DAVID S. FINLEY

STRUCTURAL OPTION

SILVER SPRING GATEWAY
SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND

This is a student-generated Capstone Project e-Portfolio (CPEP) produced in conjunction with the AE Senior Thesis e-Studio.

User Note: "While great efforts have been taken to provide accurate and complete information on the pages of CPEP, please be aware that the information contained herewith is considered a work‐in‐progress for this thesis project. Modifications and changes related to the original building designs and construction methodologies for this senior thesis project are solely the interpretation of David S. Finley. Changes and discrepancies in no way imply that the original design contained errors or was flawed. Differing assumptions, code references, requirements, and methodologies have been incorporated into this thesis project; therefore, investigation results may vary from the original design.”

Senior Thesis Proposal

Structural Proposal

For the purposes of this thesis, JBG, hypothetically, acquired the lot surrounded by the Northwest sections of 9th Street to the East, 11th Street to the West, New York Ave to the North, and H Street to the South. JBG will petition to alter the C-3-C zone to a C-4 zone to gain twenty to forty more feet in building height thus matching the surrounding buildings. Altogether, this site can accommodate the same architectural layout as the Silver Spring Gateway; however, due to the high profile aspect of the clientele and proximity to government buildings, the structural design may need altered to resist possible terrorist or protestor attacks. First, the locations exuding the most vulnerability to an attack need determined, such as, parking garage, entrance tunnel, exterior façade, etc. Since the current design lends well to several unique scenarios, the structural elements within the existing system will be analyzed per each scenario and redesigned, if necessary, to mitigate the effects of an explosion and to prevent a progressive collapse in case a localized failure occurs.

Breadth Studies

Along with the structural alterations, architectural changes will inevitably ensue. In order to maintain as much of the architectural program as possible, the architectural layout may also need redesigned due to the structural enhancements. In addition, the façade may need further attention due to possible historic guidelines and to resisting a street side explosion. Consequently, the façade change requires focus on blast resistance, architectural and historic concerns, mechanical load and daylight effects, and different moisture control techniques. Most importantly, the site and landscape architecture will need redesigned to ultimately mitigate the attack to protect the structure and its inhabitants from harm.

To view a PDF version of the Executive Summary, click here

To view a PDF version of the entire Proposal, click here

To view a PDF version of the Revised Executive Summary, click here (16 Jan 2008)

To view a PDF version of the entire Revised Proposal, click here (16 Jan 2008)

Senior Thesis

The Pennsylvania State University

Department of Architectural Engineering

AE Computer Labs

Contact David S. Finley