The Harbor Drive site is quiet after the discovery of structural deficiencies. Construction is suspended until February 5th and the library opening delayed one month, for early November 2015. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
The expansion of Kettleson Memorial Library was put to a halt last Monday, after a local engineer raised serious questions about the structural integrity of the new building.
“You don’t normally run into major design issues like this,” said City Engineer Dan Tadic. “There’s always going to be something minor that crops up here or there. But something of this magnitude is just…the best word I can come with is ‘disappointing.'”
Tadic said the project will resume on February 5th, once new steel parts arrive. The problem lies in the original design plan, specifically the steel components that held up the new building.
Of major concern to the project team were the steel parts and connections that supported the new building. Three and a half tons of new steel parts have been ordered from Washington state. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
“The truss as it was designed was essentially breaking down into it’s more simple components, said Tadic. “It perhaps could have failed under a snow load or wind load scenario.”
The issue was first noticed by Ryan Wilson, a local structural engineer hired by Dawson Construction to review the plans for the library. Wilson discovered the design flaws in November, prompting a stop to the project and a review of the plans. “It was fortuitous that Ryan Wilson was able to catch this because the results could have been pretty catastrophic the other way.”
The structural engineering firm on the project ordered 3.5 tons in brand new steel parts. Once these parts arrive, Tadic estimated that 40-50% of the new building will be reworked. The changes are skeletal ones and Tadic does not expect the aesthetic of the design to be changed.
The structural engineering subcontractor, PDC Engineers of Anchorage, along with Juneau architectural firm MRV, will assume the cost of the alterations. A figure is not yet finalized, but estimated at $200,000.
Tadic told KCAW’s Emily Kwong that he appreciated the efforts of Dawson Construction to keep the project moving, and that as a father of two, the wait will be worth it.
DT: The building is going to look beautiful just looking at the plans. Great children’s space, teen areas, the picture windows you have looking out to the channel there…looking forward to taking the kiddos there when it’s completed.
EK: And a safe building.
DT: Yes, that’s a key part of it! I certainly wouldn’t bring my kids into it otherwise.
In an e-mail, Public Works Director Michael Harmon said that the project should be “substantially complete” in early November 2015, rather than in October as stated in the original contract.
