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Architect’s Design for Walter Henry School

Instituto Americano “Walter Henry”
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
(resumens de los informes en Espaņol (PDF)

BRI Engineering
Julie McNamara
Katherine McKenna
Corrie Craft

International Senior Design
July & August 2005

Background

On July 23, 2005 BRI Engineering traveled to Santa Cruz, Bolivia to examine and analyze the existing structural design for the Instituto Americano “Walter Henry” School. The school, with construction already in progress, was a concern of Mark Plotkin a former International Senior Design Student of Michigan Tech, who suggested, to Linda Phillips, a structural frame analysis be performed on the school. While in Bolivia BRI met with the architect and engineer to obtain the plans, verify dimensions and assumed material properties. BRI also made concrete cylinders to be brought back to the United States for testing.


Upon arrival in the United States BRI began a structural analysis with the objective to use available materials, preserve the current construction techniques and minimize costs. The strength of the concrete was found to be 1100 psi. This value was used by BRI in the analysis. High loads and the large span of the girder, paired with a low concrete strength made the analysis, based on the objectives, not feasible. No further analysis is meaningful until actual in situ concrete strengths are determined.

 

Goals

  • Analyze existing structural design
  • Redesign if necessary
  • “What we are trying to do is make what they are used to doing more cost effective and keep the kids safe.” -BRI Engineering

    Findings

  • Utilized MathCAD to analyze slab, beams and girder
  • Resized Beam and Modified Slab to meet requirements set out in ACI 318-05 and ICC.
  • Redesign with the concrete strength measured of 1100 psi., to try to not change their materials and methods.
  • The Structure may not be sustainable or safe with current concrete strength.

    What we did

    An analysis of the existing structural design of beams, girders and elevated second floor slab. The analysis will include:
    Second Floor Slab: Deflection, Flexure, and both One Way Shear and Punching Shear.
    Beams: Deflection, Flexure and Shear.
    Girder: Deflection and Flexure
    Recommendations for redesign or re-sizing as needed.

    Recommendations

  • Re-evaluate Concrete Strength using Cores and Cylinder Tests
  • Research Higher Grade Concretes.
  • Re-analyze existing structure and future construction with confirmed concrete strength

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    Houghton, Michigan, 49931 - 1295, USA
    Department Phone: 1-906-487-2520
    Department Fax: 1-906-487-2943
    Department E-mail: cee@mtu.edu


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