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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
Most of us know that Utah and particularly the Wasatch Front is in a high-risk seismic zone. It’s something I often think about as I drive around downtown and see many of the new buildings going up. I wonder, are they safe? Will they survive an earthquake?
The answer is yes thanks in many ways to Reaveley Engineers and Associates, Inc or RE&A. You know, for the past 29 years, RE&A has grown to be the largest structural engineering firm in the Intermountain West and has structurally designed many of the buildings in the Salt Lake Valley—buildings like the One Utah Center, Abravanel Hall and Rice-Eccles Stadium. The firm is currently involved in engineering the Salt Lake City Main Public Library.
Along with new construction, RE&A has seismically upgraded many historic buildings in the area, including the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Gardner Hall at the U of U and the Fairpark Grand Building at the Utah State Fairpark. The firm is currently at work on the Bennett Federal Building in Salt Lake. When finished, the building will be the first of its kind to utilize advanced seismic bracing technology.
RE&A uses fascinating designs to make our buildings safe. One design calls for base isolators. It enables a building to “float” on rubber isolation bearings during an earthquake. The rubber bearings prevent the structure from shaking, which can cause major damage to the building and its contents.
Base isolation has become an important consideration with RE&A’s current involvement in the seismic upgrade of Utah’s State Capitol Building.
Recently, RE&A completed work on the new 911 Valley Emergency Communications Center. As a critical source for emergency help, the new center was designed to remain operable with minimal disruption and damage following a major earthquake or other disaster.
So as we wonder not if but when, we can at least feel safe knowing Reaveley Engineers & Associates has already helped us prepare.
For Zions Bank, I’m Fred Ball. I’m speaking on business.
