MICHAEL O. SPEAR
STRUCTURAL OPTION
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
CENTER FOR DRUG EVALUATION AND RESEARCH
OFFICE BUILDING 2, WHITE OAK, MD

 


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THESIS PROPOSAL

In this Thesis Proposal, the purpose of the upcoming research involving the Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office Building 2 (CDER2) was established.  CDER 2 is a new six story office building for the FDA.  This office, located in White Oak, Maryland- north of Washington DC, is responsible for the investigation into drugs.

One challenge facing the designers of CDER2, was the potential for terrorist attacks and other threats on the building’s structure and its occupants.  For the purpose of this thesis, the problem of progressive of collapse shall be reevaluated for an alternate steel framing system.  Plus, blast and explosion loading will also be considered for the new steel structure.  Through research and computer modeling of various load cases, the structure will be designed to protect the occupants from these potential disasters.

Breadth Topics

In addition to the structure, the façade will be evaluated for its blast resistance capabilities.  In particular, the atrium’s glass curtain wall and the various punch windows will be analyzed and, if necessary, redesigned to accommodate the blast requirements.  However by changing the glass properties, other aspects of the building may change, such as day lighting and thermal loads.  These and other related concerns will be addressed.

Changing the structure to steel will present new fire protection issues.  Both active and passive fire protection systems will be researched and implemented.  Also, effective placement of the systems will also be considered; again, the blast loading concerns will be addressed.

 

 
 


 
 
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