Vernon Elementary School

Tasked with strengthening an aging unreinforced masonry (URM) school building while working within a limited budget, MCE pioneered the Masonry Composite Earthquake Rehabilitation System (MCERS)—a groundbreaking method for reinforcing hollow clay tile cavity walls. By combining advanced urethane technology with structural engineering expertise, the new system dramatically improved seismic performance while reducing retrofit costs by more than 75% compared to conventional strengthening methods.

 

The award-winning solution provided Portland Public Schools with a safer, more economical retrofit approach and established a new method for upgrading vulnerable masonry buildings in seismic regions.

 

AWARDS

2001 Oregon Chapter of ACEC - Engineering Excellence Grand Award

2002 ACEC - Engineering Excellence National Honors Award