Miller Consulting Engineers provided structural engineering services for the development, design, and construction of a new method for seismically upgrading one of Portland Public School District’s URM buildings. The new method is called the Masonry Composite Earthquake Rehabilitation System. Many buildings constructed in the early to mid-1900s were constructed using hollow clay tile walls that left cavities for running mechanical piping and ducting, constructing lockers and cabinets, and for placing other recessed finishes. While clay tiles were originally used because it was considered fire resistant and economical, it is likely to collapse during an earthquake. Seismically strengthening these types of walls can be expensive and time consuming. These factors combined with a concern for public safety and a limited budget created a need for a new solution to this  problem. The Portland Public School District encouraged MCE to seek out a better option to the standard strengthening methods. Combining their experience utilizing urethane for commercial refrigeration panels and their seismic expertise, MCE created a new and innovative method for seismically strengthening cavity walls. For the Portland Public School District, this new method resulted in a savings of over 75% above traditional methods.