In February 2023, we committed to a plan to strengthen the carports so they will be better able to withstand a strong earthquake. Specifically, we signed an agreement with an experienced local engineering firm to draw up a design that we can put out to bid with several contractors in spring 2023. The firm we went with, Silicon Valley Civil and Structural Engineering, did the design work for a similar retro-fit project at Vista del Lago.
Given the benefits of such a project, we are anxious to get started. If all goes smoothly, we may be able to start construction in mid-2023 and finish by the end of 2023. As stated above, the goal of such a project would be to enable Kentfield to survive an earthquake with little or no damage.
Here is a presentation containing step-by-step pictures of how another homeowners association (HOA) in the South Bay strengthened their vulnerable soft-story building with tuck-under carports, construction very similar to Kentfield's buildings, to make them more survivable in an earthquake. And here are videos of a construction crew member describing in detail what this HOA did to strengthen their carports:
Video 1: What their carports look like (similar to Kentfield)
Video 2: Problem statement - Original pillars were thin and inadequate
Video 3: Base prep, Step A - Digging out the base to a 4' depth
Video 4: Base prep, Step B - Building a rebar cage, then filling with concrete & epoxy
Video 5: Base prep, Step C - Shoring up building, fastening vertical I-beam to high strength base using large anchor bolts
Video 6: Top connection - Connecting vertical I-beam to horizontal I-beam in building using high strength welds
Video 7: Summary