The New Science Building Texas A

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• The New Science BuildingTexas AM International
  UniversityLaredo, TX
• Nicole Griffith

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The New Science Building

• 3 Story Cast-in-Place Concrete Structure
• 80,000 S.F.
• Estimated Cost of 18 Million
• Houses Science Labs, Classrooms, Offices
• Features a Planetarium and the Deans Office
  Tower

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The New Science Building

• Owner Texas AM University System
• General Contractor Constructors Associates,
  Inc.
• San Antonio, TX
• Construction Began June 2003
• Main Building Completed December 2004
• Planetarium Complete May 2005 by Owner

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Thesis Overview

• 4D Modeling
• Structural and Construction Feasibility Review of
  the Planetarium Concrete

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CM Depth

• 4D Modeling

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Reasons for Using 4D Modeling

• Complicated Schedule Setup Makes Sequencing and
  Level of Detail Difficult to Maintain
• Unique Structure of the Planetarium Can Make
  Visualizing the Construction Process Difficult
• 4D Modeling is a Key Technology Vitally Important
  to the Construction Industry

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4D Modeling

• Create 3D Model of the Structure Using Autodesk
  Revit 7.0
• Export into AutoCAD 2004 format
• Export into Common Point 4D
• Link to Structure Schedule

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4D Modeling

• Revit is a Parametric Modeling Tool
• Model using Building Components
• Unique Structures, Such as the Planetarium, can
  be Difficult to Represent
• Must be Exported into AutoCAD First in Order to
  Export into Common Point
• Looses Detail, Difficult to Control Layers

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Revit Model
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AutoCAD Model
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Common Point 4D Model
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Results

• Multiple Sequencing and Level of Detail Errors
  Discovered in the Structure Schedule
• Using a 4D Model Could Have Eliminated Problems
  that Resulted Due to Confusion from the
  Construction Schedule

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Sequencing Error
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Inconsistent Sequence
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Sequencing Error
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Sequencing Error
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CM Depth/Structural Breadth

• Structural and Construction Feasibility Review of
  the Planetarium Concrete Structure

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The Planetarium
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Planetarium Concrete

• Architectural Concrete Structural Base
• As-Cast Smooth Finish
• No Further Finishing After Formwork Removal
• Plastic-Laminated Plywood Formwork
• Result was Unacceptable to the Owner
• Variations in Color
• Inconsistent Texture
• Surface Imperfections (Lift Lines, Air Pockets)
• Visible Formwork Joints

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Planetarium Concrete

• Investigate Both the Project Specifications as
  well as Standard ACI Specifications
• Look for Inconsistencies, Areas for Concern
• Review and Suggest Alternate Formwork
• Review and Suggest Alternate Concrete Mix
  Design/Specifications
• Review and Suggest Alternate Concrete Placement
  Methods

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Standard Specifications

• Perform Slump Tests on Trial Batches at Highest
  Lowest Expected Ambient Temperatures
• Not Specified or Performed for Project
• Poured in mid-July Creates Cause for Concern

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Project Specifications

• No Fly Ash
• No Form Ties
• Mock-Ups Pre-Installation Meetings
• Not Implemented Due to Time Constraints
• Small Samples Submitted Instead
• Well-Sealed Formwork Joints
• Not Properly Constructed

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Formwork

• Conventional Forms
• Most Economical for This Type of Project
• Simple, but Proper Construction is Important
• Non-Reactive Form Release and Other Agents
• Smooth Finish is Not Optimal for Appearance
• Elevates Visibility of Surface Defects

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Formwork
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Resulting Recommendations

• Use Plywood Formwork with a Textured Plastic
  Liner
• Use a Non-Reactive Form Release Agent That Will
  Not Affect the Appearance of the Concrete Finish

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Resulting Recommendations

• Consider the Use of Fly Ash in the Design of the
  Architectural Concrete
• Fly Ash Contains Properties That May Help Resolve
  the Problems Encountered
• Be Sure That Any Additives, Such as Water
  Reducing Agents and Curing Compounds, Will Not
  Alter the Finished Appearance of the Concrete

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Resulting Recommendations

• Maintain Similar Temperatures for Concrete,
  Rebar, Formwork, and Any Other Affected Materials
  at all Times When Concrete is Being Poured to
  Eliminate Color and Texture Variations and Lift
  Lines

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Resulting Recommendations

• Provide a Large-Mass Mockup of the Architectural
  Concrete Using Same Materials and Methods of
  Placement to Ensure the Quality of the Final
  Product
• Be Sure to Pour the Concrete for the Mockup at
  the Same Temperature as is Expected for the
  Actual Pour

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Resulting Recommendations

• Coordinate all Interested Parties, Particularly
  the Concrete Contractor and Steel Erector, Before
  the Production of Shop Drawings, to Ensure That
  All Parties Are Aware of Others Requirements for
  Construction so that Delays and Additional Costs
  Can be Avoided

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Conclusions

• Use a 4D Model to Eliminate Problems That May
  Result Due to Confusion from the Construction
  Schedule, Sequencing, and Level of Detail Errors
• Reconsider the Concrete Mix Design, Formwork
  Type, and Placement Requirements of the
  Planetarium Architectural Concrete in Order to
  Achieve the Desired Finish

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Questions?
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Acoustical Breadth

• Planetarium Acoustical Analysis

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Acoustical Analysis

• Owners Representative Had Concerns Regarding the
  Acoustical Quality of the Planetarium
• The Planetarium Space Itself
• The Effect of Mechanical Room Noise Adjacent to
  the Planetarium Space

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Reverberation Time

• Performed on Planetarium Space
• Results Were Acceptable 0.95 s _at_ 500 Hz
• Acoustical Quality Was Much Poorer During
  Construction

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STC Calculation

• Performed for the Mechanical Room Walls
• Result Was STC Rating of 42 Acceptable
• Well-Constructed Insulated Walls