Analysis Topic 1: Maximizing Building Information Modeling Investments

In the construction industry today many projects are beginning to use Building Information Modeling for system coordination and design.  This topic will aim to determine if the high initial investment can result in providing and facilitating even more than 3-dimensional coordination in an easier to use organized manner.  Through the use of the BIM Ex Plan and other resources this topic will cover Industry Research and Constructability Review.   

Analysis Topic 2: Optimizing Value Engineering

Value Engineering is a topic that is a systematic method to adding “value” to a project, in this analysis the goal is to evaluate the potential savings from value engineering alternative solutions to LEED design elements that are often over looked during the Value Engineering Process.  A focus will be on reducing or eliminating the green roof with little to no impact on LEED points.  The topic will discuss Industry Research, Value Engineering and Schedule Reduction.

Analysis Topic 3: Alternative Exterior Wall Assemblies

The exterior masonry walls on this project are a schedule risk in numerous ways.  This analysis will provide two alternative assemblies for the structural elements of the exterior walls.  A breadth analysis will also be covered under this section in mechanical energy use with the alternative wall properties.  Core areas of study to focus in for this topic are Value Engineering, Constructability Review and Schedule Reduction.

Analysis Topic 4: Alternative Steel Truss Construction

The gymnasium and natatorium at HD Woodson High School are spaces over 100 feet between supports and continuous steel trusses are used to span the distance.  These trusses were shipped in a single piece from Delmar, Delaware to NE Washington DC.  This analysis will propose splicing the trusses to ease shipping costs and efforts.  A structural breadth will be completed in this topic and the focus areas will be Value Engineering and Constructability Review.

Breadth Analyses

STRUCTURAL

Structural breadth will be demonstrated in the Value Engineering Optimization, analysis two.  Looking at the reduction of green roof loads and reducing structural steel will provide a demonstration of structural breadth.  The analysis needed to determine the feasibility will allow the determination of cost reductions and the allowable reduction in steel member sizes.

MECHANICAL

Within Analysis two, the proposed exterior wall assemblies will have differing R and U values that could result in a change in the buildings energy use.  In order to show breadth, a study of energy use will be done with existing designs and proposed designs to demonstrate the impact of changing the exterior walls, for constructability, on the mechanical system.