Rainier Square Tower's Composite Steel Frame Called a Game-Changer
Rainier Square Tower needs a system of outrigger trusses to reduce its sway.
Conceptual graphic courtesy MKA
East-face setbacks of Rainier Square Tower lessen visual impact on adjacent Rainier Tower.
Rendering courtesy NBBJ
The steel erector predicts the new system will take 40% less time to erect than it would to build a superstructure with a leading concrete core surrounded by a steel frame.
Conceptual graphics courtesy MKA
The plan is to stack and field-weld the steel modules. When the erector finishes four levels, crews will add concrete.
Conceptual graphic courtesy LCL
In an ongoing load-test program, the performance of the sandwich modules, with different tie-bar spacings, has exceeded initial expectations so far.
Photo and conceptual graphics courtesy AISC
The first of two full-scale mock-ups, conventionally plywood-formed and stripped, helped the contractor to work out details for casting the steel sandwich modules’ self-consolidating concrete infill.
Photo courtesy MKA
The first of two full-scale mock-ups, conventionally plywood-formed and stripped, helped the contractor to work out details for casting the steel sandwich modules’ self-consolidating concrete infill.
Photo courtesy LCL
Special shoring is going in beside Rainier Tower—monitored for settlement.
Photo by Scott Blair
Special shoring is going in beside Rainier Tower—monitored for settlement.
Photo courtesy LCL
A team in earthquake-prone Seattle is daring to deliver an 850-ft-tall “proof of concept” for a composite structural-steel frame, instead of a steel frame around a reinforced concrete core. For the players, it’s not just about eliminating concrete’s bedeviling rebar congestion and potentially dangerous jump forms. And it’s not just about keeping ironworkers and concrete casters out of each other’s hair.
The team gearing up for the $570-million Rainier Square Tower is immediately motivated by the prospect of slashing 40% off the time required to build a standard steel frame with a concrete core. The overarching aim, however, is to usher in an era of speedier, safer and better office-tower construction—everywhere.
Click here to read the full story on ENR.com.
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