Outstanding Project Award Winner: Climate Pledge Arena Project-Video

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The presentation describes the renovation of Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair. Because the roof and façade were historically protected, the project retained the 44-million-pound roof while excavating up to 53 feet below it to expand seating and add parking, a loading tunnel, and other facilities.<br /><br />The roof was temporarily supported during excavation using about 3,000 tons of steel shoring. Engineers developed systems for the perimeter Y-columns, lateral-support chevrons, and a heavily loaded south buttress. The project’s schedule was exceptionally compressed: design, installation, load transfer, excavation, permanent construction, and removal of the shoring were completed within about two years.<br /><br />For earth retention, the team selected a soldier-pile-and-lagging system to accommodate complex site geometry, utilities, changing designs, and varied ground conditions. Special challenges included four ventilation and access “snorkels,” a temporary arena access ramp, and a tunnel portal. A virtual-reality model helped coordinate the temporary works, permanent structures, and utilities.<br /><br />The speakers emphasized close collaboration among engineers, contractors, and designers. The project included roughly 650 soldier piles, 2,400 permanent tiebacks, and extensive drilled-shaft and excavation work. During questions, they noted that roof movement was monitored during jacking and excavation, and that temporary seismic loads were included in the design.

Keywords

Climate Pledge Arena

Seattle renovation

soldier pile and lagging

roof shoring

excavation

temporary works

structural engineering

earth retention