Rutherford + Chekene—Your expert partner in navigating San Francisco’s new non‑ductile concrete screening and strengthening requirements.
Reinforced concrete buildings designed and constructed prior to the introduction of modern seismic design code provisions for ductile response generally are referred to as nonductile concrete buildings. These buildings generally lack sufficient steel reinforcement and proper structural member configurations to allow a ductile response to absorb earthquake energy. These buildings tend to have a sudden, brittle mode of failure that can lead to significant structural damage.
San Francisco’s Concrete Building Safety Program will require seismic safety screenings—by a licensed structural engineer—for up to 4,000 buildings built before approximately 1984 to identify the non‑ductile concrete buildings among them.
This screening will lay the groundwork for future mandates. Acting early gives property owners crucial time to plan and budget thoughtfully.
Deep local and technical expertise: Our structural engineers know San Francisco’s seismic codes inside and out. Our work spans universities, hospitals, commercial properties—designed to keep occupants safe while respecting budgets, timelines, and operations.
Full‑service, end‑to‑end support: Seismic safety screenings, in‑depth evaluations, peer/constructability reviews and second opinions, strategic retrofit planning and design, and turn‑key design‑build coordination (if applicable).
With 65 years of practice and an integrated team of structural and geotechnical engineers, R+C has delivered thousands of projects across Northern California, including some of San Francisco’s most complex seismic retrofit and modernization efforts. Our multidisciplinary approach enables us to anticipate risk, streamline decision-making, and deliver pragmatic solutions tailored to each facility’s performance goals and constraints.
Proven, research‑driven solutions: R+C is at the forefront of seismic risk mitigation—combining innovative modeling, resilient retrofit strategies, and hands‑on constructability insights.
• Peace of mind — know your building’s classification and risk potential.
• Cost control — early planning can save significant dollars.
• Operational continuity — minimize disruption to tenants and users.
• Future readiness — be ahead of mandatory timelines and demands.
Please fill out the form below for more information and free initial consultation.
Schedule your screening consultation. If your building has been misidentified, we’ll work proactively to help you challenge that designation.
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