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ASHA National Office

2200 Research Boulevard

Rockville, MD 20850

Ryan Dalrymple           Structures Option

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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 Ryan Dalrymple. 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.

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The revised thesis proposal posted on 1/14/11 includes minor changes in the structural depth including reducing the number of floor systems being considered. The revised thesis proposal also includes additional details on the architectural breadth.

 

The revised thesis proposal posted on 4/1/11 includes minor changes in the architectural breadth.

 

Structural Depth

 

The proposed thesis is a redesign of the office tower’s structural system using reinforced concrete rather than steel framing. This will create continuity between the sub-grade parking structure and the office tower. In addition, using concrete eliminates the need for spray fireproofing. Concrete does not require any additional fireproofing treatment to meet the fire codes, which will help speed up the construction process and save money. The need for column base plates and anchor bolts where the steel structure meets the concrete structure is eliminated, which will also help reduce the cost of the project.

Two types of reinforced concrete floor systems will be considered. The first floor system that will be considered is a one-way slab and beam system. This floor system allows for flat ceilings between beams, and allows for wide column spacing. The second system that will be investigated is a two-way flat slab system with drop panels. This is the system that is used in the sub-grade parking structure, so the continuing this system in the office tower may help reduce the cost of the structure.

Redesigning the structure as a reinforced concrete structure will impact the structure in multiple ways. The lateral system will have to be completely redesigned. The existing braced frames will have to be replaced with shear walls if the natural moment connections of the concrete are not sufficient to resist the lateral loads. In addition, the higher self-weight of the structure will require larger foundations.

 

Breadth Studies

 

Redesigning the structure as reinforced concrete will affect the cost and schedule of the project. For this reason, an in-depth study will be done on the cost and schedule impacts of redesigning the structure. The overall cost and a construction schedule will be determined for the concrete structure. The cost and schedule of the redesigned concrete structure will be compared to that of the existing composite steel structure, and feasibility of the redesign will be determined.

 

Another study that explores the architectural affects of changing the structure to concrete will be done. The two-way flat slab system will require the need for two more column lines. The impact of these additional columns on the office tower floor plan will be considered. The plaza level will be the floor that is most affected by these additional columns. This is due to the conference rooms that are located on this level. The floor plan will be rearranged in order to work with the new structural column layout. Research on cubicle sizes will be done, and a cubicle layout will be created for part of the plaza level.

 

MAE Requirements

 

The MAE requirement for this class will be met by utilizing ETABS and other computer modeling programs. By generating computer models of the building, the course material taught in AE 597A- Computer Modeling of Buildings, will be directly applied to this thesis project. Although the building is being redesigned as a reinforced concrete structure, if any steel connections need to be designed, the material taught in AE 534-Steel Connections will be used to do so.

 

Click here or on the link above to see a pdf version of the thesis proposal.  Posted 12/10/10

 

Click here or on the link above to see a pdf version of the revised thesis proposal.  Posted 1/14/11

 

Click here or on the link above to see a pdf version of the revised thesis proposal.  Posted 4/1/11