Overcoming Geological Challengen

The University of Pittsburgh wanted a new arena constructed for its collegiate wrestling, volleyball, and gymnastics, dance and cheer programs. Due to space constraints for the arena in the university's congested urban setting, the school selected a location atop a previously demolished football stadi- um originally constructed in 1925. The new Victory Heights Arena and Sports Performance Center is nestled between the Peterson Events Center, student residence buildings Panther and Irvis Halls, and other critical campus infrastructure. Due to the site's con- straints, a permanent tied back soldier beam wall system was programmed for the subterranean portion of the arena's perimeter foundation wall, with the soldier beams and tiebacks using a delegated design-build approach and the permanent wall facing being designed by the building's structural engineer of record. Design and construction of the soldier beam wall system required a mix of conventional and unique approaches to address topographical, geological and site challenges. This article will provide an over- view of the approaches to the various challenges, the design concept, effi- ciencies gained through the design assist strategies employed through the early phase of the project, and lessons learned from site and geological dis- coveries uncovered and safely over- come during the physical work.