Project Overview

• Successfully restored structural capacity of school housing building
• Project completed on schedule and on budget despite change in scope

Union on Plum is a five-story student housing building featuring 62 units and a total of 229 bedrooms. The property includes a six-tier parking garage and offers a range of amenities designed to enhance student life.

A significant design error was discovered in the shear walls, leading to the closure of the structure due to safety concerns. The building’s lateral load system was found to be under-designed by more than three times its required capacity.

STRUCTURAL was contracted to repair and restore the building’s structural integrity. The project involved replacing sheetrock with plywood-reinforced walls, installing pile caps, modifying post-tension strands, and adding four new steel support members. The team worked to ensure minimal disruption to the campus and its students, adhering to the City’s noise ordinance requirements.

As the project progressed, the scope was expanded when more shoring was needed than originally anticipated. Despite the Owner’s request for an expedited timeline, STRUCTURAL efficiently reinforced the building to restore its safety and resume student occupancy. This was achieved through a carefully planned phased approach.