Sr. Thesis Kickoff Seminar

SENIOR THESIS KICKOFF SEMINAR Design and Construction of Enron Field
AE Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2000
The AE Department was pleased to host the annual AE Senior Thesis Kickoff Seminar on April 19, 2000 at the Nittany Lion Inn. The featured speaker was Mr. Douglas Ashcraft, Vice President of Walter P. Moore and Associates in Houston, TX. The topic of the seminar was “Design and Construction of Enron Field - A New Retractable Roof Ballpark for the Houston Astros.” The Ballpark at Union Station, now officially known as Enron Field, will cover, or uncover, a brand new state-of-the-art baseball field. There will be 85,000 kn of air conditioning that will lower the outside air temperature from 98°F to 76°F in approximately four hours. The largest electronic scoreboard in baseball will be hung in center field. A 150% scaled replica of an old steam locomotive, complete with billowing steam and whistle, will move its way across a low track in centerfield every time the home team smashes a homerun. But what the fans will likely remember most is the fact that over 9,000 tons of roof moved over 400 ft across the sky in twelve exhilarating minutes. Three independent retractable roof panels are supported on three ft diameter steel flanged wheels. Sixty of those wheels are driven by 7.5 hp, 460 volt, three phase electric motors. Each end of each roof panel rides on single 175 lb ASCE hardened rail. The upper roof panel is 242 x 586 and is framed with four steel box trusses 30 ft wide and varying in depth from 28 ft to 40 ft. The lower panel is 120 ft x 528 ft and is framed with two similar box trusses. A three-inch-deep, 18 gage acoustical roof deck is supported on 24 in. deep castillated beams spanning between box trusses. The roof trusses are approximately 210 ft above the playing field. The outside shape of the moving roof is meant to mathematically simulate the flight of a batted baseball. Unique to this project is the fact that a 110 ft high glass wall, providing panoramic views to downtown Houston from the right field stands, also moves with the roof panels. The roof structure is supported on 14 in. wide flange columns that bear upon 6 x 4 steel transporter girders that house the independent wheel suspension system. In order to mitigate the deflection and vibration from hurricane-force winds, hydraulic dampers have been utilized within the roof truss system. The presentation highlighted the engineering challenges posed by the design and construction of the retractable roof structure.

SENIOR THESIS KICKOFF SEMINAR
Design and Construction of Enron Field

AE Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2000

The AE Department was pleased to host the annual AE Senior Thesis Kickoff Seminar on April 19, 2000 at the Nittany Lion Inn. The featured speaker was Mr. Douglas Ashcraft, Vice President of Walter P. Moore and Associates in Houston, TX.

The topic of the seminar was “Design and Construction of Enron Field - A New Retractable Roof Ballpark for the Houston Astros.” The Ballpark at Union Station, now officially known as Enron Field, will cover, or uncover, a brand new state-of-the-art baseball field. There will be 85,000 kn of air conditioning that will lower the outside air temperature from 98°F to 76°F in approximately four hours. The largest electronic scoreboard in baseball will be hung in center field. A 150% scaled replica of an old steam locomotive, complete with billowing steam and whistle, will move its way across a low track in centerfield every time the home team smashes a homerun. But what the fans will likely remember most is the fact that over 9,000 tons of roof moved over 400 ft across the sky in twelve exhilarating minutes.

Three independent retractable roof panels are supported on three ft diameter steel flanged wheels. Sixty of those wheels are driven by 7.5 hp, 460 volt, three phase electric motors. Each end of each roof panel rides on single 175 lb ASCE hardened rail.

The upper roof panel is 242 x 586 and is framed with four steel box trusses 30 ft wide and varying in depth from 28 ft to 40 ft. The lower panel is 120 ft x 528 ft and is framed with two similar box trusses. A three-inch-deep, 18 gage acoustical roof deck is supported on 24 in. deep castillated beams spanning between box trusses. The roof trusses are approximately 210 ft above the playing field. The outside shape of the moving roof is meant to mathematically simulate the flight of a batted baseball. Unique to this project is the fact that a 110 ft high glass wall, providing panoramic views to downtown Houston from the right field stands, also moves with the roof panels. The roof structure is supported on 14 in. wide flange columns that bear upon 6 x 4 steel transporter girders that house the independent wheel suspension system. In order to mitigate the deflection and vibration from hurricane-force winds, hydraulic dampers have been utilized within the roof truss system.

The presentation highlighted the engineering challenges posed by the design and construction of the retractable roof structure.

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