Cost-effective solutions for a complex geology give rise to Cincinnati Children's Critical Care Building

Client

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Location

Cincinnati, Ohio

Challenge

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center wanted to add a nearly 632,000-square-foot critical care building on the hospital’s main campus, the largest expansion it had undertaken in its 138 years. Due to Terracon’s previous successful projects with the medical center, we were chosen to provide geotechnical and construction materials testing and inspection services.

Test borings revealed an unwelcome surprise: in a large area, glacial meltwaters water had eroded the top layer of rock, which was then backfilled with lacustrine and glacial till soils. Foundation recommendations would need to carefully consider the building’s various and large structural loads and the complex geology.

The materials testing and inspection teams encountered challenges as well. Mid-project, the client added professional firestopping inspections to the scope, requiring us to provide qualified and certified inspectors up to the task. 

Solution

Terracon’s familiarity with the hospital site was invaluable once borings revealed challenging soils and erosion conditions. Terracon’s historical data and engineers with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center project experience assisted in providing estimated contour maps for the various foundation types and capacities to assist the structural engineers and architects with the building design. 

Our geotechnical team recommended high-capacity drilled shaft foundations. With the shafts being drilled into the strongest part of the soil and rock profile — competent gray shale and limestone bedrock — they could properly support anticipated heavy building columns and wall loads. 

Shallow foundation and lower capacity drilled shaft support recommendations were provided where single-story structures, entry areas, and retaining walls with lighter loads were anticipated. “Our experience and familiarity with the area enabled us to provide recommendations that helped the designers take advantage of the geology and save money,” says Jeff Dunlap, P.E., geotechnical group manager.

The eight-level reinforced concrete structure required many types of materials testing and inspections, from post tensioning to structural steel to seismic inspections. When the client determined they needed a more highly skilled crew for firestopping inspections than the client could provide, Terracon technicians became certified and got the job done.

Results

Cincinnati Children’s critical care expansion was completed on budget and six months ahead of schedule. It opened to patients in November 2021, enabling better care for children in the area and patients from all over the world.

Recognition

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital critical care building was recognized by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America as the nation’s best new building or renovation in the $126 million or more category.