to design and oversee the construction of a new optical internet infrastructure facility in San Francisco. The retrofit of an abandoned concrete warehouse began in February 2000, construction began in July, commissioning of the building support systems began in December, and the first client moved into the building in March 2001. The facility, which contains 98 friction pendulum isolation bearings between the first-level floor slab and the basement columns, is designed to remain operational following an area's maximum capable earthquake.

Subject Headings: Infrastructure construction | Building systems | Building design | Storage facilities | Slabs | Seismic design | Rehabilitation

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