Emerson

Project Team

Structural Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers
Owner: Emerson
Architect: Fox Architects
General Contractor: Musick Construction
Steel Joist Manufacturer: Canam
Steel Detailer: Hammerts Iron Works
Steel Fabricator: Hammerts Iron Works
Steel Erector: FastTrack Erectors

Project Type: Unique Application

Project Description

KPFF Consulting Engineers provided structural engineering services for the new 32,000 sf data center on the headquarters campus of Emerson in Saint Louis, Missouri. The data center is designed for tornadic winds and seismic loading conditions above the level required by the governing Building Code. Additionally, a 17,000 sf solar panel structure is located above the roof, contributing LEED points to this green project. The site also contains two equipment yards adjacent to the building that house back-up generators and fuel storage tanks. Besides having the ability to resist extreme weather events and airborne missiles, the roof structure also supports several condenser units servicing the building. Revit was used to generate structural drawings and to help coordinate architectural, MEP, and structural details.

What Makes This Project Interesting

What makes this project interesting: The data center represents a $50 million investment by Emerson in Missouri and the St. Louis region and is a design model for energy-efficient data centers. The building includes a 7,800-square-foot solar array – the largest in Missouri – capable of generating 100 kW of power. These and other innovative, energy-saving features will enable the new Emerson data center to be 31 percent more energy efficient than traditional data centers. Emerson anticipates achieving LEED Gold certification for its St. Louis data center from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Advantages Of The Chosen Structural System

What were the advantages of the chosen structural system? Bar joists are an economical, lightweight option for the maximum solar array structure span of 100' and high wind uplift loads.

Project Scope

Bar joists were used to support the 7800 sf sloped, triangular solar array and to withstand 150 mph winds. Double pitched top chord bar joists were also used to support the 14,500 sf upper roof of the data center and to withstand 200 mph winds. These joists also support a number of solar array structure posts.

Project Details

Project Construction Cost: $50 million
Joist cost, including fabrication and erection: $588,145
Size (square ft.): 32,000 (plus solar structure)
 Roof area using joists (square ft.): 23,300 sf
Joist engineering to delivery (# days): 90
Joist erection (# days): 18

Return to Projects