Most people tend to associate structural engineering with primarily designing for the safety of a building or other structure. However, an equally important aspect to structural engineering is designing structures to so-called “serviceability” standards. Serviceability design of structures generally relates to building performance beyond those associated with life-safety. Examples of serviceability design are vibration, deflection, and durability. Serviceability “failures” represent an overwhelming majority of building issues and directly impact occupant comfort and maintenance costs. Serviceability issues can be very easy to overlook during design & detailing, are more complex to mitigate, and require a unified effort between the structural engineer and architect.

Essentially all building components are affected by serviceability design, but structural engineers must pay particular attention to:

– Floor system performance

– Expansion and other movement joints

– Material selection for exposed structure and harsh environmental conditions

– Structure interaction with non-structural building components, such as partitions, cladding, and waterproofing

Satisfying building code minimum standards will not alone address the proper serviceable design of a building. It is critical that the design team collaborate early in the project design to identify important serviceability design considerations for successful long-term building performance.

Morabito Consultants was founded in 1983 with the goal of providing superior client services and efficient designs for a diverse array of structures.  Over the past 38 years we have developed an extensive portfolio of innovative structures that meet and exceed our clients’ needs and specifications.  Our website was long overdue for a project database refresh, and we are happy to say that it has finally started!  This fall we are working to update project photos and descriptions highlighting some of our most prestigious, interesting, and frankly coolest projects!  We encourage you to check out the new and improved Projects page on our website.  Keep an eye out for future blog posts highlighting some of our key projects from years past.

MC recently conducted a site visit at Brightview Innovation Center in Herndon, Virginia to review the construction progress. Donohoe Construction Company is currently erecting joists and setting formwork for the Hambro slab at Level 5.  Once complete, the building will consist of 6 levels of Hambro slab supported by a two-way flat plate at Level 2 for a total of 7 framed floors. The engineers at MC enjoy being hands on and making visits to active construction sites to see our designs come to life. We pride ourselves on being contractor friendly and are always working towards continuing to provide the most efficient designs for construction.

Morabito Consultants is proud to team with St. John Properties and Colimore Architects to begin design on a new 105,000 square-foot self-storage building in Hanover, Maryland. Site development limitations have resulted in the transition from a 5-story design to a unique 7-story storage building. Design is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 with construction to begin spring of 2022. Stay tuned for additional updates. 

Morabito Consultants worked alongside Ziger/Snead Architects to renovate Unity Hall, a historic union hall located on Eutaw Street in downtown Baltimore. The structural improvements included floor & roof reinforcement, the addition of an elevator and an exterior ADA ramp, plus the creation of a new raised stage among other miscellaneous upgrades. Check this article from the Baltimore Sun for more information on this worthwhile project intending to unite the local community!  Baltimore Sun – Unity Hall 

MC is hiring a new Administrative & Marketing Assistant. Check the ad above and forward to anyone who may be interested!  Email resumes to [email protected]

Demolition and site work is underway at 601 S. Broadway in Baltimore as part of a major renovation to transform four connected structures at the corner of S. Broadway and Fleet Street into new apartments and commercial space. The renovations will add up to three stories to the existing structure all while preserving and restoring the historical features of the existing structures. Large portions of the original exterior façade shall remain serving to honor the existing buildings history while seamlessly transitioning into the new vertical expansion and renovations. MC is proud to partner with Seto Architects on this exciting project located in the heart of Fell’s Point.

The process of “carbonation” of concrete is a double-edge sword. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has acknowledged carbonation as a significant absorption process of carbon dioxide. This represents a unique ability of concrete structures to act as a ‘carbon sink’ that other building materials do not have. In combination with newly emerging environmentally friendlier cement technologies, MC sees a bright future for concrete construction.

https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf

The past year has certainly been full of challenges, but we have all persevered. Here at MC we’ve even found new and creative ways to continue producing the innovative high quality work our clients have come to expect from us. In honor of Labor Day, we tip our caps to all those in the workforce who have stepped up and pushed forward in the face of adversity. Morabito Consultants wishes everyone a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!