REINSURANCE GROUP OF AMERICA (RGA) GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS
16600 Swingley Ridge Road
Chesterfield, MO
Natasha Beck
Structural
 
 
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Proposal

To view the first revision of the proposal for January 17, 2014, click the cover page below.

 

To view the original proposal, click the cover page below.

 
 
 

Structural Depth               

This new request presents structural challenges. First, the gravity system will see an increased load to support, so the current gravity system will need resized for new loading. Specific attention will be given to the cantilever truss system and its supporting members. Adding extra weight to roof members also in the cantilever support system increases their flexure and axial tension interactions which becomes critical for member resizing. Depending on the weight distribution of the green roof on top of the cantilever, it may either help mitigate the cantilever's overturning force couple or add to it, which could require an overhaul of the roof's supporting structure. Secondly, adding an intensive green roof garden adds significant seismic mass and, in turn seismic force, acting on that roof level. This will cause the lateral system to be stiffened to handle the higher seismic load while still operating within acceptable drift limits.

In addition to structural challenges, the plan of the green roof garden must respect the existing project's concept and aesthetics. Significant cost, logistics, and schedule implications will be considered going forward as well. These topics are elaborated upon in the following Breadth Study section.

 

Breadth Topic 1: Architecture/Landscape Architecture

The roof garden breadth will consider appropriate plantings, maintenance concerns, construction issues like drainage and waterproofing, code and safety requirements, and the relationship of the public spaces to the plantings. Plantings are largest and heaviest in intensive green roofs and may be seen from the surrounding roadways and buildings, possibly changing the site's architectural skyline. The landscape, green space, and public spaces of the roof garden should have their own artistic language that complements the existing building project. For this reason, this breadth will begin with research into precedent projects, fundamentals of green roof construction, roof garden arrangement, and code requirements. Then, iterations and evaluations of the design will be conducted until a successful one emerges. Communication of the chosen design will be presented in sketches, 3D visual models, and renderings for its creation, refinement and assessment.

 

Breadth Topic 2: Construction

A second area of study will evaluate the detailed cost, construction logistics, and schedule for the intensive green roof garden implementation. A detailed cost outline of the green roof garden showing the additional project cost along with a detailed cost comparison of the structural changes will be completed. This cost outline will include materials, labor, crew sizes, and other relevant details to obtain an accurate additional project cost. On the logistics side, a study will explore the material arrival on site, storage, and installation needs of the green roof garden and the structural revisions to pinpoint additional considerations needed. Finally, the current project schedule will be revised to include the green roof garden. Both the revised and the original project schedules will be compared to determine how the construction schedule is influenced by adding the green roof garden.

 

 
 
 
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 Natasha Beck. 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.
This page was last updated on 1/17/14, by Natasha Beck and is hosted by the AE Department ©2014