Kristen Eash

Thesis Research

Research tools utilized within STUDENT BUILDING.

Site Visit 11.2-3.05

I visited the REDC building and performed a number of differnet tasks. While there I asked workers and people on the project team what they foresee as problems with the building as well as issues with the systems over the building's lifespan. I aso atteneded a job conference. The last thing that I did was do a wind speed analysis using a solomat wind speed detector.

Responses:
• All cable trays in the server rooms are regular cable trays but the ones through the remainder of the building are ladder trays. This takes up more space and is harder to run wires. (Telecom worker)
• The mechanical room distributions are weird. Finishes in the A section can’t be completed due to the fact that the mechanical rooms haven’t been finished and tested. This means that this area of the building can’t be comleted. Plus a commissioning agent being staffed on site and isn't being well utilized until this the mechanical room is opperational. He doesn't have enough to do now. (Turner Rep.)
• There are issues with the roof design. It has been thought that the flat roof will crack with poor weather and that EPDM would be better. (PSU Maintenance)
• There is issues with access to Mechanical rooms. If there is a problem with a AHU there is no way to get most of them off or out of the building. There is one on the roof that is covered by an overhang that is now inaccessible. And there is a knee wall blocking the ones on the 2nd floor from being brought out how they were brought in. (PSU Maintenance)
• There is no site access (driving) to any of the north side of the building. (PSU User)
• There have been issues with the metal paneling on other buildings in this area. The panels have been having issues with buckling and not sealing at window areas. Also where the panels are joined this sealing strip has been known to deteriorate within the first five years of building operation. (PSU Maintenance)
• An auditorium is being added to the building now that it is +80% completed. This is going to go out to bid soon. Will it be cheaper this way or as a negotiated C.O. (Webber Murphy Fox Architect)
• The sky lights for the building all have joists running through them. (PSU Construction Rep.)
• There are problems with the layout of the loading dock. The safety of the transformes adjacent to it for one and the slope and narrowness of it during the harsh winter conditions for another. (PSU Construction Rep.)

Wind Speed Analysis:
Solomat Data Results

Skylight Research - This is all the research and results found from the skylight analysis

Cladding Research - This is all the research and results found from the claddinganalysis

Windmill Research - This is all the research and results found from the windmill analysis

WBE/MBE SolicitationResearch - This is all the results of the survey involved with the industry research topic