Sensequake and Armstrong-Douglas Structural Engineers conducted multiple tests during the construction of a new mass timber building at San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas.

The San Jacinto College mass-timber building is the largest academic mass-timber structure in the United States, completed in the fall of 2022. The structure was tested throughout its construction to determine the properties of its various sections over time.
 

Using the Larzé sensing system during a few hours of on-site testing followed by in-depth analysis, the following tests were conducted:
 

• Flexibility analysis of the bare CLT panels to determine mid-construction performance and properties of the floor system

• Flexibility analysis of the composite floor system after the addition of the concrete slab to compare the performance states

• Building baseline analysis to determine the characteristics and interaction between each of the three-building wings

All of the information obtained was compiled providing valuable insight for the owner, design team and material manufacturers for optimizing future design and confirming the as-built performance.