SME provided multi-disciplined services during construction of the 312,000 square foot, $261 million dollar, five-story Biological Science Building for the University of Michigan. This unique facility is a steel-framed structure with exterior masonry bearing walls and brick veneer. The overall structure consists of three towers connected by a series of atrium structures. These atrium structures have glass-lined walls allowing natural light to filter into the two connecting atriums.

Prior to design of the building foundation system, SME performed soil borings and specialized pressure-meter testing, which supported the use of a conventional shallow foundation system with a high bearing pressure. Based on the test results obtained through the pressure-meter testing, we were able to recommend a shallow foundation system be designed for a maximum net allowable soil bearing pressure of 10,000 psf.

This more accurate analysis allowed SME to provide the university with a higher design foundation bearing pressure, of which resulted in smaller footing sizes and associated savings in construction costs.

SME also provided construction materials testing services including testing and evaluation of foundation bearing soils, concrete, floor flatness/levelness, engineered fills, structural steel, masonry, fireproofing, waterproofing, pavements and roofing.

In addition, our building enclosures group performed an evaluation of the opaque walls/fluid-applied air barrier system, designed to be installed behind the mechanically attached rain screen with metal stud backup. The results of performed tests indicated no measurable leakage through the installed assembly