SME teamed up with project partners and owner representatives from Project Management Consultants to provide multiple services for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame expansion in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame expansion project began in 2021 and includes a 60,000 sq. ft. expansion of the existing facility along Lake Erie. The addition is a multi-story building with an underground level at lake level.

SME’s geotechnical group utilized our local drill rigs and experienced crews to drill and rock core down  to 130 feet. High variability in the SPT blowcounts indicated that the existing uncontrolled fill on the site was highly variable and was unsuitable for structural support. Additional loading on the fill or disturbance could cause settlement of the fill.

The fill was also underlain by soft to medium stiff clays which will undergo consolidation settlement due to the high loads of the addition. SME provided the design deep with a variety of deep foundation options and recommendations for the encountered groundwater conditions.

SME also worked with the project architect, construction manager, and structural engineer to maximize the capacity of foundations. Seamlessly working alongside the project team is key to efficiently design the complicated foundations for the new expansion.

Seismic site classification was essential for the foundation, initially classified as E due to high vulnerability to vibrations. However, our shear wave velocity testing changed this to classification D, making it more suitable for construction and saving costs for the Rock Hall.

SME’s environmental team monitored for methane releases during foundation work.

Vibration monitoring confirmed that construction activity wouldn’t negatively effect nearby structures, including the Rock Hall’s glass pyramid and the Great Lakes Science Center. Additionally, SME’s construction materials group oversaw the complex foundation installation process.

Construction is heading skyward with slab and frame construction. SME is providing steel, coatings, and nondestructive testing to verify connections and welds. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.