DASSE has completed multiple structural models of schools, hospitals and corporate office buildings using Revit—the latest in Building Information Management (BIM) technology. During the design phase, we employ structural analysis programs to efficiently size the structural elements and use “clash detection” processes for enhanced coordination with architectural 3-D models generated from Vector Works and Revit Building. This allows us to efficiently create a completely coordinated building model and extract 2-D plans to create conventional construction documents.

Also, DASSE is working with steel fabricators to stream-line the creation of shop drawings by interfacing the designer’s structural steel model directly into the fabricator’s model via Navis works software. As a result, shop drawings will be created more quickly and accurately, leading to tremendous financial savings.

DASSE has provided structural engineering services recently on several LEED certified "green" buildings. Structural systems selected for compatibility with the energy design and conservation goals have included high volume fly ash concrete, structural steel framing (which is manufactured almost entirely from recycled products) and lumber from "Certified Well-Managed Forests." Energy innovation features in these projects include:

• Advanced natural ventilation
• Raised floor for gentle air distribution and space flexibility
• Extensive natural day lighting
• Site orientation and plan layout for energy efficiency
• Water conservation
• Radiant heating
• Concrete thermal mass elements
• Photovoltaic panels

A partial list of DASSE Design's Sustainable Design Projects include the following:

• Columbia College Science Building
• Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies
• San Mateo County Youth Services Center
• Morgan Hill Courthouse

Certain facilities have a need for higher seismic performance levels than the minimum standard of life safety inherent in the building code. Using the principles of Performance Based Engineering (PBE) DASSE can provide seismic designs which achieve more predictable, better defined seismic performance for certain levels of site-specific ground motion in order to control property loss and business interruption within acceptable levels.

Working closely with major corporate and civic clients the firm has provided key information regarding seismic performance levels (fully operational, operational, life-safe) and anticipated functional interruption/down-time periods for these facilities together with associated construction cost information to assist facility owners in making informed decisions regarding the "Total Cost of Ownership."

Implementation of earthquake protection technologies with proven effectiveness in reducing earthquake damage to structures and their contents, which minimizes the risk to interruption of critical operations and reduces the cost of repairs.

• Seismic isolation
• Energy dissipation systems

DASSE Design, Inc. has been responsible for the structural engineering on over 20 buildings designed to essential facilities standards for civic and corporate clients, including police and fire stations, sheriff's facilities, emergency communications centers and unique corporate facilities. Using the principles of Performance Base Engineering (PBE), DASSE provides enhanced seismic designs of essential facilities that are expected to provide more reliable seismic performance with less damage than would be expected with a minimum code-based approach. With a PBE approach, DASSE strives to achieve a predictable, defined seismic performance with limited facility damage and operational interruption for site-specific earthquake ground motions. Seismic restraint of M/E/P utilities and user equipment is also essential to complete the overall seismic design of the building systems in conjunction with the structural frame to maintain post-earthquake operational capabilities.

DASSE has provided services for the seismic restraint of M/E/P utilities and user equipment for corporate clients concerned with limiting damage and downtime from major earthquakes. For user equipment, DASSE has developed special seismic bracing criteria for the anchorage of user equipment including raised access floors, computer equipment, lab equipment, etc. to complete the overall seismic design of the building systems consistent with the owner's stated seismic performance goals.

DASSE has performed structural and seismic evaluations for government and institutional clients for hundreds of buildings. Many of these evaluations have led to developing structural and seismic strengthening documents. These evaluations have included buildings of all types of structures including historic buildings and archaic materials.

Many seismic assessment projects consist of evaluating large groups of buildings on multiple sites including offices, laboratories, retail, schools, recreation facilities, hospitals, jails, warehouses, etc. DASSE always uses the most current seismic evaluation methodology available and applies the knowledge gained through studying earthquake damage of similar building types. The firm places a heavy emphasis on preparing well-organized seismic evaluation reports with thorough explanations and detailed graphics. Seismic hazard reports are tailored to each client's specific needs and established seismic performance goals. Seismic deficiencies can be categorized into life safety, continuous operation or collapse prevention, depending on the desired performance objective. Strengthening measures can be prioritized for implementation relative to the severity of the hazards.

DASSE has been instrumental in the successful application of innovative solutions for seismic retrofits of existing and historic buildings leading to reduced construction costs and minimal disruption to building occupants. DASSE's senior engineers are experienced in the seismic assessment and retrofit of older structural systems, together with the creation of seismic strengthening schemes which are sensitive to the historic fabric of the buildings. DASSE also has extensive experience in utilizing performance-based seismic design concepts to develop more logical and practical design solutions than otherwise would have been achieved.

Over the last ten years, we have found increasing emphasis on the limitation of floor vibration to the range of 500-4,000 micro-inches per second (mips) for academic and corporate research laboratories and for microelectronics fabrication facilities. These design criteria have most recently been applied to our work on university and biotechnology research laboratories.

DASSE has extensive experience working with expert vibration and acoustic consultants to determine the natural frequency and amplitude characteristics for various framing alternatives. As a result, we have developed a thorough knowledge of the combination of concrete fill, beam stiffness and bay size which produce desirable vibration features. DASSE has developed proprietary software to rapidly test and refine framing schemes to meet client-specified limits. This software has been successfully applied for biotechnology and university research facilities.

DASSE has a long history of providing the structural engineering for projects which feature exposed or expressed structure as an armature for the architecture. We recognize the process of integrating exposed structure into innovative designs which are architecturally significant is a team effort that requires consideration of the special aspects of the design of exposed structural members and connections as both architectural and structural design solutions develop.

DASSE regularly consults to architects in the complete design of new buildings - we are more than "shell" engineers. For architects, we provide input on anchorage and bracing of partitions, ceilings, stairs, user equipment, canopies, retaining walls and other adjacent site features. DASSE also provides services for the seismic anchorage of M/E/P utilities and equipment, with special emphasis on limiting damage and downtime from major earthquakes. In existing buildings, DASSE has extensive experience with complete renovations and adaptive re-use of buildings from conventional office functions to complex telecommunications build-outs.

DASSE has provided structural engineering services for many Design-Build projects including corporate campuses and multi-building projects which required an aggressive design and construction schedule. DASSE's accelerated design services include the production of foundation, early mill order, superstructure and build-out construction document packages. DASSE has refined procedures for the preparation of calculations and structural drawings which address the requirements of the building department for construction permitting, the needs of the general contractor for bidding, and for the subcontractors to place mill orders and to begin the preparation of shop drawings and fabrication.