THESIS PROPOSAL
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BREADTH SUMMARY
STRUCTURAL
The Edge of Slab Column Relocation analysis will require a structural design review that will determine the feasibility of relocating the columns that create interior trade productivity issues. Not only live and dead load analyses will be explored, but also the effect of column relocation on the blast rating of the structure. Alternative blast protection techniques may provide the additional protection required to permit the relocation of said columns. The redesign of the exterior façade in order to facilitate a simplified brick masonry layout will also require a structural analysis to determine the effect of a linear façade on the brick support systems as well as the foundation layout required to support the concentrated masonry loads.
MECHANICAL
Redesigning the exterior façade in an attempt to expedite brick masonry installation will have an effect on the arrangement of exterior glazing. This reduction in shaded “coves” along the façade will affect the amount of solar gain that the building experiences, increasing the size of the cooling load that must be handled by the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. An analysis of the extent of the effects on the cooling load exhibited by the alteration of the glazing alignment will be required to determine if the HVAC system requires enlarging. Additionally, the arrangement of the low pressure duct lines may require modifications to address the localized impact of solar gain on many of the office areas within the building in order to minimize extreme temperature gradients within the space.
ARCHITECTURAL
Architectural justifications of the alteration of the façade alignments must be made in order to support the productivity and financial gains of the simplification of the masonry installations. Each arrangement must be modeled in order to effectively understand the aesthetic impact of the façade changes.
The Edge of Slab Column Relocation analysis will require a structural design review that will determine the feasibility of relocating the columns that create interior trade productivity issues. Not only live and dead load analyses will be explored, but also the effect of column relocation on the blast rating of the structure. Alternative blast protection techniques may provide the additional protection required to permit the relocation of said columns. The redesign of the exterior façade in order to facilitate a simplified brick masonry layout will also require a structural analysis to determine the effect of a linear façade on the brick support systems as well as the foundation layout required to support the concentrated masonry loads.
MECHANICAL
Redesigning the exterior façade in an attempt to expedite brick masonry installation will have an effect on the arrangement of exterior glazing. This reduction in shaded “coves” along the façade will affect the amount of solar gain that the building experiences, increasing the size of the cooling load that must be handled by the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. An analysis of the extent of the effects on the cooling load exhibited by the alteration of the glazing alignment will be required to determine if the HVAC system requires enlarging. Additionally, the arrangement of the low pressure duct lines may require modifications to address the localized impact of solar gain on many of the office areas within the building in order to minimize extreme temperature gradients within the space.
ARCHITECTURAL
Architectural justifications of the alteration of the façade alignments must be made in order to support the productivity and financial gains of the simplification of the masonry installations. Each arrangement must be modeled in order to effectively understand the aesthetic impact of the façade changes.
MAE COURSEWORK
AE 572 – Project Development and Delivery Planning
The exploration of the factors affecting the varying degrees of subcontractor commitment in a design-build project approach is directly related to the topics covered in the project development and delivery planning course. The benefits of a
design-build approach with a fully vested team will be compared to the setbacks of a team with stratified levels of commitment. The factors that determine the degree of subcontractor buy-in will be analyzed in order to determine effective approaches to developing an evenly committed project team that embraces the design-build mentality early in the project and is able to benefit from a collaborative work atmosphere during initial construction phases.
AE 570 – Production Management in Construction
Through the implementation of in-field BIM technology, an information pull system can be established that minimizes the time spent awaiting answers from the engineering and design professionals. The pull method was discussed in AE 570, but was limited primarily to the concept of material and labor pull. However, the method is not limited to these resources, and could be applied to the information solicitation process as well.
AE 598D – Legal Aspects of Engineering and Construction
The feasibility of a shared savings or rewards clause within a design-build project will be analyzed using knowledge obtained from AE 598D.
The exploration of the factors affecting the varying degrees of subcontractor commitment in a design-build project approach is directly related to the topics covered in the project development and delivery planning course. The benefits of a
design-build approach with a fully vested team will be compared to the setbacks of a team with stratified levels of commitment. The factors that determine the degree of subcontractor buy-in will be analyzed in order to determine effective approaches to developing an evenly committed project team that embraces the design-build mentality early in the project and is able to benefit from a collaborative work atmosphere during initial construction phases.
AE 570 – Production Management in Construction
Through the implementation of in-field BIM technology, an information pull system can be established that minimizes the time spent awaiting answers from the engineering and design professionals. The pull method was discussed in AE 570, but was limited primarily to the concept of material and labor pull. However, the method is not limited to these resources, and could be applied to the information solicitation process as well.
AE 598D – Legal Aspects of Engineering and Construction
The feasibility of a shared savings or rewards clause within a design-build project will be analyzed using knowledge obtained from AE 598D.