Doc Harris Stadium

Project Team

Structural Engineer: Engineering Ventures, PC 
Owner: Wind NRG Partners, LLC 
Architect: Maclay Architects
General Contractor: HP Cummings 
Steel Joist Manufacturer: Canam
Steel Detailer: Canam
Steel Fabricator: Jeffords Steel 
Steel Erector: Jeffords Steel 

Project Type: Unique Application

Project Description

The Hinesburg, Vermont, project was NRG’s addition to an existing mixed-use office, research and development, and light industrial facility. As a wind power company, the owner is focused on thorough and holistic integration of sustainable conduct and settings for their work. The addition was another high-performance envelope, low-energy use building balanced with comfortable and productive work spaces. For this, daylighting the environment was a significant and emphasized element.

What Makes This Project Interesting

With an exposed floor system, maximizing daylighting in the occupied spaces became a structural design parameter. Minimizing obstructions from framing that blocks or detracts from the effusion of natural light was a unique requirement. Several structural framing options for the elevated floors were studied for daylighting effects, as well as performance and cost. Widely spaced members with deep slabs, open hot-rolled shapes, shallow closely spaced beams, and various joist types were evaluated. 
 
 

Advantages Of The Chosen Structural System

The chosen system was to use “doubled” open web K-series joints. The K-series provided the least amount of vertical opaqueness, and by pairing them, the 5-foot nominal wider spacing allowed for improved reflectivity off standard width ceiling panels that were applied directly to the underside of the slab. The system allowed for the use of composite W-shaped girders by using side forms between the joist seats, which reduced girder size as well. The slab thickness was not increased as a result of the “doubled” span above the depth required for radiant heating and receiving embedded medallion artwork exposed in the floor above. Vibration analyses also indicated that increases in sizing from load demands were not dictated. Additionally, the system provided less overpour than comparable W-shapes from unshored slab construction loads, supporting a cement reduction sustainability goal. 
 
 

Project Scope

Engineering Ventures, PC served as the Structural Engineer of Record. The project was substantially complete in June 2008, and has achieved USGBC LEED Gold certification.

Project Details

Project Construction Cost: approx. $6.5 million 
Joist cost, including fabrication and erection: approx. $510,000 
Size (square ft.): 31,000
Roof area using joists (square ft.): 29,000
Floor area using joists (square ft.): 9,000
Joist area (square ft.): 37,000
Joist engineering to delivery (# days): 40
Joist erection (# days): 20

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