Moment Frames & Soft-Story Reinforcement

Strengthen vulnerable soft-story buildings using moment frames. These upgrades prevent structural collapse during seismic events by bracing open ground floors while preserving building access and use.

1. Assess Load Paths

Structural engineers identify the open, flexible areas of soft-story buildings most vulnerable to seismic drift.

2. Install Moment Frames

Steel frames are anchored to the foundation and upper structure to create rigid, load-resisting connections.

3. Verify with Engineering

Load calculations and city permitting ensure reinforcement meets seismic code and engineering requirements.

Creates rigid resistance in vulnerable open-floor structures during seismic shaking.

Reinforce while maintaining parking, commercial use, and resident access.

Meets city and state mandates for retrofitting soft-story multi-unit housing.

Boost resale value and qualify for improved insurance terms through retrofits.

Building Owners

Meet compliance deadlines and avoid liability while protecting tenants and investment.

Engineers

Design moment frame systems for optimal strength with minimal impact to usability.

Contractors

Implement steel retrofits quickly with clear installation plans and minimal disruption.