Parisek Engineering

Structural design for second story major additions. Design-build team Maura and Mark Abrahams are specialists in renovations and additions to 1920s thru 1950s craftsman style homes in the midtown area of Sacramento. In the designs, one of the major goals in updating the space and livability requirements of their clients' homes is to accomplish this with minimal impact to the spirit and aesthetics brought to the project by the original designers of homes. When completed, the homes should not be distinguishable from ones done in the actual period.

This presents structural engineering challenges, requiring application of advanced wood frame design techniques so that modern codes and earthquake safety standards can be fully incorporated into the designs without compromising architectural considerations.

Performed structural engineering and design for the contractor. This approximately 9,000 sq. ft. home was featured as a "Concept Home" for the local PBS TV station, for a program on home design and construction.

Home was built on a retaining wall foundation, to support the home on a slope down from the front yard. Construction utilizes the slope by setting the 2nd story at the level of the front yard, with the lower level (not visible from street) below. Home was approx. 6,500 sq. ft. Performed structural design and calculations.

Custom home of approx. 6,500 sq. ft. Provided structural design and calculations to the client.

Custom residence remodeling project. Kitchen remodeling and installation of 24 ft. wide openable wall system required re-analysis of the lateral support system for 2/3 fo the home. Engineering work enabled the architect's intenst to be adhered to fully, by providing a cost-effective solution to the structural challenges.

Structural design for second story major additions. Design-build team Maura and Mark Abrahams are specialists in renovations and additions to 1920s thru 1950s craftsman style homes in the midtown area of Sacramento. In the designs, one of the major goals in updating the space and livability requirements of their clients' homes is to accomplish this with minimal impact to the spirit and aesthetics brought to the project by the original designers of homes. When completed, the homes should not be distinguishable from ones done in the actual period.

This presents structural engineering challenges, requiring application of advanced wood frame design techniques so that modern codes and earthquake safety standards can be fully incorporated into the designs without compromising architectural considerations.

Structural design for new custom residence. The tower featured in the photo was designed as a moment-resisting wood frame structure, limiting the employment of of costly steel construction for this project. Other challenges were able to be met in the design, where expansive open areas were designed and constructed with wood framing construction and engineered trusses.

Structural design for second story major additions. Design-build team Maura and Mark Abrahams are specialists in renovations and additions to 1920s thru 1950s craftsman style homes in the midtown area of Sacramento. In the designs, one of the major goals in updating the space and livability requirements of their clients' homes is to accomplish this with minimal impact to the spirit and aesthetics brought to the project by the original designers of homes. When completed, the homes should not be distinguishable from ones done in the actual period.

This presents structural engineering challenges, requiring application of advanced wood frame design techniques so that modern codes and earthquake safety standards can be fully incorporated into the designs without compromising architectural considerations.

Building established in the late 1800s as a pony express stop. This structure has the original basement, with the original foundation constructed of large rocks & boulders from the area. A mine shaft opens into the basement, and extends approximately 3 miles.

A major challenge was to preserve the original rock foundation and mine shaft while reusing many of the original interior and exterior architectural features. The use of the building as a holistic medical consortium required updating all features to current code standards.

Building established in the late 1800s as a pony express stop. This structure has the original basement, with the original foundation constructed of large rocks & boulders from the area. A mine shaft opens into the basement, and extends approximately 3 miles.

A major challenge was to preserve the original rock foundation and mine shaft while reusing many of the original interior and exterior architectural features. The use of the building as a holistic medical consortium required updating all features to current code standards.

Bridge over Lake Natoma, in the town of Folsom, CA, referred to as the "Folsom Bridge". Some unique features of this structure were the utilization of light-weight concrete in the superstructure, and the addition of the purely decorative, non-structural arches seen in the photo. Columns in the lake bed extend 30 ft. into solid granite. Responsibilities for this project were the analysis and design of the north support columns, shown in a subsequent photo.

View of columns at the north span. The columns shown in the photo are supported by cast-in-drilled-hole piles up to 35 ft. in depth, and were designed to support in excess of 3,000 kips (3,000,000 lbs.) each. Columns varied in heights from 14 ft. to 30 ft.

This project encompassed 23 bridges and flood walls. Click here to view the entire slide show on this project.

Ritschard Dam, with access road. Worked as on-site engineer with oversight of construction activities, engagecd with a large multi-national engineering firm.

Emergency overflow spillway at Ritschard Dam, with access road. Worked as on-site engineer with oversight of construction activities, engaged with a large multi-national engineering firm. The concrete structure picture is founded in loose to cemented shales, and is located to the west of the dam.

Emergency overflow spillway at Ritschard Dam, with access road. Worked as on-site engineer with oversight of construction activities, engaged with a large multi-national engineering firm. The concrete structure picture is founded in loose to cemented shales, and is located to the west of the dam.

Earthquake risk assessment and analysis for 150' x 50' partially underground enclosed concrete structure housing major control and switching equipment for the BART Hayward system. Roof of structure serves as a station, and supports double track for trains running both directions. Worked as project engineer for BRG Engineering, a bridge and rail structure specialist.

Work was performed with colleague Dr. Fang Li, an expert in advanced computer modeling and the seismic retrofit design of large bridges. The structure is critical to the operations of the BART system, and so the ability of the structure to be functional after a prescribed level of ground motion during predicted seismic events was critical. Underground structures present unique challenges when subjected to motion caused by seismic activity. The structure was analyzed, deficiencies were located and types of failures were predicted, and strengthening measures were designed.