CAST-IN-PLACE

CONCRETE PARKING STRUCTURES

 ADVANTAGES OF CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE PARKING STRUCTURES

This brochure contains case studies of 20 Two way flat plates and flat slabs are also used
for parking structures as is illustrated on pages
parking structures located throughout the United
10 and 31 to 33. An independent statistical
States. In most of these cases, a post-tensioned
analysis” (1) * of parking structure construction for
structural system was selected after careful
1986 to 1989 shows that cast-in-place post--
economic studies and comparisons indicated
tensioned concrete structural solutions were
initial or life cycle cost savings. In some cases,
most often selected. These are the reasons:
the initial costs were comparable to a competitive
alternative, but life cycle cost comparisons or the INITIAL AND LIFE CYCLE COSTS
other tangible advantages discussed below Analyses and competitive bids against alter-
resulted in selection of post-tensioned concrete native systems often show that post-tensioned
At the time
structural frames. The cast-in-place concrete structural systems provide initial cost savings.
of construction (1990),
structural system most commonly used for Alternative bids for the Indianapolis International
the Franklin/Van Buren
parking structures is a one way slab supported on Airport Parking Structure (see page 12) resulted in
Parking Facility,
beams. The slabs typically have spans in the a savings of about $1.00 per square foot for the
Chicago, IL. was the
tallest self park in the
range of 17 ft to 27 ft. The beams usually have post-tensioned alternative. When initial costs are
world, providing parking spans in the range of 50 ft to 62 ft. Most of the more nearly comparable, life cycle costs often
on 14 levels. examples in this publication illustrate the beam show savings for post-tensioned alternatives.
and slab structural system. Quantities and cost information for the 20 case
studies in this brochure are presented in the
project summaries, pages 26-27. Additional
quantities suitable for estimating purposes are
presented on pages 31-33.

LOW MAINTENANCE COST

Properly constructed cast-in-place post-
tensioned concrete floors are virtually crack-free
and use widely spaced floor joints (joint spacing
of 200 ft or more are common). The use of
epoxy-coated reinforcement, encapsulation of
post-tensioned reinforcement, low water/cement
ratio air-entrained concrete, and concrete
sealers in aggressive environments provide
floor systems with minimal maintenance costs.
See the detailed discussion of durability on
pages 28-30. Precast floors, particularly
“untopped” precast floors, require periodic
maintenance repairs of the caulked joints

*Numbers in raised () refer to references listed at the end of this section.

HIGHEST QUALITY AT COMPETITIVE COSTS

between the precast units. One consulting firm ENHANCED LIGHTING

estimated that 30 percent of the caulked joints of AND PATRON SECURITY
precast floors will need to be replaced every The wide beam spacing and flat surfaces pro-
three years after the five year warranty expires. Loss vided by cast-in-place parking structures
of parking spaces during maintenance work results enhance the installation and efficiency of the
in loss of parking revenue. lighting system. This results in improved
esthetics and enhanced patron security.
CRACK CONTROL AND
WATERTIGHTNESS
In addition to elimination of caulked joints, post-
tensioning helps achieve watertightness by
introducing a state of bi-axial compression in the
slab, thereby controlling cracks. That's an
important advantage because water, dirt and de-
icer chemicals leaking through cracks or joints
may make parts of a parking structure unusable or
require costly repairs.

SMOOTH RIDING SURFACE

The continuous riding surface with minimal joints
provided by cast-in-place concrete construction
creates a superior riding quality since most joints Riding surface of Xerox
Centre Parking Structure
are eliminated and differential initial and
(Phase 1), Santa Ana, CA
long-term deflections across joints are not a
concern. Cast-in-place floors are also readily FIRE RESISTANCE
warped to provide smooth geometry transition The fire resistive characteristics of the flat
between ramps and floors. surfaces and wide beams of post-tensioned
structures provide fire resistive ratings to meet
code requirements. Thin-stemmed structural
elements provide less concrete insulation to delay
strength loss of the main reinforcement. This
results in shorter fire resistive periods.

Lighting of
Franklin/Van Buren
Self Park, Chicago.
 ADVANTAGES OF
CAST-IN-PLACE
structures are shown by the following project case
studies. The ease with which architectural
treatments of exposed concrete are achieved
is a definite advantage of cast-in-place concrete
structures. A notable example is the Williams Square
West Garage, Irving, Texas shown at the left. In this
structure, the concrete in exposed perimeter
elements was made with a crushed granite
aggregate. The concrete for the interior beams,
slabs and columns used a more economical
crushed limestone aggregate. To fully reveal the
color of the granite, perimeter surfaces were
sandblasted.
Williams Square West
Garage, Irving, Texas REDUCED STRUCTURAL DEPTH
Crushed granite aggregate Use of post-tensioning reduces the depth of the
concrete surface treatment. floor system by one-third or more in comparison to
some alternative systems. Reduced structural
depth enhances both the appearance and
economy of post-tensioned concrete parking
structures. In some cases, such as the Sands
FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY Hotel/Casino Parking Structure on page 11, depth
Cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete reduction was an essential factor in meeting code
construction provides long, column-free spans and height restrictions. For the Douglas Parking Structure
is easily adaptable to the framing and functional (see page 10), reduction in height of the parking
requirements of parking structures. Post-tensioned structure was a primary architectural consideration.
construction easily accommodates the framing For underground parking structures, reduced depth
requirements of straight ramps, curved ramps, and reduces excavation and shoring costs as well as
irregular sites. There is no functional compromise, improving parking efficiency due to shorter ramps.
which can be the case with other framing systems. DEFLECTION AND VIBRATION CONTROL
ESTHETICS Because of their draped configuration, the
The architectural appeal of cast-in-place tendons in a post-tensioned structure carry much
concrete construction is widely recognized. In of the load directly to the columns. This reduces
fact, structures with other framing systems flexural deflections in the framing system. Due to
often imitate cast-in-place concrete parapets and post-tensioning, the entire concrete section is
fascia. Curvilinear shapes and forms economically effective in resisting load effects. In conjunction
achieveable in cast-in-place structures provide with the redundancy of monolithic concrete
the necessary flexibility for creative framing systems, this reduces vibrations of the
architectural expressions. The esthetic completed structure.
advantages of cast-in-place concrete parking
CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
REFERENCES
(1)
”What's Going on Out There”-A
Statistical Analysis of Parking
FRAME RESISTANCE reduce unemployment recognize the advantages of Construction in the United States
TO LATERAL LOADS using local labor. For maximum economic benefit to 1986-1989” The Parking Market
Research Company, Alexandria,
Monolithic connections between slabs, beam,, and your community, and lowest total construction cost, Virginia, January, 1987.
columns provide a rigid frame with built-in the logical choice is a cast-in-place concrete parking
(2) “
resistance to wind and other lateral loads. The use structure.
Performance of Precast or
Prestressed Concrete in the San
of this inherent frame action in the Texas - Medical Fernando Earthquake” Kariotis &
Center Parking Structure No. 7 (see page 22) CONSTRUCTION ADVANTAGES Kesler, Structural Engineers, South
Pasadena, 1971.
eliminated the need for shear walls or bracing, even Materials delivery: With cast-in-place
under hurricane wind loads. construction, the contractor has direct control of (3)
Aalami, Bijan 0.; Barth, Florian G.,
Napior, Ken, and Pu, Denis C.,
the cost and delivery schedule of the concrete “Earthquake Performance of
RESISTANCE TO SEISMIC LOADINGS from local sources. Delivery of precast Unbonded Post-Tensioned Buildings,
Hundreds of post-tensioned parking structures San Francisco Earthquake - 1989”
products is controlled by a separate organization, Post-Tensioning Institute, Phoenix,
performed well in the 1971 San Fernando often located at a significant distance from the Arizona, 1990.
earthquake” (2) and in the 1989 Loma Prieta construction site, and is often disruptive to traffic (4)
Hawkins, Neil M., and Ishizuka,
earthquake.” (3) Research has shown that unbonded flow. Takayuki, “Concrete Ductile Moment
post-tensioning improves the behavior of Cast-in-place construction eliminates the time Resistant Frames with Unbonded
Post-Tensioned Beams.” Proceedings,
structural frames under seismic loadings.” (4) Code and cost of hauling heavy prefabricated elements Seminar on Precast Concrete
provisions developed by the Building Seismic from the fabrication plant to the job site, as well as
Construction in Seismic Zones,
Tokyo, October, 1986, pp 277-291.
Safety Council now recognize the helpful effects of the need for heavy lifting equipment. There's
unbonded post-tensioning in ductile moment also no need for a large storage area at the
(5)
NEHRP Recommended
Provisions for the Development of
resisting frames.” (5) construction site (see write-ups of Sands Seismic Regulations for New
Buildings, Building Seismic Safety
Hotel/Casino and Texas Medical Center No. 7
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY Council, Washington, D.C., 1988.
parking structures, pages 11 and 22, respectively).
The 1989 ACI Building Code(6) introduced
Large-panel flying forms, and modular
(6)
“Building Code Requirements for
reinforcement requirements for structural integrity. Reinforced Concrete” ACI 318-89,
forming systems, enhance the construction speed American Concrete Institute, Detroit,
These requirements insure a minimal resistance to
and economy of cast-in-place concrete parking Michigan, 1989.
abnormal or catastrophic loading conditions not
structures. Review of the construction periods in (7)
Freyermuth, Clifford L., “Structural
contemplated in the routine design loadings.
the project summaries (see pages 2( and 27) Integrity of Buildings Constructed
Both research and experience have shown that with Unbonded Tendons,” Concrete
reveals very competitive construction periods, International, Vol. 11, No. 3, March,
post-tensioned structures inherently provide
even in locations with severe winters. 1989.
structural integrity under abnormal and even
catastrophic loadings.” (7) CASE STUDIES
The advantages of cast-in-place post-tensioned
LOCAL LABOR AND MATERIALS concrete parking structures discussed above are
The predominant use of local labor and ma- shown by the case histories that follow. These
terials contributes to the low initial cost of cast-in-place projects cover the spectrum of cast-in-place
concrete parking structures. Nearby ready-mix concrete garages, both in size and application.
producers, rebar fabricators, formwork contractors, They illustrate there is no better value than cast-
rebar and concrete placers, and other suppliers are in-place concrete parking structures-now and
convenient sources of abundant raw materials to be for the future.
delivered when and as needed for cast-in-place
construction. Federal projects to
ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL, AIRPORT PARKING STRUCTURE, ORLANDO, FL

OWNER:
Greater Orlando Aviation
Authority
The structural system for this six level 7,350 car Cost comparisons with precast systems utilizing
similar severe durability criteria proved that the
Orlando, Florida parking structure is a cast-in-place post-tensioned cast-in-place system was the most economical, first
ARCHITECT: slab and girder system. The post-tensioning system cost and total cost. In addition to being cost-
Odell Associates, Inc. includes complete strand encapsulation. effective, fewer joints were needed and the cast-in-
Tampa, Florida
A 40-year durable structure with minimal place frame provided site casting flexibility to
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER-OF- maintenance was required by the Owner. accommodate ongoing airport activity.
RECORD:
Paulus Sokolowski & Sartor, Inc., Deterioration of existing surface parking, plus The wide helix with 80-foot curved spans
Tampa, Florida plans to construct a major addition to the provides a pleasant driving experience while
STRUCTURAL Landside Terminal Building on the site of an ascending the garage.
CONSULTANT: overflow parking area, required that the Low exterior walls on the ramps provide
Walter P. Moore &
Assoc., Inc., Tampa, structured parking be built quickly. views of the airport grounds.
Florida

GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Great Wide beam spacing and high

Southwest Corp. Orlando,
Florida ceilings improved night lighting
levels for increased patron
security.
SOUTH PARKING GARAGE, TAMPA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLORIDA

OWNER:
Hilsborough County
Aviation Authority
T he South Parking Garage, located at Tampa The project team established design criteria for
use in selecting the structural system. These
Tampa, Florida International Airport, has an 11 acre footprint,
criteria included the following:
ENGINEER/PARKING and is located immediately sour of the Landside
• Large bay size (36' x 54' column spacing)
CONSULTANT: Terminal Building. The two structures will
Walker Parking Consultant: • Openness for patron comfort and security
Engineers, Inc. be connected by a high frequency automated
• Minimal total height of the structure
people mover.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR/ • 50 year durability with minimum
CONCRETE CONTRACTOR Phase 1 construction includes five full parking maintenance.
Metric/Harbert-a joint venture levels with a capacity for 4,900 vehicles. The • Ease of vertical expansion
structural system, with 36' x 54' bays, has • Acceptable initial construction cost
conventionally reinforced columns with post- Using these criteria, four structural systems
tensioned beams and slabs. When Phase 1 is were studied. A cast-in-place, post-tensioned
completed, level 6 and the remaining parking system was selected as best satisfying the project
areas of levels 7 and 8 will be constructed, requirements.
providing a total of 8,300 parking stalls.
FASHION CENTRE AT PENTAGON CITY PARKING STRUCTURE, VIRGINIA

OWNER:
Fashion Centre at
Pentagon City
This 4,368 space parking deck, located near the Cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete was
chosen after a comparison with a precast system.
Pentagon, was constructed with a major shopping
ARCHITECT:
Contractors received pricing drawings from the
center development. The development includes a
RTKL, Baltimore, Maryland designer, and priced both schemes. After
mall, a hotel, an office building, department stores,
ENGINEER/PARKING
analysis of the first cost and long term
and a cinema. The cast-in-place post-tensioned
CONSULTANT maintenance costs, cast-in-place post-tensioned
Walker Parking deck includes one level below grade and five
Consultants/Engineers, Inc.
concrete framing was selected.
elevated levels. A four-lane external speed ramp
CONTRACTOR: provides access to the flat bays. This is
McDevitt & Street, supplemented by an internal ramp to enhance
Charlotte, N.C.
accessibility of all levels.
ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PARKING STRUCTURE, NM

OWNER:
City of Albuquerque, Aviation
T his unusually inviting airport parking
Dept., Albuquerque, N.M. structure uses post-tensioned reinforced concrete
ARCHITECT:
slabs and beams.
BPLW Architects & Engineer,, The total of 1,247,573 square feet provides
Albuquerque, N.M. parking for 3,400 cars with easy access to the
DESIGN CONSULTANT:
airport terminal through a direct tunnel
TRA Airport Consultants, connection. Designed to blend in with the other
Seattle, Washington airport facilities, the garage was planned with
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: two levels below grade to preserve views from
Boyle Engineers Albuquerque, the adjacent buildings.
N.M. Concrete was chosen for the long span (56')
CONTRACTOR: structural bays because, locally, it's more
The Jaynes Corporation economical than steel. Post-tensioned reinforced
Albuquerque, N.M.
concrete, while comparable in cost to precast
concrete, offered advantages of fewer joints,
cleaner joint treatment, and significantly fewer
supporting elements. This enabled maximum
visibility within the structure.
The improved interior visibility enhances the brightens up all four parking levels, and helps
functionality of the atrium or “light well.” This direct travelers through the building.
DOUGLAS PARKING STRUCTURE, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

OWNER:
McDonnell Douglas
Realty Company
T he Douglas Parking Structure consists of three To reduce the dominating effect of the large
parking structure, an important architectural
Long Beach, California two-way traffic flat drive isles with double loaded
requirement was to lessen the total building height.
90 degree parking. One exterior bay is typically
ARCHITECT: This was achieved by use of cast-in-place post-
Teng Li and Associates one-half level lower than the remainder of the
Pasadena, California
tensioned flat slab floors. The flat slab provided a
structure. The split level is connected by two
critical 13 feet reduction in height compared to the
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: speed ramps, up and down. The structure
Bijan, Florian & Assoc., Inc
precast alternative, and proved to be the most
measures 189' x 595' in plan. Attractive exterior
Redwood City, California economical solution.
cast-in-place stairs echo architectural expression of
CONTRACTOR: the adjacent office building.
Saffell & McAdam, Inc.
Irvine, California Cast-in-place post-tensioned two-way flat slab
floors provide parking on seven levels. The slabs
are supported by site-cast rectangular concrete
columns. The lateral support of the garage is
provided by cast-in-place shear walls in each
direction. Due to its excessive length, the
structure is separated into two parts by one
expansion joint.
SANDS HOTEL/CASINO RED CARPET PARKING STRUCTURE, ATLANTIC CITY

OWNER:
Sands Hotel/Casino
In 1985, the Sands Hotel/Casino chose to
Atlantic City, N.J. expand its existing Atlantic City, N.J. casino
complex with 650,000 square feet of structured
ARCHITECT:
David Jacobson Associates parking. A large building on a limited site, the
Atlantic, NJ proposed parking structure presented multiple
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: design challenges. Not least among these
Cagley & Harman, Inc. King of challenges was an accelerated, ten-month building
Prussia, PA
schedule.
CONTRACTOR: One of the first hurdles was the Atlantic City
J. J. Nugent Co. (General
Contractor and Concrete zoning code, which calls for low-rise buildings on
Contractor) the proposed site. The Sands Hotel/Casino,
Northfield, N.J.
however, sought an eleven story structure, and thus
the design team was required to propose a
variance. The variance was required to show the
Sand's commitment to reducing the structure’s
height, without compromising the integrity of the
building program. The properties of post-tensioned
concrete (which allows for minimal beam depths
and floor to floor heights) made such a proposal
feasible. The Sands Hotel/Casino Parking Structure
occupies every available square foot of its site, and
an adjacent site offered only limited staging,
storage and erection space. For these reasons, the
design team dismissed structural systems of
multiple or prefabricated construction components
(ie., precast concrete) as infeasible. The modular,
repetitive formwork specified for the Sands
Hotel/Casino Parking Structure was in continuous
use throughout construction and did not require a
storage area at the job site.
The Sands Hotel/Casino Parking Structure is an
eleven story cast-in-place post-tensioned concrete
beam and slab system. There are two separate
buildings connected by pedestrian and traffic
bridges. The self park structure has a 59' clear span
typical bay. The valet structure has a 57' clear
center bay and short spans in the side bays to
accommodate the ramp system.
OWNER:
Indianapolis Airport Authority Two complete sets of structural plans were issued
ARCHITECT: for bidding on the new parking structure at the
Browning Day Mullins & Indianapolis International Airport. The new
Dierdorf, Inc.
structure provides parking for 1,850 cars on 5
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: levels. Bids submitted for the cast-in-place post-
Fink, Roberts and Petrie, Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana tensioned, and the precast, prestressed alternates
were as follows:
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Geupel Demars, Inc. Cast-in-Place Post-Tensioned: $7,580,000
7,594,000 7,683,000 8,387,938
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER: Precast: $8,060,008 8,178,000 8,568,000
Glenroy Construction Company,
Inc.
The $480,000.00 savings provided by the cast-
in-place post-tensioned frame represented about
$1.00 per square foot for the supported levels. In
addition to the lower construction cost, the post-
tensioned concrete system was also preferred for
durability and lower maintenance costs.

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

The cast-in-place framing is a post-tensioned,

one-way slab and beam system with the beams
spanning 62'. Since the structure is on a curve, the
span of the 6" and 7" slabs varies from 14' to 27'.
The two helical ramps consist of post-tensioned
slabs cantilevering 20' from a 20" thick core wall.
The slab thickness varies from 6" to 20". An
additional level was included in the design
of the ramps. This level acts as a roof protecting
the entire driving surface from direct exposure to
rain and snow.
All reinforcing within the garage parking decks
and ramps, as well as all post-tensioning anchors,
are epoxy-coated.
BEN TAUB GENERAL HOSPITAL PARKING GARAGE, HOUSTON, TEXAS

OWNER:
Harris County Hospital The Ben Taub General Hospital Parking Garage is
District a 1,650 car, nine story cast-in-place concrete
Houston, Texas parking garage. The parking structure is located
next to Ben Taub General Hospital in the Houston
ENGINEER:
Medical Center. The structural system consists of a
Cagley, Conti & Jumper
Houston, Texas
post-tensioned one way slab and beam system.
The beams are 20 feet on center and span 58 feet 8
PARKING CONSULTANT: inches. The beams are 16 inches wide and 28
Carl Walker Engineers inches deep. A 5'2 inch thick post-tensioned
Kalamazoo, Michigan slab spans between the beams. The columns in the
building are 24 inches square. The building is
ARCHITECT:
supported on reinforced concrete spread footings.
Ray Bailey Architects
Houston, Texas
The post-tensioned structural system was
chosen over others because of its superior
CONTRACTOR: durability and lower maintenance costs.
Manhattan Construction Co. Life cycle cost studies were done comparing
Houston, Texas cast-in-place concrete to a precast concrete
solution. The cast-in-place concrete structure

had the lowest life cycle cost. Another important

factor that influenced the decision to use a cast-in-
place beam and slab system was the clean,
relatively flat underside of the structure. This
provided enhanced lighting. The improved lighting
addressed the Owner's concern for safety in the
24-hour a day garage.
CIRCLE DRIVE PARKING FACILITY, UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND, OH

OWNER:
University Hospitals of
Cleveland
The design for the Circle Drive Parking Facility
corresponds to the Hospital's ambitious master plan
ARCHITECT/ENGINEER: to locate staff parking in one centralized area. The
Desman Associates
structure design permits both horizontal and
CONTRACTOR: vertical expansion with minimal impact on the
Donley's Inc.
current parking operation. The facility also plays an
important role in the hospital's health care
operation by way of two helipads located on the
structure's roof.
The parking facility's cast-in-place, post-
tensioned concrete structural system provides
long-span, column-free parking bays. The
structural system also offers fire resistance
and long-term durability at a reasonable cost. Use
of epoxy-coated rebar, low water-cement ratio
concrete and state-of-the-art sealers contribute to
the structure's resistance to deterioration.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARKING FACILITY NO. 7, SILVER SPRING, MD

OWNER:
Montgomery County Dept. Montgomery County selected cast-in-place post-
of Transportation Division tensioned concrete for this garage for economic
of Parking, Silver Spring, and functional reasons.
Maryland
A cast-in-place system also was the easiest to
ARCHITECT: construct to meet a very irregular site dictated “foot-
Wilmot, Bower & Assoc. print.” The structural system is a one-way post-
Rockville, Maryland tensioned slab spanning 17 feet, supported by 32
inch deep post-tensioned beams with 60 ft. spans.
ENGINEER: Montgomery County's Division of Parking has
Cagley & Associates, Inc.
stipulated the use of cast-in-place pos-tensioned
Rockville, Maryland
concrete structural systems for all new garage
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: construction. This decision was based on the
Manhattan Construction Co. County's experience with their older precast and
Fairfax, Virginia steel framed facilities. On the basis of this
experience, cast-in-place post-tensioned concrete
PARKING CONSULTANT: provides the least expensive alternative when the
Carl Walker Engineers life cycle costs are considered.
Kalamazoo, Michigan
PEARL NIAGARA MUNICIPAL PARKING FACILITY, BUFFALO, NEW YORK

OWNER:
City of Buffalo Buffalo, The Pearl-Niagara Parking Facility consists of SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FEATURES:
ƒ The post-tensioned concrete structure
New York
eight levels of parking off Pearl Street and provides long-span, column-free parking
DESIGNER: nine levels of parking off Franklin Street. The bays. All reinforcing steel is epoxy-
Desman Associates New two sections of the parking structure reach heights coated. A silane sealer protects the ramp
York, NY of 80 ft. and 90 ft., respectively. The structure against the highly corrosive environment
accommodates 1,240 cars and includes space for in the Buffalo area.
CONTRACTOR:
Siegfried Construction Co. Buffalo, commercial and retail development on the ƒ The double-helix system with a two-way
NY ground floor along Franklin and Pearl Streets. traffic pattern provides two separate
The height of the parking structure is cycles up, and two. down. Two separate
compatible with the scale of the surrounding entry/exit points serve each ramp system.
buildings. A classical style of architecture was Since the facility provides parking
used to blend with the character of the older primarily for employees in the area, the
buildings in the district. In addition, design is well suited for the peak--
materials and colors used for the facade blend in/peak-out conditions.
esthetically with both the old and new buildings. ƒ For maximum efficiency, 8'-6" wide stalls
are provided, and an entire bay has been
sized and designated for small cars.
ƒ Glass enclosed stair/elevator towers and
lobbies enhances the feeling of security.
ƒ High pressure sodium lighting
fixtures are provided with day time and
night light circulating.
CAMBRIDGE CENTER NORTH GARAGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

OWNER: ƒ Construction cost was nominally less expensive.

Boston Properties The Cambridge Center North Garage provides ƒ Due to the post-tensioned floor slabs, cast-in-
ARCHITECT/ENGINEER: 1,176 parking spaces on 6½ levels. The place construction provides a virtually crack
Desman Associates structural system is a cast-in-place post- free deck. In place of temperature
CONTRACTOR: tensioned frame with an architectural precast reinforcement, concrete was compressed with
John Moriarty & Associates concrete exterior facade. Exterior columns are 24" post-tensioning to compensate for tensile
diameter round cast-in-place concrete. Interior forces due to shrinkage and creep.
columns of 24" x 28" square cast-in-place ƒ The number of joints in a cast-in-place system was far
concrete. Floor to floor height is 9'-0" made fewer than a precast system.
possible by using shallow cast-in-place post- ƒ All exposed connections between
tensioned concrete beams 1'-8" deep and 4'-0" columns and beams were eliminated.
wide. ƒ High strength concrete and epoxy-coated
In comparing types of structural systems, the use rebar were utilized to increase the life of the
of a cast-in-place post-tensioned system was chosen structure.
with the following advantages over precast:
THEATRE DISTRICT SELF PARK, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

OWNER:
Stein & Co./Standard Driven by its surroundings, this 12 level parking
Parking Corporation
structure's design enhances the theatre motif of the
ARCHITECT/ENGINEER: Chicago North Loop. Billboard-like signage,
Desman Associates
brightly lit canopies and a musical floor reminder
CONTRACTOR: system make parking a fun part of an evening's
Power Contracting &
Engineering theatrical experience During the day, the 3 bay,
double helix parking layout maximizes the site’s
space allowance while efficiently
accommodating the large traffic turnover.
The design of the parking facility’s cast-in-
place, post-tensioned concrete structural system
provides long-span, column-free parking bays. The
structural system also offers fire resistance and
long-term durability at a reasonable cost. Use of
epoxy-coated rebar, low water-cement ratio
concrete and state-of-the-art sealers complement
the structure’s resistance to deterioration.
GARDEN PLAZA, RENTON, WASHINGTON

OWNER:
E & H Properties Garden Plaza uses cast-in-place post-tensioned slab concrete were specified to reduce
permeability and minimize cracking. These
Bellevue, Washington concrete for the structural frames of both the office
characteristics were monitored closely during
ARCHITECT building and the parking structure. Concrete was
construction and did, in fact, result in durable,
Curtis Beattie & Associates chosen for its unique combination of quality and
Seattle, Washington virtually crack-free slabs. Finally, the use of cast-
economy. The quality inherent in a cast-in-place
in-place concrete permitted an accelerated
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: concrete frame is multi-dimensional. From a
construction schedule. Since all materials were
Cary Kpczynski & Company, Inc., structural standpoint, the frame is highly
Bellevue, Washington locally available, the need for the long lead time
redundant which enables loads to be carried
sometimes associated with other competitive
CONTRACTOR: multiple directions. This provides an extra margin
Baugh Construction
systems was eliminated. The project was
of safety against temporary overload. From the
Seattle, Washington completed and occupied on schedule.
standpoint of the user, a cast-in-place concrete sys-
The structural system is comprised of a long-
tem creates excellent sound dampening
span beam/slab system with lateral resistance
characteristics, and also results in floors with
provided by a combination of shear walls and
minimal vibrations.
ductile frames. Floor beams are 14 inches by 36
Both the office building and the parking
inches, with five-inch slabs spanning twenty feet.
structure used post-tensioning to achieve longer
Both beams and slabs are post-tensioned using half-
spans and minimize deflections. The concrete
inch diameter unbonded tendons. The seismic
mixes were custom designed to meet the needs of
system consists of cast-in-place shear walls in the
the various elements of the buildings. As an
longitudinal direction, with up-turned concrete
example, the water/cement ratio and other key
ductile frames in the transverse direction.
characteristics of the parking structure
CHESTER STREET PARKING STRUCTURE, BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN

OWNER: height and eases the transition from a park-like

City of Birmingham,
Michigan Birmingham is a historic, southeastern Michigan setting to the bustling urban core. Finally,
upturned/ downturned beams and round profile
community that blends commercial and upscale
ARCHITECT: columns on the exterior facades reduces the visual
retail activity with many “village” characteristics
Lukenbach/Ziegelman & mass of these elements.
Partners (green space; picket fences; white, wood-framed
The six-level Chester Street Parking Structure is
houses with pitched roofs). Building a new parking
constructed of cast-in-place concrete with
ENGINEER/PARKING structure in such a multi-faceted setting mandated
CONSULTANT: post-tensioned supported slabs and beams. The
a sensitive architectural statement with
Walker Parking interlocking helix ramping system reduces travel
Consultants/Engineers, Inc. maximum user comfort and convenience.
distance, lessens cross traffic situations, and
The structure's architectural form and detail
allows recirculation at all levels.
CONTRACTOR: presented the greatest structural design challenges.
R. E. Dailey Co. Concrete Although an “architecturally driven” project, the
Extensive computerized analytical methods were
Construction Chester Street Parking Structure combines form and
used to design the two curved, glass-enclosed
function. The creative design solution positively
SUBCONTRACTOR: stair/elevator towers. Other engineering solutions
impacted the project without compromising its
Colasanti Corp. softened the mass, impact, and height of this 900
structural integrity, function, or durability. The
car facility. For example, the top tier is set back
structure fulfills its goals as an attractive and
using buttress beams at a 45 degree angle.
convenient addition to Birmingham's parking
Terracing the western elevation also softens the
system.
MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

OWNER:
City of Minneapolis Located adjacent to the $200 million CONVENTION CENTER PARKING FEATURES:
• Four-level below-grade structure; four-bay side-
ARCHITECT: Minneapolis Convention Center, the parking
by-side single helix; one-way traffic.
Arvid Elness Architects, Inc. structure provides Convention Center patrons a
• Three stair/elevator towers with glass walls
high level of comfort and security, including
PRIME CONSULTANT: adjacent to parking areas; pedestrian skyway
a climate-controlled pedestrian skyway
Van Doren-Hazard-Stallings, Inc. connects southern stair/elevator tower to
connection.
Convention Center.
PARKING CONSULTANT: Carl The owner selected a cast-in-place concrete
Walker Engineers, Inc. system to resist lateral earth pressure loads from • High-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting; painted
foundation walls leaning against the frame. Post- walls and ceilings; closed circuit television
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER: M.A.
tensioned cast-in-place concrete was also used to (CCTV); intercom system.
Mortenson/ Barton-Malow
minimize cracking. Structural durability/low • Cast-in-place post-tensioned long-span beams
maintenance requirements were addressed by and slabs; caisson foundations.
incorporating microsilica concrete. • Landscaped pedestrian plaza above parking
structure.
TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER PARKING GARAGE, HOUSTON, TEXAS

OWNER:
Texas Medical Center An estimated 107,000 people-including more
than 50,000 employees-come to the Texas
ARCHITECT:
Morris Architects Medical Center daily. This creates a very large
gathering of people and automobiles. Most of
DESIGNER:
Walter P. Moore and
the activity is in an area of 134 acres at the
Associates, Inc., Houston, center of the campus. To provide additional
Texas parking, Texas Medical Center wanted to build a
CONTRACTOR: garage on a 130' by 233' site for as many cars as
Gerhart/Vaughn Builders practical. The site was occupied by a six-story
dormitory and surrounded on three sides by
existing facilities.
The design team worked together with Texas
Medical Center and the neighboring institutions to
create a structure for 878 cars on 14½ levels which
meets their parking needs. At every step of the way,
the team explored many design options to assure
that the facility was functional, durable, flexible
and economical. The result, now known as

Texas Medical Center Parking Garage 7, is a

balanced workable garage that was constructed 5%
under budget, with a minimum of disruption to
medical center operations. It has been very well-
received by both user and the neighboring
institutions.
The design team selected a post-tensioned,
cast-in-place concrete structural system for the
structure. The post-tensioned system was used to
achieve economical long-span bays, and to
assure a durable, virtually crack-free
structure. In addition to providing durable,
vibration resistant floors, the beam and slab
framing system provided adequate lateral
resistance to hurricane winds without shear walls
or bracing. To provide an architecturally “clean”
top for the garage, the stairs and elevator
penthouses were concealed with a raised
horizontal band of precast facing.
UCI MEDICAL CENTER PARKING STRUCTURE, ORANGE, CALIFORNIA

OWNER:
UCI Medical Center
Orange, California
The typical level of the UCI Medical Center Due to the involved exterior architectural finish
stipulated by the University, pre-cast construction
parking structure is 126' x 277' in plan. The parking
ARCHITECT:
was considered. The University staged a design-
layout is 90 degree stalls on each side of the bay
Wayne Banks & Associates Irvine, build competition. A comparative cost analysis of
California with a central driveway. One bay is horizontal
several design build structural systems showed that
and the other functions as a ramp with a 5 degree
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete was, by far,
Bijan, Florian & Assoc., Inc. slope.
Structural Engineering
the most economical alternative. The
The concrete frame is cast-in-place. The floor
Consultants, Redwood City, University welcomed the cast-in-place solution
California system consists of one-way post-tensioned slabs
as the successful system due to the redundancy
supported by post-tensioned beam at 20 feet on
CONTRACTOR: against lateral forces, and the frames low
Saffell & McAdam, Inc. center. The beams were formed using a
Irvine, California
maintenance requirements.
mechanized aluminum forming system developed
by the Contractor. The structure is laterally
supported by cast-in-place shear walls in each
direction. 4000 psi concrete using hardrock
aggregate was specified for the entire structure
except for the foundations. The structure is
supported on conventional spread footings.
 ST. JOSEPH/WAYNE STREET PARKING FACILITY, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA

All interior walls, ceilings, beams and

OWNER: columns were painted white, creating a
City of South Bend, Indiana L ocated in downtown South Bend, this pleasing and bright environment.
138,700 square feet, 433-space parking facility was Public opinion about the architecture and
DESIGNER: function has been extremely positive. The city of
Walker Parking
constructed to satisfy existing parking demand and
Consultants/Engineers, Inc. to initiate economic development in the area. Cast- South Bend believes that their goals of stimulating
in-place, post-tensioned concrete was selected local development and addressing parking demand
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: because it was more economical than any other were successfully met with this parking facility.
Reinke Construction Company The St. Joseph/Wayne Street Parking Facility was
system considered. The initial construction cost
savings and the lower maintenance costs, made the awarded the 1990 IMPC (Institutional Municipal
decision to choose cast-in-place, post-tensioned Parking Congress) Best Parking Facility Design
concrete the most prudent. Incorporated into this six- Award for a structure under 800 spaces.
tier, post-tensioned concrete frame is 3,600
square feet of retail space at grade level. To help
transfer patrons from an adjacent office and retail
center, two pedestrian bridges were designed and
added to the upper levels.
The architectural expression for this facility was
a primary concern. To maintain the requirements
noted in the City's Master Plan, a brick inlay was
epoxied to the precast concrete facade panels.
The concrete border was sandblasted and
 CARILLON POINT PARKING STRUCTURE, KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON

OWNER:
Skinner Development
The use of cast-in-place concrete for the Carillon to the same standards. The use of a cast-in-place
Point parking structure successfully solved a concrete frame, which allows shallower spandrels
Kirkland, Washington
complex series of problems posed by the project. than other competing systems, resulted in a very
ARCHITECT: Parking structures typically must be handsome finished product.
The Callison Partnership constructed on tight budgets. The use of Finally, it was desired that the structure be
Seattle, Washington concrete for the structural frame resulted in a nearly maintenance-free over its design life.
very economical construction price. Again, the use of high-quality, cast-in-place
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: concrete floor slabs successfully filled this need.
Cary Kopczynski & Company, Inc. Formwork, material specifications, and
construction details were fine tuned to meet the In addition to the use of a very low water/cement
P.S., Bellevue, Washington
unique demands of the project. This resulted ratio, a variety of admixtures were also
CONTRACTOR: in a parking structure of exceedingly high quality incorporated which resulted in dense,
H.S. Wright Construction Co. at a very attractive price. impermeable, and virtually crack-free floors. A
Seattle, Washington Although construction economy was important, fully encapsulated post-tensioning system was
of equal if not greater importance was the necessity used along with a high level of air entrainment
that the Carillon Point Parking Structure blend in the concrete and additional clear cover over
esthetically with the neighboring buildings. The the reinforcing steel. With these quality design
overall character of the project is of extremely and construction features, the Carillon Point
high quality. It was desired that the parking parking structure should maintain its beauty and
structure be designed and constructed durability for many years to come.
The structural system is comprised of a long-
span beam/slab system. Lateral resistance is
provided by a combination of shear walls and
ductile frames. Floor beams are 14 inches by 36
inches, with five-inch slabs spanning twenty feet.
Both beams and slabs are post-tensioned using
half-inch diameter unbonded cable. The seismic
resistance is provided by concrete ductile
frames in the transverse direction. Lateral
loads in the longitudinal direction are carried
by the interaction of the ramps and floors to form
a vertical truss.
 DURABILITY RECOMMENDATIONS
EPOXY-COATED REINFORCEMENT
One of the first and most effective responses to
parking structure durability problems was the use
Post-tensioned concrete parking structures of epoxy-coated reinforcement. The LaCrosse
Center Parking Structure in LaCrosse, Wisconsin,
inherently provide enhanced durability due to the shown in the photo, may have been the first
minimization of cracks that provide access for parking structure constructed with epoxy-coated
corrosive agents to reinforcement. The use of post- reinforcement. Construction of the LaCrosse
tensioning also eliminates most slab joints that Center Parking Structure was completed in
provide access for corrosive agents to beams and 1981. A 1989 inspection of this structure by an
columns. The durability potential of post-tensioned independent inspection agency indicated that the
parking structures has been illustrated by the deck was in very good condition with no apparent
excellent durability performance of many post- durability problems.
tensioned parking garages exposed to aggressive Since epoxy-coated reinforcement has exhibited
environments. Most of these structures were built excellent durability in parking structure
without any specific design consideration of applications, its use in accordance with ASTM
durability. Inspection of a 15 year old parking Specifications (3) and CRSI recommendations (4) is
structure in Baltimore following demolition to suggested in all parking structures in aggressive
make room for expansion of the adjacent office environments (other than Durability Zone I, as
tower concluded, “Visual examination of the defined in Figure 2 on page 30).
unbonded tendons following demolition confirmed
that no significant corrosion had occurred over the
15 year service life.”* (1) POST-TENSIONING TENDONS
Nevertheless, many older parking structures of The Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) pub-
all types of construction have suffered durability lished specifications for unbonded post-tensioning
problems. A survey of 215 parking structures in tendons in 1985 (5) that included special/ durability
Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal stated, “The requirements for tendons used in structures exposed
evidence indicates that durable garages can be built, to aggressive environments. These specifications
and that poor performance must be attributed to provide for watertight encapsulation of the
design and construction practices whose strand used in the tendon over its entire length
effectiveness falls short of that required by the (including watertight closure of tendon ends). The
environment. (2) In recognition of the validity of this specifications also require the use of a specially
statement, the purpose of this section of the formulated corrosion inhibiting grease, and include
brochure is to provide design and construction many other provisions to insure enhanced
recommendations for durability that will ensure durability. Some designers require use of epoxy
LaCrosse Center Parking realization of the excellent durability characteristics coated anchors in addition to the requirements of
of post-tensioned concrete parking structures. the PTI specifications. When tendons,
Structure, LaCrosse,
including anchorages, are fully encapsulated to
Wisconsin the point that they are electrically isolated from the
structure, they are covered by a patent.”

Numbers in raised ( ) refer to references listed at the end of this section.

 MINIMUM PRESTRESS LEVELS
For crack control and durability
considerations, minimum average prestress
levels for primary slab and beam post-
tensioning are recommended as follows:
Zone I Min. P/A = 150 p.s.i.
Zones II, III, CC-I, CC-II Min. P/A = 200 p.s.i.
Mimium P/A for unbonded tendons used as
slab shrinkage and temperature reinforcement to
be 100 p.s.i. in accordance with ACI 318 building
code requirements.
SURFACE TREATMENTS, CONCRETE
ADDITIVES, SEALERS AND MEMBRANES
Studies (7) have shown that the use of Calcium
Nitrite and/or Microsilica as concrete additives are
cost effective methods to enhance the durability of
cast-in-place post-tensioned parking structures.
Initial application and periodic reapplication of a
concrete sealer have also been shown to be cost
effective. Accordingly, use of an additive and/or a
CONCRETE QUALITY concrete sealer is recommended for parking
Many durability studies have conclusively shown structures in aggressive environments. The
that reduction of the water/cement ratio of the referenced studies also show that traffic toppings
concrete reduces the permeability of the concrete (membrane plus asphaltic concrete riding surface)
to corrosive agents. Reduced permeability are significantly more expensive than use of
enhances the corrosion protection afforded by additives or sealers to obtain the same service life.
concrete cover. The relationship between
water/cement ratio and permeability of concrete to CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES
It is recommended that post-tensioning tendons
chlorides is illustrated in Figure 1.(7) Use of a low
be fabricated in a plant certified under the Post-
water/cement ratio is obviously desirable in
Tensioning Institute Program for Certification of
reducing potential corrosion.
Plants Producing Unbonded Single Strand
Durability and resistance to freeze/thaw
Tendons.” (9) Installation of tendons should be
effects are greatly enhanced by use of air-
according to the Post-Tensioning Institute, “Field
entrained concrete.
Procedures Manual for Unbonded Single Strand
CONCRETE COVER Tendons.” (10) Concrete construction practices
The durability recommendations in Table 1 should follow the requirements of the ACI 301-89
provide for increased cover over top slab “Specifications for Structural Concrete for
reinforcement in aggressive environments. The Buildings. (11)
increases consider the normal tolerances for
placing reinforcement. The CRSI Manual of
Standard Practice(8) gives tolerances of ± inch for
placement of reinforcement in members less than 8
inches thick, and ± A inch in members more than 8
inches thick.