Post-Tensioning Repair & Strengthening of Parking Structure

Project Background

Built in 1964, the Baltimore Garage is a 270,000 SF split level button head post-tensioned garage located in Detroit’s New Center neighborhood.

The aging structure showed significant signs of structural degradation as well as the need for architectural improvements. To extend the service life of the structure and ensure long-term structural performance and improved aesthetics, a major restoration was needed. A design build delivery system was selected for repairs to accelerate the schedule and limit budgetary surprises.

PULLMAN and one of our engineer partners, Wiss Janey Elstner Associates (WJE), formed a design build team with STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES to provide structural strengthening and waterproofing repair solutions.

Building a Solution

Investigations revealed severe levels of structural degradation. The project team worked with the owner to prioritize necessary repairs and modify the scope for the budget that was available.

To strengthen the garage’s beams, the team custom designed and fabricated a repair solution that incorporated STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES’ VSL multi-strand external post-tensioning. There were many slabs that also required strengthening, as there were numerous areas where the old buttonhead PT needed to be repaired by replacing/splicing in a new strand. The team also provided concrete and façade repairs, a new traffic bearing membrane, and aesthetic modifications.

Crews worked in phased work zones while the garage remained operational. The garage was restored in less than a year despite the phased approach. The customer now has a more aesthetically pleasing safe garage that meets current codes and has an extended service life.