Welcome to Walt Nichols' AE Senior Thesis e-Portfolio
Thesis Proposal
Depth Work : Lighting
The depth and breadth proposals summarize the areas of the Hawthorn Building that I will be focusing on in the spring semester. The unique uses for some of the rooms as well as the multipurpose uses in others create some challenges to meet illuminance design criteria and maintaining acceptable power allowances at the same time. My lighting design emphasis is going to be providing adequate levels of light as well as doing it in a clean and efficient way.
Depth Work : Electrical
From analysis in technical assignment 2, I found that the electrical distribution system in my building is largely oversized. In my electrical depth work, I am going to do loading calculations using NEC 2002 as a guide, resize the panel boards, wires, conduits, and breakers. From here, I am going to see if it is possible to use a smaller distribution system instead of the larger, existing system. If a smaller system can be used, a cost analysis will be calculated to see if it is worth switching to a smaller system.
Breadth Work : Mechanical and Construction Management
Other areas of architectural engineering that I want to explore include an acoustical redesign of the music room, as well as a cost comparison between economic fixtures and lamps vs. the existing fixtures and lamps. Due to the mechanical equipment being located directly above the music room, a mechanical redesign might be taken into consideration as well.