The Foundation of Parking Garage Design

Effective parking garage design starts with an understanding of local environmental factors, traffic patterns, and architectural considerations. Structural engineers focus on creating resilient structures that can withstand the unique challenges posed by the United States south and northwest’s climate, including fluctuating temperatures, humidity, and precipitation.

Key design considerations include:

• Material Selection: Choosing the right materials, such as robust concrete mixes and protective coatings, is crucial for resisting deterioration from moisture, deicing salts, and exhaust fumes.
• Drainage Systems: Efficient drainage is vital to prevent water pooling, which can accelerate corrosion and degradation.
• Load Distribution: Structural analysis ensures the garage can safely accommodate vehicle loads, minimizing stress on structural components.
• Accessibility and Flow: Optimizing the layout for easy vehicle and pedestrian movement enhances user experience and safety.
• Future-Proofing: Incorporating adaptability for evolving vehicle types, charging stations, and potential technology integration ensures longevity.
• Structural System: Steel and precast concrete parking structures have the lowest initial cost but the highest maintenance cost. Post-tension reinforced concrete structures have the highest initial cost but the lowest maintenance costs. 

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Proactive Maintenance: Your Shield Against Costly Repairs

The most effective strategy to avoid significant repair costs is a proactive maintenance program. Our approach involves comprehensive condition assessments that go beyond surface-level observations. We identify immediate concerns, areas requiring further investigation, and recommend targeted maintenance activities to extend the facility's life.

We partner with Atlanta and Seattle property owners to ensure their parking structures are not only safe and functional but also a valuable, long-lasting asset. By prioritizing smart parking garage design in Atlanta and Seattle and implementing proactive repair and maintenance strategies, we help safeguard investments. Contact us today to learn more!

Why Façade Inspection Matters

As buildings age and regulatory scrutiny heightens, regular facade inspections are now vital. Let’s explore current standards, why they matter, and what you should expect in 2025. 

• Extreme weather triggers: Even wind speeds below 40 mph—as experienced during Tropical Depression Irma—have caused facade failures in downtown Atlanta, despite facades being designed for 90 mph wind loads.
• Aging building stock: Atlanta and Seattle have many decades old structures. With time, materials age and defects accumulate, increasing chances of cracks, corrosion, and loose finishes if unaddressed.

Beyond the Inspection

Here are some additional tips for maintaining your building’s facade:

• Schedule regular cleanings: Dirt and grime buildup can trap moisture and accelerate deterioration. The frequency of cleaning will depend on your location and environment.
• Address minor issues promptly: Don’t let small cracks or loose caulking become major problems. Fixing them early will save you money in the long run.
• Work with qualified professionals: Hire experienced inspectors and contractors for facade inspections and repairs. They can identify potential problems and recommend the best course of action.

Read more about façade inspection on our website!

Utilize the IEI Advantage for Your Facade Inspection!

Did you know that a structured self-inspection of your building can prevent problems before they start and before anyone gets hurt? What may appear as an insignificant defect can turn into a big problem if ignored.

Our state-of-the-art techniques provide a very thorough condition assessment and facade inspection. The time to know the true extent of any deficiencies is now, not after closure of downtown streets or worse, personal injury, death, and/or property damage occurs. Contact us today!

Why Inspect Building Facades?

1. Public safety

Cracks, spalling, or loose panels can endanger pedestrians and occupants. Inspections identify such hazards early.

2. Cost control & value preservation

Preventative maintenance helps avoid expensive failures down the line, preserving your building’s aesthetics and market value.

3. Regulatory compliance

13 jurisdictions (e.g., NYC, Milwaukee) mandate facade inspections to preempt incidents like falling debris.

Unlike many major U.S. cities with mandatory facade ordinances (e.g., NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta and Seattle currently have no municipal law requiring periodic facade inspections. However, per the International Property Maintenance Code, building exteriors must be maintained in good repair, structurally sound, and not endanger public safety or welfare.

Consequently, many Atlanta building owners choose to inspect their facades proactively to reduce liability risk and protect occupants and passersby.

Read more about façade inspection on our website!

Utilize the IEI Advantage for Your Facade Inspection!

Did you know that a structured self-inspection of your building can prevent problems before they start and before anyone gets hurt? What may appear as an insignificant defect can turn into a big problem if ignored.

Our state-of-the-art techniques provide a very thorough condition assessment and facade inspection. The time to know the true extent of any deficiencies is now, not after closure of downtown streets or worse, personal injury, death, and/or property damage occurs. Contact us today!

Don’t Defer Routine Parking Structure Maintenance!

There are many factors that influence how long a parking structure will last and at what point you will need to tear it down and rebuild.

How can you avoid expensive repairs or a rebuild in the future?

Parking structures are directly exposed to the elements, unlike a building structure that’s protected by a building envelope. Exposure includes moisture, freezing temperatures, deicing salts, thermal expansion and contraction, and dynamic vehicle loads.

Whether your parking structure is a multi-level garage or a few below-grade levels under a high-rise building, proactive condition assessment and diligent maintenance are imperative.

If problems are ignored, the harsh environment in garages will quickly accelerate deterioration into hazardous conditions.

Many see the outwardly rugged nature of a parking structure and assume that they are indestructible and require little maintenance. Unfortunately, this is simply not true. Many parking structures lack a true building envelope, and instead leave their structural components exposed to the elements. This leads to deterioration starting before construction has even completed.

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Innovative Engineering Specializes in Parking Structure Restoration

We help owners with parking structure restoration and reducing costs. Unlike most other building systems that are protected by a conditioned building envelope, parking structures are directly exposed to the elements which results in exponential or accelerated deterioration.

Our engineers are glad to walk your facility and let you know about any conditions that require immediate attention. Since the back of IEI business cards contain a crack gauge, you can easily evaluate any cracks within your structure to determine if it is of concern. Give us a call today!

Routine Parking Structure Maintenance Can Prevent Long-Term Costs

High-cost structural issues in parking garages often stem from common culprits such as water infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, chloride attack from de-icing salts, and the natural aging of materials. These issues can lead to concrete cracking, spalling, rebar corrosion, and ultimately, a compromised structure. The good news is that many of these issues are preventable with consistent care and attention.

Addressing small issues promptly is significantly less expensive than tackling large-scale repairs. A comprehensive preventative maintenance plan should include:

• Invest in Effective Waterproofing and Protective Coatings: Applying high-quality traffic-bearing membranes and protective coatings to the parking surfaces creates a barrier against water, chlorides, and other corrosive agents.
• Regular Cleaning: Removing dirt, debris, and corrosive substances like de-icing salts prevents them from penetrating the concrete and accelerating deterioration. Power washing can be an effective way to remove stubborn residues.
• Crack and Pothole Sealing: Sealing cracks and repairing potholes prevents water and chemicals from infiltrating the concrete layers and reaching the reinforcing steel.
• Drainage System Maintenance: Clogged or damaged drainage systems are a major contributor to water accumulation and subsequent damage. Regularly cleaning catch basins, drains, and pipes ensures water is effectively channeled away from the structure. Proper grading and slope of the parking surface are also critical for effective drainage.

Read more on our website! 

Innovative Engineering Specializes in Parking Structure Restoration

We help owners with parking structure restoration and reducing costs. Unlike most other building systems that are protected by a conditioned building envelope, parking structures are directly exposed to the elements which results in exponential or accelerated deterioration.

Our engineers are glad to walk your facility and let you know about any conditions that require immediate attention. Since the back of IEI business cards contain a crack gauge, you can easily evaluate any cracks within your structure to determine if it is of concern. Give us a call today!

Why You Can Trust Your Historic Building to a Structural Engineer

According to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, “working with a trained professional to determine the condition of your property will help you identify and prioritize the challenges and opportunities unique to your historic property… once you’ve determined the scope of your project, you’ll need to find a contractor to help you complete the work.”

Hiring the right historic restoration contractor is key, as the preservation of historic properties can be complex. Issues they may encounter include:

• Lead and other hazardous building materials used before 1978
• Non-standard building materials and methods
• Building practices that no longer meet code
• Addressing current ADA accessibility requirements
• Aging and damaged structural elements

Trust Your Historic Building to IEI for Commercial Property Inspection in Atlanta

With age, the façade of your building may experience degradation due to normal wear and tear and chemical exposure. Moisture, either penetrating the exterior or escaping the interior of a building, can cause rust and deteriorate supports. Water vapor pressure trapped within the veneer along with freeze/thaw action (also called sub florescence) can result in cracks and spalls. Building movement in the form of shortening, caused by creep and shrinkage, and foundation settlement can cause cracks, spalls and buckling of the façade. Differential expansion and contraction, caused by temperature and moisture changes, can also lead to similar failures. As one can imagine, northern climates experience more severe façade degradation compared to southern climates due to the colder temperatures, significant snowfall, extended periods of below freezing temperatures, and larger seasonal temperature changes.

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Learn about the IEI Advantage Today!

IEI’s expertise is trusted by owners and property managers of all sizes, including some of the nation’s largest property portfolios. In addition to answering the request for advice, consulting, and peer reviews, IEI is sought after for their expertise in the form of educational speaking events for national organizations as well as articles in major national publications.

Contact us today to get a quote and see how we can help you with commercial property inspection in Atlanta to keep the historic value of your building alive.

The Role of Structural Engineers in Historic Building Preservation

Preservation of historic buildings is so important to keeping our rich cultural heritage alive. How can you make sure your building continues to stand the test of time?

Condition Analysis and Structural Assessment

Structural engineers help the preservation process by:

• Conducting comprehensive assessments of the building’s structural integrity including the facade
• Looking for signs of deterioration, understanding the impact of environmental factors, and assessing load-bearing capacity
• Can utilize new technologies like laser scanning and thermal imaging to detect problems the human eye can’t see

Read more on our website!

Learn about the IEI Advantage Today!

IEI’s expertise is trusted by owners and property managers of all sizes, including some of the nation’s largest property portfolios. In addition to answering the request for advice, consulting, and peer reviews, IEI is sought after for their expertise in the form of educational speaking events for national organizations as well as articles in major national publications.

Contact us today to get a quote and see how we can help you with commercial property inspection in Atlanta to keep the historic value of your building alive.