This paper presents a unique solution for the seismic upgrade of a 14-story patient tower with a 36-foot tall soft-story. Cross-brace seismic dampers are utilized at the soft-story and they consequently reduce the story drift in half. The upgraded the building achieves the FEMA356 structural immediate-occupancy performance level under code defined 10%-50year seismic event. This unique solution has the following advantages: 1. It is very cost effective and resulted in approximately $1M savings on the foundation work compared to the conventional concrete shear wall seismic upgrade scheme. 2. It simplifies the construction process with minimum disturbances to an occupied hospital facility during construction. 3. It is aesthetically acceptable. 4. It adds structural integrity and improves building life safety. 5. It helps minimize post-earthquake structural and non-structural damage and reduce potential down time and repair costs after a seismic event.
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