WRK provides structural engineering services for new and existing substation structures to our public and private power utility clients. We’ve developed proficiency in the new design, as well as, seismic strengthening of substation buildings and structures. WRK’s comprehensive experience includes leading design teams as the prime consultant on a multitude of seismic strengthening projects for energized facilities. Our experience gives us a unique perspective on delivering creative solutions to complex problems for the design and strengthening of substation structures.
Hunter’s Point GIS Building
San Francisco, California
Provided structural design for this new 13,400 sq. ft. Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) building at the Hunter’s Point Substation in San Francisco, California. The building will be two story above lowest grade with a one story cable tunnel under a portion of the main building floor level. The building will consist of concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls at perimeter. In the case of CMU walls, they will be used for both gravity load support and lateral load resistance. Roof framing structure will consist of wide flange beams with light-gauge metal decking. Ground floor framing will consist of concrete slab on grade and concrete structural slab above tunnel areas. The building exterior envelope will likely include metal panels and/or brick masonry veneer.
Embarcadero Substation Transmission Facility
San Francisco, California
Provided structural design for this new 12,000 sq. ft. transmission bus building at the Embarcadero Substation in downtown San Francisco, California. The building programming includes a cable basement, 230kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) room, MPAC room, viewing room, station service room, 5 ton crane, and battery room. The building structure consists of structural steel framing with two-story pre-cast concrete walls, concrete floors, and roof. The building is supported by a reinforced concrete mat slab. Unique pre-cast cladding elements were used on the building exterior to reflect the street front plaza area outside the building. Also, a green roof was also installed as part of the project.
Shelby Substation Seismic Strengthening
Shelby County, Tennessee
Performed seismic evaluation and developed seismic strengthening construction drawings for this 4,600 sq. ft. unreinforced masonry (URM) control house building in Shelby County, Tennessee. Located near Memphis, Tennessee, the site earthquake demands are expected to be very high, yet the seismic performance objective of Immediate Occupancy was needed. Creative strengthening measures were needed to allow construction of seismic strengthening while keeping the control house fully operational. As part of the project, new CMU shear walls on exterior of building were installed to avoid heavy construction activities inside the building. The building was successfully occupied by TVA without interruption during construction. Both structural and nonstructural systems were addressed to achieve Immediate Occupancy performance.
Weakley Substation Seismic Strengthening
Weakley, Tennessee
Performed seismic evaluation and developed seismic strengthening documents for this 4,500 sq. ft. unreinforced masonry (URM) control house building in Weakley, Tennessee. Strengthening measures included creative design and installation of new steel braced frames on exterior of building to minimize impacts of substation operations during construction. Building was successfully occupied by TVA without interruption during construction. Both structural and nonstructural systems were evaluated and construction documents developed.
Potrero Substation Transmission Facility
San Francisco, California
Provided structural design for this new 16,000 sq. ft. transmission bus building at the Potrero substation in San Francisco, California. The building programming includes a cable basement, 230kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) room, 115kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) room, relay rooms, 5 ton crane, and battery room. The building structure consists of structural steel framing with 34 ft. tall pre-cast concrete walls, concrete floor, and concrete roof. The foundation consisted of a reinforced concrete mat slab on direct displacement columns used for soil stabilization. The equipment manufacturer specification required extremely tight levelness and flatness requirements for the concrete floor system.
"It is good to have a resource with experience to help establish a proper and accurate analysis of the equipment so as to limit cost by getting the design right the first time… WRK is not simply asking us what we want them to do, but they are trying to understand what we want to do, and then use their experience to determine the best way to get there."
Wesley Wills, Southern States LLC.
"The benefit of working with WRK is that they are creative. I work with many engineers that are very conservative–they prefer to stick to standard details. WRK brings innovative solutions and enjoys the challenge of using new technologies that might be less costly and easier to construct. Brian was trained to be innovative, and his firm operates the same way."
Jeff McGraw, MWA Architects
"What separates WRK from other firms is a working, hands-on, experience based knowledge. They’re not just theory based. Everyone, including construction crews, is impressed with WRK’s response time. When we had a question or minor changes, they responded within hours. My experience with WRK has been nothing but good."
Casey Scoggins, Tennessee Valley Authority
"I trust WRK. It isn’t about being the biggest firm, it is about getting the work done correctly."
Matt Weisensee, PacifiCorp
"WRK consistently provides creative solutions for highly sensitive projects. Approaching each project as if it is unique is highly valuable."
Casey Wyckoff, LSW Architects
"The WRK team is easy to work with, knowledgeable, and they have the credentials. They are approachable, they listen, respond and do what they can to meet our needs without argument. Over many years their work has been consistent, always learning and adapting."
Leon Kempner, Bonneville Power Administration
"I value WRK’s nuts-and-bolts approach with their ability to communicate in the field and provide constructable solutions. Historic projects can be convoluted, which can cause structural engineers to jump through hoops. This can be difficult for many engineers, but not WRK. They are great at considering and explaining all of the options with the understanding that structural isn’t driving the design."
Eric Philps, SERA Architects