Spring Proposal Contents

 

This report will focus on identifying opportunities and problems on the project that can be anlazed through engineering analysis of systems and alternative designs andmethods will be implemented to better fir the project.Research for each of the four anlaysis will enable students the oppotunity to offer potential solutions procedures and posative project outcomes.

 

 

 

 

Analysis 1

The first analysis will focus on the redesign of the building’s exterior façade system and an alternative design to the original façade. The problem that the General contractor faced on previous projects was the constructability of metal panel façade system. A selected alternative will be proposed and focus on cost, structural and mechanical properties of this alternative design. The overall goal of this analysis is to propose an alternative that eliminates sequencing issues in the construction of the building envelope as well as increasing thermal efficiency of the system through value engineering. Also, a structural evaluation will be evaluated to see if this proposal meets loading requirements and is a valuable alternative to the original exterior façade design.

 

 

Analysis 2

The second analysis will focus on method of concrete placement throughout the project. The equipment and labor costs of the pump boom placement will be compared to the equivalent costs for the alternate crane and bucket placement using RS Means. The evaluation of productivity, safety and crane usage statistics will be conducted in relation to each method and owners expectations. The goal will be to conduct a comparative analysis for concrete placement methods and provide the proper option based on value added to the project attributes.

 

 

Analysis 3

The second analysis will focus on prefabrication of the super structure compared to the traditional stick built construction process of superstructures. The analysis will include, transportation, crane usage, site utilization, and budgetary schedule impacts. The overall goal of this analysis is to provide a means of schedule reduction and eliminate constructability challenges.

 

 

Analysis4

The last analysis will focus on the supply chain of prefabricated steel. As relating to analysis 3 this analysis will focus on the delivery method of a typical flatbed truck compared to a barge due to projects waterfront location. This analysis will have an in depth case study to focus on critical issues will prefabrication and size restrictions on typical flatbed trucks. The overall goal of this study is to see if the alterative barge deliver system is more cost effective, opportunities to accelerate schedule, reduce crane/ man-hours on jobsite, and ultimately reduce congestion throughout the jobsite. These two delivery methods will be compared by evaluating necessarypermits required, codes, manufacturer locations and size constraints. If the barge can carry more items with larger prefabricated members can allow for this project to be expedited.

 

 

 

 

 

Breadth Studies

 

 

Overview

As part of the Senior Capstone Thesis, each student is required to provide a demonstration of 

breadth skills in Architectural Engineering. Within the analysis, there exist several possibilities

to focus on and exhibit these skills in varying engineering activities that relate to the AE 

curriculum. Breadths that are included in the final report are evaluated within construction-
related depth analyses, and could include both mechanical and structural analysis.

 

 

Mechanical Breadth

The first breadth analysis proposed will be evaluated within the exterior façade system 

Redesigning depth and will focus on mechanical efficiency. The mechanical study will focus on 

determining different cooling/heating loads based upon the change in thermal resistance factors 

for the different façade systems. These systems will vary in thermal resistance properties 

(Known as R-values), which will result in different cooling/heating loads handled by the units 

within the buildings office spaces. The offices are chosen due to a significant portion of the 

building envelop contains a majority of the building’s façade system. An energy analysis will be 

performed to compare the alternate system to its original façade design to ensure the redesign 

will not prompt the current mechanical system. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the alternative 

design that the capacities in the office spaces are sufficient in handling the alternative loads. If 

these capacities are exceeded than the alternative design will work for this project and no other 

alternatives are needed. Three systems will be analyzed and the one system that best suites this 

project will be chosen based on efficiency.

 

 

Structural Breadth 

The second proposed breadth will also be included within the exterior façade system redesign. 

The focus on this analysis will be structure related. As a result of the selection of the alternate 

façade system for the building, dead loads imposed by the exterior wall on the steel 

superstructure will change. In order to determine the feasibility of the selected alternative, a load 

analysis will be performed to ensure the ability of the original design can carry the new alternate 

loads. This will be analyzed by focusing on a typical bay containing the most significant portions 

of the alternative façade system. A cost analysis will be performed for both the original and new 

alternative design and will be broken down into cost per bay to ensure the best option is 

implemented. If the current strength of the columns can’t support the new loads than an alternate 

system will be chosen. Connections of this system will also be analyzed. Whichever is 

considered to be the best design will then either stay or be proposed for the structural breadth 

analysis.

 

 

 

 

Spring 2016 AE Senior Capstone - Student Schedule