Humana Historical Building FRP Strengthening
CONTRACTOR: HOK Group, Inc.
PROJECT OWNER: Humana, Inc.
LOCATION: LOUISVILLE, KY
BUDGET: $ 8.3 MILLION
COMPLETION: 2018
Humana required an expert assessment of converting three individual buildings into one full-span structure to be utilized in the future as a fitness center. To repair the historical building in Louisville, Humana received recommendations from other firms which would require them to demolish and rebuild the rear wall due to structural deficiency. Humana was in a tough spot of having to relocate their current 300 employees and office technologies from these buildings to a temporary building in Louisville for many months for the proposed repairs and strengthening to occur.
Because of the significant unplanned costs, Humana requested that Cornerstone evaluate options, if any, which would avoid relocation. Cornerstone devised a creative way to keep the existing masonry wall and to strengthen it in-place using Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP). Our proposal would strengthen the walls at the joist bearing locations and included a recommendation to strengthen the wood floor joists. Humana and HOK engaged Cornerstone to perform the in-place strengthening design, provide drawings, and perform the structural special inspections during construction. We were able to preserve and repair the wall, and not a single employee had to be displaced during the construction process. Our innovative solution saved Humana around two million dollars by salvaging the wall and not hindering their operations.