Brickell Arch
Miami, Florida
Josiah Makay | Structural Option
Adviser | Dr. Aly Said
Depth Topic:
Building systems are constantly evolving, it is important to be aware of these changes as they could provide advantages in design. A system that exemplifies this is known as SpeedCore, shown in Figure 1. SpeedCore is a new composite shear wall system, concrete provides stiffness while steel plates provide strength and forming for the concrete. SpeedCore has only been implicated in a few buildings across the United States. Primary benefits of this system include the potential to reduce wall thickness and schedule, which amount to a reduction of cost. Other benefits worth noting are: better tolerances (compared to concrete systems), improved seismic performance, and more flexibility for wall openings. In order to reduce costs, reduce wall thickness, and reduce the schedule, the proposed alternative is SpeedCore.
Figure 1: SpeedCore
Another consideration for the implication of SpeedCore into Brickell Arch is that it is not very compatible with the existing post-tensioned concrete gravity system. Therefore, an alternate gravity system must be investigated to allow the gravity and lateral systems to act together. To provide an alternative system with a structural depth that is competitive with post-tensioned concrete, the proposed alternative system is Girder-Slab system, which is composed of hollow core concrete planks, (Figure 2) with D-Beam girders (Figure 3). Not only will this system provide a depth similar to post-tensioned concrete, it has the potential to reduce the schedule. This is because the planks are prefabricated and simply craned into position on site. Then, once the planks are placed, a concrete topping is poured to achieve the composite action with the D-Beam.
Figure 2: Hollow Core Concrete Planks
Figure 3: D-Beam Girder
Breadth Topic: Construction Breadth
The construction time of the existing tower of Brickell Arch took roughly 3.5 years, this is quite a lengthy construction schedule when. The goal of this construction breadth is to investigate the effects of implicating these systems proposed as depths. Given that both SpeedCore and Girder-Slab systems are largely prefabricated, it is likely that they will play a significant role in reducing the overall schedule duration of this project. As a result of a reduced schedule, the owner would be enabled to generate more revenue from renting spaces earlier than what was achieved with the existing systems. To look into the schedule, data on duration of tasks will be gathered from RS Means and compiled into a schedule using MS Project. As for scheduling data on a SpeedCore system, it is likely that some input from industry professionals will be needed, given that it is a newer system that has not seen much use in a high-rise application.
Breadth Topic: Enclosure Breadth
Another area of investigation is the facade of the Brickell Arch, being constructed almost entirely of glass it raises both structural and energy efficiency concerns. Structurally, it is important that the glass can survive the harsh environmental conditions that are present in hurricane zones such as Miami, Florida. As for energy efficiency, it is very easy for a building to experience heat gain/loss through the glass as well as heat loss/gain as a result of thermal bridging in the glazing assembly. With those considerations in mind, the intent is to research advances in glazing technology to propose a new glazing system that can withstand the demand of hurricane conditions and limit heat loss/gain through the assembly as well. To investigate structural concerns ASCE and FEMA guidelines will be referenced as a basis for design, and a glazing system will be suggested to provide the proper performance in the event of extreme environmental conditions. Various values such as R-values, U-factors, and solar heat gain coefficients will be investigated to determine the thermal performance of the glazing system.
MAE Requirements
A shear wall design will require the aid of a comprehensive lateral analysis of the tower. Modeling methods and practices were the focus of AE 530 Computer Modeling of Building Structures. The methods taught in AE 530 will be employed in the construction of a lateral model of Brickell Arch in ETABS 17.
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 Josiah Makay. 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.