JMV | Proposal

The proposed depth of this investigation will be to redesign the structural system of Rockville Metro Plaza II. For this endeavor, a steel system will be considered. Data from studies conducted in prior technical reports, Tech III specifically, will be drawn upon and expanded

in order to select a viable solution. The loading of the structure will be reassessed and members will be designed accordingly. The lateral system will be changed to steel braces and moment frames.

Placement of these elements will consider the

architecture of the building in order to minimize impact

on this feature. The redesigned system will be modeled using Etabs and RAM and will be verified for adequacy.

Breadth 1 – Construction Management

Altering the main structural system of Rockville Metro Plaza II will have a significant effect on the cost and schedule of the project. The impact that this change has on the construction schedule will be assessed through calculations and comparisons. A cost analysis will also be investigated in order to determine the feasibility of the alternative system.

Breadth 2 – Architectural

The redesigned structural system will have many potential impacts on the architecture of Rockville Metro Plaza II. A deeper floor system will increase the floor to floor height of the structure. This issue will consider the routing of MEP system, local zoning requirements, and impacts regarding the façade. Additionally, the redesigned lateral force resisting system will be of significant focus. The placement of these elements must respect the interior flow of the office space as well as the intended aesthetics of the building’s façade.

MAE Requirements

Knowledge gained from graduate level course work will be incorporated into the investigation, analysis, and design of work in the depth and breaths of the proposed project. Knowledge from AE 530 – Computer Modeling of Building Structures will be integral in creating effective and useful models. These models which will be created in ETABS and RAM will allow for the analysis and design of the gravity and lateral systems of the structure. Material from AE 534 – Analysis and Design of Steel Connections will be relied upon heavily as connection design will be necessary for the steel structural system redesign. Additionally, coursework from AE 538 – Earthquake Resistant Design of Buildings will be incorporated in designing the lateral system of the structure.

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*Note: While great efforts have been taken to provide accurate and complete information on thepages 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 John Vais. Changes and discrepancies in no way imply that the original design contained errors or was flawed. Differing assumptions, code references, requirements, and methodologies have beenincorporated into this thesis project; therefore, investigation results may vary from the original design.