Sands Bethlehem Casino Self Park Garage

Sands Bethlehem Casino Self Park Garage

Sands Bethlehem Casino Self Park Garage

  • Post-tensioning investigation and design-build repair services
  • Specific phasing sequence to allow traffic flow while under construction
  • Nearly 6,000 manhours of incident-free work
Location
Bethlehem, PA
Project Team
  • Engineer of Record:
    O&S Associates and STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES
  • Material Suppliers:
    TB Philly and VSL

Pennsylvania’s premier casino and resort, the Wind Creek Bethlehem (formerly known as the Sands Bethlehem Casino) is one of 10 properties in the United States and the Caribbean that provides world-class entertainment, dining, hotel stays, amenities, and recreation. The self-park garage serves visitors as far as Philadelphia, Northern New Jersey, and New York City.

PULLMAN executed an emergency repair solution after a post-tensioning anchor showed signs of aging on the top deck of the seven-story, 1,400,000 sf garage. O&M Associates and PULLMAN were contracted to perform repairs to the structure utilizing an Investigate-Design-Build (IDB) approach, while STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES acted as a project consultant. PULLMAN assisted the Engineer of Record with performing an inspection of the garage. Crews performed non-destructive and destructive testing, taking core samples for chloride testing. The investigation identified several areas of the structure that required repair or that would require it in the future. The team repaired 100 end anchor locations. VSL supplied all post-tensioning materials and hardware for the repair work.

Additional scope of work included providing a shoring design, post-tensioning repairs, sealants, and replacing winged expansion joints. In addition, crews installed approximately 20,000 sf of deck coatings to protect the exposed concrete decking. Work was completed in 20 phases to allow the garage to remain open during construction.

Sequencing the post-tension repairs based on severity became a major challenge. Work was limited to the first floor and phasing required two levels underneath the construction area to be shored. This was so work could continue for a set number of post-tensioning tendons in each phase corresponding with shoring. The garage remained active, and the team established phasing drawings for each sequence of the project.

With our team’s post-tensioning repair expertise and design support, we were able to make necessary improvements and recommend future maintenance procedures. The project was completed under budget and ahead of schedule, allowing full access to visitors just in time for the busy summer season.