John Pillar's AE Senior Thesis e-Portfolio
Technical Assignments
Tech assignment 1 is essentially an existing conditions report. In it, the structural systems are described in detail, including general floor framing, lateral resisting elements, foundation systems and columns. Lateral analysis was conducted using ASCE 7-05, and the structural systems were designed according to the loads generated.
Tech assignment 2 is a broad exploration of alternative framing systems. A list of pros and cons associated with each system is generated, and they are ultimately compared against one another to find the most feasible solution. Some systems included are compostite steel, post tensioned concrete, precast structural planks, open web steel joists and the existing flat slab system.
Technical Assignment 3 is a further analysis of some of the topics covered in Tech Assignment 1. The lateral system of the building is re-analyzed and a more detailed distribution of lateral forces is applied. Issues such as drift, story drift, overturning moment and basic strength criteria are addressed. Torsion is also taken into account, as the centers of mass and rigidity come into play. Students may opt to make a computer model of their building to aid in tedious calculations of drift, but the comptuer results must be justified by hand calculations.