Every year the ASCE Metropolitan Section Structures Group hosts a four evening Seminar that focuses on the most interesting construction projects and structural engineering topics.
GMS staff gave several presentations at this year’s seminar.
Ramon Gilsanz gave the keynote address with a presentation called “Regions – Hazards – People”. The world’s population is growing, with increasing proportions locating to dense urban environments. This presentation compares population density and economies of the world’s largest cities with their exposure to natural disasters. We assess the relationship between vulnerability and urbanization, and make recommendations for strategic partnerships for greater investment in pre-disaster preventive measures as opposed to post-disaster recovery.
Carl Zanier presented a case study of the new building at 837 Washington Street, a new torquing tower that rises out of an existing landmark 2-story Art Moderne style brick warehouse built in 1938. GMS preserved the original façade while building a new steel exoskeleton with sloping columns and twisting floor plates. GMS achieved the intricate design by creating innovative plate girders and pre-fabricated frame connections. The structure was thermally isolated passing only the beam web through the building envelope with carbon fiber thermal break shims at these connections.
