Upcoming Events

CSCE Dinner Presentation: Constructing Rainier Square Tower: Revolutionary High-Rise Lateral Core System

Date: November 21, 2019

Time: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Abstract:

A new revolutionary game-changer composite shear wall system has been introduced in the design and construction of tall buildings and is now being put into practice in constructing of the 850-feet Rainier Square Tower in the center of Seattle’s retail district. The system comprises of two steel plates connected by steel spacing cross ties with the cavity between the plates filled with concrete. Developed by MKA with in-kind support provided by the Supreme Group and being funded by AISC and the Charles Pankow Foundation, this cost-saving system provides faster and safer construction and schedule.

The steel shear wall panels are being fabricated off-site by Supreme Steel Portland and shipped to the site. The system includes approximately 500 panels and 200 boundary members, as well as installation and welding of up to 250,000 cross ties connecting panels. The fabrication of the ties was critical to the efficiency and timely production of the panels. Supreme Steel has developed a process to modernize the fabrication yet ensuring the quality of the cross-connecting ties. Given the large volumes of ties necessary for the fabrication of the skyscraper and the relatively simple nature of the weld, an automated welding system was preferable to ensure consistent and efficient weld production. A customized welding system was designed featuring a consistent, mechanically based welding guide system capable of rapidly and accurately producing welds surrounding the ties. This presentation will shed lights on the design, steel fabrication techniques, and challenges being faced with.

Presenters:

Amir Jamshidi, Ph.D., P.Eng., PE, Supreme Group

Dr. Jamshidi is currently working at FERO as VP of Engineering, as well as, a Technical Consultant at Supreme Group. He obtained his Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the University of Alberta in 2016 focused on progressive collapse of steel structures. Amir has worked on many prominent projects in North America including the Rainier Tower, SeaTac Airport, Walterdale Bridge, The Leaf at Canada's Diversity Gardens, Regina Bypass, and the Southwest Calgary Ring Road. Amir is heavily involved in the technical and engineering communities through the Steel Centre, ASCE, AISC and NSBA. He is a Steel Centre Industry Advisory Council, CISC Education and Research Council, and chair of the Education and Research subcommittee for the Alberta region.

Kevin Guile, President, Supreme Group

Kevin Guile is the President at Supreme Group, where he leads a talented team of individuals in the steel industry, specifically in the areas of fabrication, modularization and erection including all facets of the project, from inception to completion.

Kevin has worked in the steel industry for over 25 years, garnering considerable experience from working with various departments within Supreme for the majority of those years. With his wealth of knowledge, he assists colleagues and clients in building innovative structures with a steel backbone, bringing their vision of majestic skylines to life across Canada and the U.S.

Kevin is a husband and father to three amazing children and spends his downtime with his family on their acreage near Spruce Grove, AB.