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Bracing for next phase in dental expansion by Megan Fink Public Relations If architecture is petrified music, according to 19th century author and scholar Felix E. Schelling, the music to come from the College of Dental Medicine’s new clinical education center site may be a little loud.   A rendering of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine—Clinical Education Center. The center is scheduled for completion in summer 2008, and is named in honor of oral surgeon and MUSC President Emeritus Dr. James B. Edwards.   Starting in early June, crews will begin driving pilings deep into the earth creating the center’s foundation. Anyone close to campus can expect to hear the rhythmic raps and even feel the vibrations of the pile driver hard at work.   Since this process could disrupt the flow of traffic and even personal concentration, the Department of Engineering and Facilities is working closely with contractors and staff to accommodate the needs of everyone affected. John Malmrose, chief facilities officer, explained the area of most concern is within 75 feet of the construction site. Using this measurement as a rule of thumb, Malmrose said, “Seventy-five feet away, the disruption would be minimal.  We’ll monitor vibrations, but we can’t predict what they’ll be.”     If a problem is detected, alternatives will be considered. Substitute measures can be costly, but money has been set aside for unexpected events, he said.  Noise is guaranteed, but the amount of ground-shaking depends on soil characteristics. Philip Mauney, director of engineering, said that because of the soft layers of soil near the surface, “You don’t hit solid material until you get about 70 feet down. That’s what you’re driving the pile into.”     This situation is not unusual for construction in downtown Charleston. What is unique to construction on campus is the proximity of sensitive equipment and animals in research facilities. “It’s a little different having your pictures on your wall vibrate than having the microscope and other equipment not working right,” said Malmrose.  “It’s that research mystery we don’t know as of yet. It can’t be known until we start doing it.”     Previous development projects on MUSC’s campus have also included the driving of piles and have been noisy, but nondestructive.   Pile driving is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Work will not continue into the weekend unless special permission is granted by Engineering and Facilities to let crews finish a particular task. Weather also could delay the project, extending hours of operation.     Because of increased activity on Bee Street, which is also the only entrance to the construction site, traffic will be heavier than normal. Motorists can expect detours and various traffic controls, including truck escorts, surrounding the site. Road closures also may be issued by the City of Charleston, but none are designated at this time.   For more information contact Philip Mauney, director of engineering, at 792-2490 (mauney@musc.edu). Friday, June 1, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.