12 December 2008: THESIS PROPOSAL

20 January 2009: REVISED THESIS PROPOSAL

For the purposes of upcoming thesis reports, this proposal outlines the student’s ideas and plans for his design of the Smilow Cancer Center. Aside from informing consultants and faculty of thesis intentions, this proposal is meant to be a guideline for the student as to the type of progress to be achieved and when.

For the depth study, the student has decided to investigate the idea of progressive collapse and its effects on different types of structural systems. Hence, the current steel structural system of Smilow Cancer Center is to be redesigned into a reinforced concrete structure, with both existing and alternate systems being analyzed for progressive and disproportionate collapse failures. Relevant to the field of building failures, the student will also study the possibility of implementing a blast-resistant wall system in certain areas of the building. This will account for the breadth portion of the thesis. Also, a full three dimensional computer model will be generated for both structural systems as a part of the M.A.E. requirement.

To ensure the thesis is progressing smoothly, a general timeline of tasks and activities has been generated. Although it is preliminary, the timeline will hopefully give a good idea of the student’s plan for completing his own design for Smilow Cancer Center.