Carnegie Building – progress update
15 September 2021
Work on the perimeter foundations of the Carnegie Building is complete, including structurally tying the reinforcing bars through the floor into the foundation concreting. The next stage of work involves the construction of shear walls. This is a key component of the project and is created to resist seismic loads. The shear wall will be built with reinforced steel bars installed into the existing bricks by drilling several thousand holes throughout the building.
Staff and contractors have found that many of the bricks are in very good condition considering they are over 100 years old. However, some of the bricks are no longer structurally sound due to moisture inside the building degrading them.
Contractors will then tie the shear walls to the new perimeter foundations and spray with concrete to connect the earthquake strengthening works together.
