February 5, 2024

Best in State: Gold Award
Complexity

Photo from ACEC Washington

Declined rakers and a large mat footing supported this 80-foot wall below Pine Street during excavation.

GeoEngineers; KPFF Engineering; DBM Contractors

Project: Seattle Convention Center Summit Building
Client: Seattle Convention Center

The Seattle Convention Center’s new addition has transformed a former transit center and automotive dealership into a nearly 8-acre urban high-rise convention space with co-developed residential and office towers. The project doubles the capacity of the Seattle Convention Center and will have a profound economic impact on the Seattle region.

GeoEngineers, DBM Contractors and KPFF Consulting Engineers collaborated on the design and construction of the temporary excavation support for the Seattle Convention Center Summit building.

The project faced unique challenges in the crowded downtown core. Its location, adjacent to the busy Pine Street and Boren Avenue bridges over Interstate 5, required a creative shoring design to support the bridge foundation while allowing the construction of the building envelope.

The project team collaborated on an innovative solution involving a pre-stressed internally braced raker assembly, combined with a steel collar and waler system. This design provided temporary and permanent support to the bridge foundation, enabling construction to proceed as planned. The project also made efficient use of existing cylinder piles, saving on construction and demolition costs by incorporating them into the excavation-support system. High-capacity tieback anchors and internal rakers were added to include the cylinder piles in the support system.

The collaboration between GeoEngineers, DBM and KPFF showcased problem-solving skills and creativity in addressing complex shoring challenges. Their innovative solutions and multidisciplinary approach ensured the project’s success, providing Seattle with an impressive urban high-rise convention space and co-developed residential and office towers that will have a lasting impact on the city’s economy and community.

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