Sacramento, CA

General Services Administration, John E. Moss Federal Building

Scope/Solutions

The John E. Moss building is an eight story, federal office building in Sacramento, California.  As part of facade renovation project, SGH designed structural and blast upgrades for windows and exterior walls.

SGH performed analyses in accordance with the General Services Administration (GSA) guidelines for blast-resistant design of federal buildings.  We designed structural strengthening to bring the building up to GSA Service Level 3a for Level C loading.

Our glazing analysis included predicting glass breakage and hazard indexes created by glass breakage.  We investigated numerous window sizes at various distances from the selected detonation locations.  SGH recommended means to enhance the performance of the glazing to reduce the hazards to levels acceptable under the GSA guidelines.

We also analyzed the window support system to determine whether it could support window reactions and the direct application of blast impulses.  SGH performed materials testing to determine strength of the existing aluminum alloy mullion system and performed a nonlinear time history analyses to evaluate adequacy of existing mullions.  For those window support components that could not support the reactions within acceptable deformation limits, we developed reinforcement concepts to reduce deflections and maintain appropriate levels of ductility in the wall framing system.

Project Summary

completion-date

2002

Completion Date
Solutions
Repair & Rehabilitation
Services
Structures | Building Enclosures | Performance & Code Consulting
Markets
Government
Client(s)
Gensler Architecture Design & Planning
Specialized Capabilities
Repair & Strengthening | Facades & Glazing | Risk & Resilience Assessment

Key team members

Ronald Hamburger
Ronald Hamburger
Consulting Principal