SDSU-Imperial Valley Sciences and Engineering Laboratories

Coffman provided structural, civil, and fire protection engineering services for the new Sciences and Engineering Laboratories building on the existing San Diego State University (SDSU) Brawley campus. The two-story, 65,000 sf lab and classroom building houses science, technology, chemistry, engineering and mathematics programming.

The project site is located in an extremely high seismic region with challenging desert soil conditions. The structural design of the building utilized exterior concrete tilt up walls to deliver a redundant seismic system while also providing durability in the harsh environment. This construction type also helped support the accelerated construction schedule. Steel-framed floors were designed to meet stringent vibration criteria for second floor laboratory spaces housing sensitive equipment. The structural scope also consisted of a steel framed lobby stair with integrated seating and a steel framed courtyard canopy with solar panels for shade and PV capabilities.

The civil scope included preparation of a topographic survey and site design encompassing mass and precise grading, stormwater management, ADA accessibility, site utilities, sewer pump station design, fire access, and construction administration. The extremely flat site, low infiltration rates, lack of nearby storm drain infrastructure, and limited available utilities presented significant challenges. Civil design required coordination with the Imperial Irrigation District, the county’s electric provider, and the City of Brawley to accommodate sewer capacity and connect to the existing public sewer system.

The fire protection engineering services included coordination with the State Fire Marshal and the laboratory consultant to establish appropriate occupancy and hazard classifications based on chemical quantities remaining below exempt thresholds. The team also worked closely with the architect and lab consultant to develop control area strategies aligned with chemical types and locations, as well as with the State Fire Marshal and the Imperial County Fire Department to address fire department access requirements.

The project achieves the university’s goal to expand STEM academic programs and build up Imperial Valley, home to one of the world’s largest sources of lithium, as a leader in clean energy. The new instructional and research space helps expand the research activity of SDSU-Imperial Valley.

Images courtesy of Here and Now Agency