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TECHNICAL ASSIGNMENTS |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This first technical report investigates the existing building conditions for Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield Headquarters in Parkersburg, West Virginia. A detailed discussion of the foundation, floor, column, and lateral systems are included. Along with these descriptions, plans and elevations are provided for a better understanding of how the building is laid out structurally. A summary of the codes used and material strengths are listed. A detailed lateral load analysis was done to determine wind and seismic loads according to ASCE 7-05. Wind was analyzed using Method 2 of chapter 6, and seismic was determined by chapters 11 and 12. After running the calculations I found that seismic controlled the design. Spot checks of a typical floor bay and column were performed. I found that my loads were conservative and the floor system checked. The lowest level of the column used by the designer was a size smaller than my calculation. Appendices are provided to make available my calculations, figures, and tables. |
Technical Assignments |
User Note: While great efforts have been taken to provide accurate and complete information on the pages of CPEP, please be aware that the information contained herewith is considered a work-in-progress for this thesis project. Modifications and changes related to the original building designs and construction methodologies for this senior thesis project are solely the interpretation of Nasser Marafi. Changes and discrepancies in no way imply that the original design contained errors or was flawed. Differing assumptions, code references, requirements, and methodologies have been incorporated into this thesis project; therefore, investigation results may vary from the original design. |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In this second technical report alternative floor systems were analyzed for Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield Headquarters. Three other systems were analyzed and compared with the original system. When comparing the systems several factors came into consideration: cost, weight, fit to grid, constructability, fire protection, depth, and vibration. The original system is composite steel, spans 30’, and carries the large loads. The other three systems I investigated are:
After exploring these options the concrete floor systems seem to work well for this building. They both reduce the total depth of the floor system and can still span the 30 ft. bays. There will be major changes to the lateral system and possibly foundations if further investigated. Technical report 3 will further look into the lateral systems and further decide if these systems could potentially work for Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield Headquarters.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In this third technical report, detailed lateral analysis for Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield Headquarters was investigated using RAM Structural System and hand calculations. The building utilizes a composite steel system to handle all gravity loads and has 4 steel braces, 2 in each direction, which handle the lateral loads. This report takes a detailed look into the seismic and wind forces developed by hand calculations and RAM Structural System. Sap 2000 and hand calculations were done and used to compare to the complicated analysis done by RAM Structural System.
The results confirm that seismic controls the design of the lateral members in both directions. The computed story shears were similar to the hand calculations with the computer analysis being more precise. Strength and serviceability checks were performed using these loads to ensure that the members were well within code limits. The building was acceptable for story drifts and total drift. Spot checks led me to conclude that drift controlled the design of columns and braces in the lateral members. It has enabled me to conclude, that by using a different bracing layout these members may be able to be reduced achieving a more economical design. This is something I may look into for my proposal.
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Special Thanks to: AES Engineering & Burt Hill Architects Senior Thesis Main Page - The Pennsylvania State University - Architectural Engineering - AE Computer Lab - |
This page was last updated on 4/26/09 by Dominic Manno and is hosted by the AE Department ©2009