COMPREHENSIVE APPROACHES & INNOVATIVE TOOLS FOR FEDERAL FACILITIES NEW AND OLD
- Will Workman, PE
- May 27
- 5 min read
Updated: May 28
Structural engineers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, functionality, and longevity of federal facilities. When working on new construction, there are unique challenges, such as adhering to stringent government codes and regulations, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, and addressing site specific conditions like topography and climate. They must ensure that all design elements meet rigorous standards to withstand various stresses, including seismic activity, wind loads, and other environmental factors.
DIVERSE PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Assessing existing facilities also presents its own set of challenges. Older structures must be fully evaluated to determine current conditions and identify necessary upgrades to comply with modern codes and safety requirements. This often involves dealing with incomplete or inaccurate as-built documentation and conducting detailed site inspections while coordinating extensively with federal entities. Additionally, both new construction and facility assessments require a thorough knowledge of federal guidelines, exceptional problem solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of professionals. Federal facility condition assessments are critical in ensuring the safety, functionality, and sustainability of military installations across the nation. The diverse projects undertaken by the Tamarack Grove Engineering (TGE) team of engineering professionals highlight the comprehensive nature of these assessments and the custom solutions and innovative tools developed to support them. From seismic surveys to condition assessments to adaptive reuse and new builds, the experience of the TGE team includes:
Seismic Surveys
Ensuring that structures can withstand the forces of nature is always a key concern. The TGE team has been called in to multiple bases to determine whether federal buildings are prepared for the inevitable. At a naval base in California the team conducted a seismic survey on a 2,400 square foot, 50-year-old concrete tilt-up building to determine if the structure could be upgraded to current seismic codes and could support renovations as a communication hub. As with many federal projects, extensive coordination with NAVFAC was required to gain site access. The team addressed missing and incomplete as-built drawings while navigating the complexities of UFC and IBC codes including anti-terrorism force protection measures, ultimately determining that the building could be upgraded as a federal facility.
Facility Condition Assessments
New Facilities
While ongoing maintenance and assessment ensures that existing structures continue to perform, new facilities allow the armed forces to operate effectively. As part of this effort, the team oversaw the construction of a replica training facility in the Middle East designed for military urban warfare training. The 500,000 SF complex included multiple buildings, such as mosques, dining facilities, barracks, and office buildings. The extensive project, led by TGE’s Will Workman, PE, was comprised of multiple buildings in a location and environment that presented inherent challenges. “Designing so many different structures in a very different environment included considering alternate building techniques, the diversity of structures, availability of materials, and codes. I led the team as we met each challenge relying on our experience as well as the knowledge of federal requirements,” said Will Workman, PE. The project necessitated meticulous quality assurance to ensure all structures were built to specifications and met safety standards. Projects on a smaller, but equally important scale, are undertaken by the TGE team with as much precision and expertise. The team regularly designs buildings and foundations for structures to continue to meet the
operational and functional needs of our federal system. The team also designs facilities in hurricane-prone areas. A recent project on the east coast included design of a foundation for a new 4,000 SF pre-engineered metal building. The foundation was a slab-on-grade with turned-down footings, a common design that required precise execution to ensure stability and compliance with all standards.
Quality Assurance
TGE is also called upon to provide critical quality assurance on construction projects that are underway which is crucial to maintain the integrity and safety of military facilities. Rigorous oversight of construction projects ensures all aspects of construction adhere to approved plans – from verifying stud sizes and beam placements to checking rebar spacing. For instance, during the construction of the replica training facility, the team identified and corrected issues with rebar spacing, ensuring the structures met all safety standards.
EXPERTISE + EXPERIENCE
Not only does the TGE team have exceptional experience in designing to resist storm environmental hazards the team was instrumental in building tools that have been pivotal to the industry including:
BUILDER: An Innovative Assessment Tool
A significant innovation by a key member of the TGE team, Will Workman, is the BUILDER assessment tool. This proprietary system was designed to revolutionize facility condition assessments by providing detailed reports based on user input. Key features of BUILDER include:
» Output Reports:
BUILDER generates reports that outline required repairs, proposed maintenance schedules, and cost estimates over one, five, and ten-year periods. This allows military installations to plan and budget for future repairs and maintenance effectively.
» Standardization:
The tool standardizes the assessment process, ensuring consistency across all military installations. This is now a mandatory requirement for all DoD facility assessments.
» Maintenance and Repair Plans:
BUILDER can devise a prioritized plan for addressing repairs, ensuring critical issues like foundation repairs are tackled first, followed by other maintenance tasks.
Renewable Energy Calculator Initiative
In addition to BUILDER, the team also contributed to the development of a renewable energy calculator. This tool assists military bases in optimizing their renewable energy usage based on geographical data. By inputting GPS coordinates, the calculator evaluates potential solar, geothermal, and wind energy, providing a tailored renewable energy plan for each site. This initiative helps military installations adopt sustainable energy solutions, reducing their environmental footprint and operational costs.
QUALITY AT ALL LEVELS
Both new construction and facility assessments require a deep understanding of federal guidelines,
exceptional problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team of professionals. The work of structural engineers at TGE is vital in maintaining the integrity and resilience of federal facilities for the long term, and in designing new facilities that meet the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
The comprehensive work of the TGE team in conducting facility assessments, developing innovative tools like BUILDER, and ensuring rigorous quality assurance
has significantly enhanced the management and maintenance of federal facilities across the nation and beyond. TGE’s specialized and diverse project experience and commitment to excellence continue to ensure that military installations are safe, functional, and sustainable for the future.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TAMARACK GROVE ENGINEERING AND OUR WORK ON FEDERAL FACILITIES, PLEASE CONTACT WILL WORKMAN WILL.WORKMAN@TAMARACKGROVE.COM
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