EXPERTISE // PEOPLE

Peter Tarara

Associate Principal and Unit Manager

 
Experience

Peter Tarara joined WJE in 2001 and has broad-based experience with structural investigations, evaluations, analyses, and strengthening of existing structures. His analytical work has included the use of computer models to analyze various structures.

Mr. Tarara has been involved with restoration of several historic, modern, and architecturally significant structures. Most of his experience involves restoration of reinforced concrete structures, including facades, balconies, plazas, and parking garages. These projects have been completed through the investigation, development of repair documents, and construction observation stages. Mr. Tarara has worked on several balcony railing repair and replacement projects as well as several precast concrete structures, including investigation of wall panels and double-tee slabs and connections. Several of his projects have included field and laboratory testing.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Failure Investigation

  • Sixty-Eighth Street Pumping Station - Chicago, IL: Investigation of partial facade collapse of building under repair
  • 8216 South Racine - Chicago, IL: Investigation of partial structural collapse of building under construction
  • IPC Petsmart Precast Warehouse Building - Ottawa, IL: Investigate wall panel building collapse

 

Field Testing

  • 500 West Monroe - Chicago, IL: Davit socket and arm testing for code compliance
  • Chicago Midway Airport Terminal Garage - IL: Failure investigation, field and laboratory testing, and repair of cable barrier restraint system
  • Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Gateway Arch) - St. Louis, MO: Field and laboratory testing of concrete overlay on stairs
  • Midway Airport Economy Parking Garage - Chicago, IL: Precast panel corbel investigation, repair, and load testing
  • Talcott Resurrection Parking Garage - Chicago, IL: Load testing of column corbels

 

Repair and Rehabilitation Design

  • 1010 Lake Shore Drive Building - Chicago, IL: Concrete balcony repairs, including replacement of balcony railings
  • Hemingway House Condominiums - Chicago, IL: Concrete facade and brick masonry repairs
  • Malibu Condominium - Chicago, IL: Concrete balcony repairs, including replacement of balcony railings
  • Beverly Wilshire Hotel - Beverly Hills, CA: Concrete balcony and railing repairs
  • Marquette Building - Chicago, IL: Restoration of facade and cornice
  • Promontory Apartments - Chicago, IL: Exterior facade repair on historic Mies Van der Rohe high-rise
  • Trump Village Buildings - New York, NY: Concrete eyebrow investigation and repair
  • River Plaza - Chicago, IL: Plaza restoration, including slab and waterproofing repairs
  • Sandburg Village South Mall - Chicago, IL: Plaza restoration
  • Pioneer Court Plaza - Chicago, IL: Granite paving and waterproofing restoration 
  • Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Parking Garages - Downers Grove, IL: Precast double-tee flange-to-flange connection repairs

 

Structural Analysis and Evaluation

  • Aloha Stadium - Honolulu, HI: Seismic and wind analysis of existing stadium
  • Chatham Tower - Miami Beach, FL: Structural evaluation of wind and gravity loading using finite element analysis
  • Four Winds Casino Parking Garage - New Buffalo, MI: Shear collar repair on column caps
  • NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building - Titusville, FL: Investigation of metal and fiberglass sandwich facade panels
  • AMC Theatres - Canada: Investigation, analysis, and repair of cracked precast sandwich wall panels
Professional Affiliations

American Concrete Institute
Structural Engineers Association of Illinois  

Registrations

Professional Engineer in IL
Structural Engineer in IL

Education

University of Iowa
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, 2001

Illinois Institute of Technology
Master of Science, Structural Engineering, 2007