Welcome to Caitlin Ferrell's AE Senior Thesis e-Portfolio
Technical Assignments
Proposal
Depth: A structural system must be designed to resist gravity and lateral loads while accommodating the proposed architectural floor plan, which has large open spaces on the bottom floors. The chosen system is a steel frame with hollow core precast concrete plank floors, however this choice of a hybrid system makes coordinating construction trades difficult. In order to span the long distances needed, while keeping open spaces, a feasible alternative is a staggered joist system. A further analysis of alternate floor systems can be completed in order to change the system from a hybrid structural system to an all steel system. Both a pre-cast plank system will be investigated and designed, as well as a steel joist with slab system. From these two designs, an economic and feasible design can be made.
Breadth:
Construction Management- Because the coordination of trades is so difficult in a hybrid system, a comparison of the hybrid system schedule versus a non-hybrid system will be completed.
Mechanical- In order to take advantage of the waterfront location of the site, an open loop heat rejection system to lake water will be analyzed for a cost comparison between the peak energy costs of the current system versus an open loop heat rejection system.
Technical Assignment 1 - Structural Concepts and Existing Structural Conditions Report
This report is an in depth investigation of the structural system of the Erie Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel. Included is an overall view of the structural framing system, foundation system, and lateral force resisting system. A gravity, wind, and seismic analysis is also included for further analysis and spot checks of members.
Technical Assignment 2 - Structural Study of Alternate Floor Systems
This report contains a comparison between the existing hollow core precast concrete plank floor system of the Erie Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel with four alternative systems. This analysis includes member sizing as well a comparison between fire protection, weight, vibrations, cost, and depth.
Technical Assignment 3 - Lateral System Analysis and Confirmation Design
This report includes the calculation and results of the wind and seismic story forces acting on the Erie Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel. From these forces, loading combinations were analyzed and evaluated to find the controlling case. Member checks were carried out to check for strength, as well as story drift, overturning moment, and torsional effects.