NYC Times Square Seismic Isolated Sign
This sign, located in busy Times Square in NYC, is a truss structure similar to a bridge. In this case, the sign acted like a sail creating uplift forces, necessitating the need for bi-directional uplift expansion bearings.
Therefore, RJ Watson was selected by Weir Welding Company in 2013 to supply 2 anti-uplift seismic isolation bearings for this Times Square sign structure located at 1552-1560 Broadway in New York City.
The anti-uplift seismic isolation bearings, manufactured by R. J. Watson have a vertical service load if 200-340 kips. The 200 kips bearing was designed to limit the uplift deflection to a maximum of 0.06″. It was also designed to move +/- 3″ in both the longitudinal, and the transverse directions, and allow for 0.01 radians of rotation. The 340 kip bearing was designed to limit the compression load deflection to 0.10″. It was also designed to move +/- 3″ in both the longitudinal and the transverse directions, and allow for 0.02 radians of rotation.
The design was completed by R. Scott Lewis, P.E., Structural Engineers for the owner, The S. L. Green Realty Corporation. The bearings were installed in Late Summer 2013.