Microlevel Study of Integration in High‐Strength Concrete Innovation

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Abstract
This paper analyzes the process of innovation on the Two Union Square project in Seattle, Washington. On this project, 19,000 psi (131, 005 kPa) concrete—a world‐record high strength—was field placed inside 10 ft (3.05 m) diameter steel tubes to create the main columns for a high‐rise office building. This paper describes the process leading to this innovation, including the owner's commitment to the project, the structural designer's tendency toward innovation, the concrete supplier's progressive developmental efforts, and the interactions between these key players to overcome the inherent uncertainty of innovation. Lastly, this paper develops discussions based on this example of the process of construction innovation, regarding the importance of owner's commitment, importance of having a long‐term perspective, informal R&D for construction innovation, and qualifications of champions in construction.

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