Performance Structures, Inc.

Performance Structures, Inc. is a prominent American engineering firm specializing in the design and analysis of complex structures for major construction projects worldwide. Founded in 1990 by leading structural engineers John Martin and William Baker, the company has established a reputation for tackling some of the most architecturally ambitious and technically challenging buildings. Its work integrates advanced computational fluid dynamics, nonlinear finite element analysis, and performance-based design methodologies to ensure safety and innovation.

History

The firm was established in Los Angeles during a period of significant advancement in seismic engineering following events like the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Founders Martin and Baker, both influential figures from the firm John A. Martin & Associates, leveraged their expertise to form a new entity focused on cutting-edge analytical services. Early projects involved collaborations with global architects like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Pei Cobb Freed & Partners on pioneering supertall structures. The company's growth paralleled the international skyscraper boom in cities such as Dubai, Shanghai, and London, requiring sophisticated solutions for wind and seismic loads.

Products and Services

The company provides specialized consulting services rather than physical products, centered on advanced structural analysis and design peer review. Core offerings include performance-based design for extreme events, wind engineering studies using boundary layer wind tunnel data, and dynamic analysis for vibration-sensitive structures like hospitals and laboratories. It conducts progressive collapse analysis in accordance with guidelines from the United States Department of Defense and the General Services Administration. Additional services encompass facade engineering, blast resistance design, and specialized consulting for long-span structures like those found in major airports and stadiums.

Notable Projects

Performance Structures, Inc. has been involved in the structural design verification for many iconic global landmarks. These include the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, where the firm performed critical wind engineering studies, and the Shanghai Tower in China, analyzing its complex twisting form. The company contributed to the structural system of the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles, which features a reinforced concrete core. Other significant projects involve the One World Trade Center in New York City, the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, and the Lotte World Tower in Seoul. Its portfolio also includes cultural institutions like the Museum of Modern Art expansion and major transportation hubs such as the Fukushima Airport terminal.

Technology and Innovation

The firm is recognized for its development and application of proprietary and advanced software tools for structural analysis. It employs high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics simulations to model wind-structure interaction, supplementing physical wind tunnel testing conducted at facilities like RWDI. Innovations include the use of real-time hybrid simulation for seismic testing and advanced finite element modeling to assess composite material behavior. The company's engineers frequently publish research in journals of the American Society of Civil Engineers and present at conferences like the Structural Engineers Association of California conventions, contributing to codes such as the International Building Code.

Corporate Affairs

Headquartered in Los Angeles, the firm operates as a private partnership and maintains a selective team of highly specialized engineers. It has cultivated long-term collaborative relationships with many of the world's leading architectural firms, including Foster and Partners, Kohn Pedersen Fox, and Gensler. The company's leadership, including principals who are fellows of the American Institute of Architects, actively participates in professional committees for the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. Its project work spans over thirty countries across six continents, with a significant portion of activity in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.

Category:Engineering companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Los Angeles Category:Structural engineering firms Category:Companies established in 1990