Christopher M. DiLorenzo

Construction Option

2010-2011

 

Butler Health System

New Inpatient Tower

Addition & Renovation

Butler, PA

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 Christopher DiLorenzo. 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.

THESIS PROPOSAL

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This Page was last updated on January 13th, 2010 by Christopher DiLorenzo and is hosted by the AE Department © 2010

 

 

 

[Thesis Proposal]

Senior Thesis Final Proposal discusses the three analyses that will be performed for the thesis report on the New Inpatient Tower for Butler Health System. The analyses include increasing the use of BIM, implementation of a photovoltaic energy system, and utilizing prefabricated mechanical spaces.

Proposal

Analysis 1: Increasing the Usage of Building Information Modeling

The benefits of using Building Information Modeling are now clearly being displayed to project teams and owners throughout the world. This project team has implemented BIM into a couple of key areas for this project. Both 3D Coordination and 4D Modeling have both been utilized for particular portions of the building. The goal of this analysis is to recognize the benefits of using additional BIM uses for this project. The potential uses and benefits of different uses, which are dictated in Penn State’s BIM Execution Guide, will be compared and analyzed for this project.

Analysis 2: Application of a Photovoltaic Energy System

Although this project is known for being a state-of-the-art medical facility, sustainability was one issue that was not addressed to its full extent. Because of the high amount of energy used by hospitals, the idea of adding a photovoltaic energy system will be analyzed. Due to the fact that there is a high cost associated with adding a system of this nature, it will be crucial to look into the lifecycle cost of using this newer technology. The existing energy uses of the building and the potential savings will need to also be incorporated into this calculation. The goal of this analysis is to determine if this system will provide a payback that is acceptable for the owner.

Analysis 3: Implementation of a Prefabricated Mechanical System

With a facility of this magnitude, the schedule was the driving factor due to the costs associated with a hospital’s day to day activities. Because the hospital set firm dates for completion and occupation of the facility, any schedule reducing techniques are worth investigating. As the concept of prefabrication is being introduced more frequently into projects, the idea of prefabricating mechanical spaces and systems are becoming more prevalent. While this has potential to significantly reduce schedule time, there may be cost implications that result. The purpose of this investigation will be to determine if using a prefabricated mechanical system will be feasible for this project. Once the cost and schedule reduction capabilities have been compared, this will lead to a decision based on the owner’s desires.

Renewable Energy/Electrical Breadth

Technical Analysis 2 deals with the implementation of sustainable technologies into the project. In particular, the addition of a Photovoltaic System will be discussed. With the addition of a PV system to the New Inpatient Tower at Butler Memorial Hospital, significant changes would be made in terms of renewable energy. In order to determine if this application of a PV system would be feasible, the amount of energy produced would need to be calculated. The hospital currently is strictly provided energy by the local electric grid. The addition of this system could drastically reduce the amount of energy that is pulled from this grid. This will also reduce the overall energy costs of the building. Hospitals are known for consuming large amounts of energy. With the available roof space for implementing this system, it is possible that large amounts of energy could be produced.

Structural Breadth

Technical Analysis 2 deals with the implementation of sustainable technologies into the project. In particular, the addition of a Photovoltaic System will be discussed. With the addition of a PV system to the New Inpatient Tower at Butler Memorial Hospital, significant When considering the addition of the aforementioned PV array, there will clearly be changes in the loading on the roof system of the new tower. Due to the added structural load of installing an array of photovoltaic panels, the structural system will need to be changed accordingly. This change to the structural system is also an issue that must be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not the addition of this array is economically feasible. Due to this addition, the structural system will have to be changed. Some of the potential solutions include:

- The addition of steel beams or columns to the design.

- The sizes of the existing beams or columns will need to be increased accordingly.

These two solutions will need to be compared for economic purposes. After properly calculating the necessary structural changes, costs will need to be determined and added to the financial analysis.

changes would be made in terms of renewable energy. In order to determine if this application of a PV system would be feasible, the amount of energy produced would need to be calculated. The hospital currently is strictly provided energy by the local electric grid. The addition of this system could drastically reduce the amount of energy that is pulled from this grid. This will also reduce the overall energy costs of the building. Hospitals are known for consuming large amounts of energy. With the available roof space for implementing this system, it is possible that large amounts of energy could be produced.

MAE Breadth

The MAE Requirements of this thesis will be mainly based on two courses in the Integrated Program. In AE 598C: Sustainable Construction Project Management, several different sustainable technologies have been discussed. One of these technologies is the implementation of a photovoltaic system. The in-class discussions and research will be used to provide a basis for this analysis.

In addition to this analysis, AE 597G: BIM Execution Planning will be utilized for the BIM Usage Analysis. During this class, Penn State’s BIM Execution Guide has been thoroughly discussed. With this knowledge, the BIM uses in this guide will be implemented into this project and the feasibility of employing additional uses will be analyzed.

12/8/2010

Proposal

1/13/2010

- Reposted Proposal did not require any changes