2008 Woodie Awards
Chabot retrofits for earthquakes
Paul Burgos
Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: In Focus
Chabot College has been around for 45-plus years since it was built in 1961. However, in recent years it's been the focus of a controversial study of whether the old campus buildings are up to code.
One of the architecture instructors, Tim Steele, comments on how safe the buildings are at Chabot. Steele said that everything seems to be fine especially since the new buildings: 1100, 1400, 3900, and the gym, are all up to the mandated standards. However there are some things that still need to be done to retrofit the old buildings at Chabot.
The likelihood of an earthquake damaging buildings at Chabot is not that great.
With maintenance and structures such as the "I-Bars" (that are made to withstrand earthquakes) the campus can likely survive a massive earthquake without anyone getting hurt. The reason for this is because lateral resistance helps maintain the buildings to be strong and sturdy.
Another reason is because of the campus code compliance with the DSA, Department of School Architecture.
The DSA is responsible for monitoring how buildings are being designed.
During the earthquake of 1989, the buildings at Chabot did suffer damage, but the buildings did not collapse.
However, they needed lateral resistance to be stronger and the buildings were remodified to be stronger against another catastrophe. The DSA does recognize that not all of the buildings at Chabot may not be up to code, but there are plans to change this.
A bond measure was passed in 2004 providing funding to the school for a seismic upgrade.
The seismic upgrade affects both colleges, the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District. The new code of compliance states that the campus must be able to withstand an earthquake as high as with a magnitude of 7.9.
The project is scheduled to be completed some time between 2015 and 2017.
Building plans exist for a new student center, instructional buildings, parking lots, gym, athletic center and a new central air and cooling system.
How safe is Chabot from an earthquake?
Steele stated, "The buildings are well built and are good enough to keep everybody safe."
Regarding the older buildings, Steele said that the buildings are not a significant threat to the college because the old buildings were made with some dry wall resealant, which makes the buildings resistant to major cracks and prevents corrosion to the foundation, making the campus earthquake safe.
Is this campus safe for the next big one? According to Steele, "Yes. Though the campus may suffer some damage, the buildings are able to get people out safely after a major earthquake."
So what does the future hold for Chabot College? It brings new safety requirements, safety measures and retrofits that will make this campus as well as Chabot's sister college, Las Positas, some of the safest campuses for years to come.
One of the architecture instructors, Tim Steele, comments on how safe the buildings are at Chabot. Steele said that everything seems to be fine especially since the new buildings: 1100, 1400, 3900, and the gym, are all up to the mandated standards. However there are some things that still need to be done to retrofit the old buildings at Chabot.
The likelihood of an earthquake damaging buildings at Chabot is not that great.
With maintenance and structures such as the "I-Bars" (that are made to withstrand earthquakes) the campus can likely survive a massive earthquake without anyone getting hurt. The reason for this is because lateral resistance helps maintain the buildings to be strong and sturdy.
Another reason is because of the campus code compliance with the DSA, Department of School Architecture.
The DSA is responsible for monitoring how buildings are being designed.
During the earthquake of 1989, the buildings at Chabot did suffer damage, but the buildings did not collapse.
However, they needed lateral resistance to be stronger and the buildings were remodified to be stronger against another catastrophe. The DSA does recognize that not all of the buildings at Chabot may not be up to code, but there are plans to change this.
A bond measure was passed in 2004 providing funding to the school for a seismic upgrade.
The seismic upgrade affects both colleges, the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District. The new code of compliance states that the campus must be able to withstand an earthquake as high as with a magnitude of 7.9.
The project is scheduled to be completed some time between 2015 and 2017.
Building plans exist for a new student center, instructional buildings, parking lots, gym, athletic center and a new central air and cooling system.
How safe is Chabot from an earthquake?
Steele stated, "The buildings are well built and are good enough to keep everybody safe."
Regarding the older buildings, Steele said that the buildings are not a significant threat to the college because the old buildings were made with some dry wall resealant, which makes the buildings resistant to major cracks and prevents corrosion to the foundation, making the campus earthquake safe.
Is this campus safe for the next big one? According to Steele, "Yes. Though the campus may suffer some damage, the buildings are able to get people out safely after a major earthquake."
So what does the future hold for Chabot College? It brings new safety requirements, safety measures and retrofits that will make this campus as well as Chabot's sister college, Las Positas, some of the safest campuses for years to come.
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