Rehabilitation Option for Masonry Walls
CenterCore Strengthening System for Seismic Hazard Reduction of Unreinforced Masonry Bearing Wall Buildings. The CenterCore technique (full height reinforced/grouted vertical cores centered in the masonry walls) has been utilized in more than 100 projects to strengthen Earthquake Hazardous buildings. From experiences with these projects, many lessons have been learned and improvements made in the process. The CenterCore technique of reinforcing unreinforced masonry (URM) walls was developed with the aid of a National Space Foundation Grant in 1984.

Restoration and Rehabilitation
Expect the Unexpected. Restoration and rehabilitation projects present numerous challenges to structural engineers, most discovered after construction commences. This article describes two restoration projects in which structural engineers met project challenges with a cadre of tools, and lots of ingenuity.

On the Cover... Cover photo courtesy of Breiholz Qazi Engineering, Inc. For photographic and clarity purposes, safety equipment is not shown. Construction Safety practices would require fall protection, hard hat, etc.