Final Thesis Proposal

       This report focuses on four analyses that identify problems or opportunities with the current design or construction process of the building.  The topics are proposals for the analyses that will be done during the spring 2016 semester.  The benefits of the design or constructability change will first be explained and compared to the old method.  Minor background research for the analysis and a proposed solution will then be presented, along with how it will be accomplished and what tools will be used to do so.  These are all construction topics that focus on cost and schedule analyses.  Two of the analyses focus on design changes that will better the quality of the building with minor impact on cost and schedule, one focuses on value engineering, and one is a critical industry issue research topic.

Analysis #1:
       The first analysis adds and utilizes a raised access floor system in the white space of the data center.  This will sit on the concrete slab and the data racks will sit on top of the raised floor.  This system will add quality to the building and the owner will save money in the long run though maintenance and flexibility as the electrical conduit and mechanical piping can run under it.  The analysis will compare initial costs, schedule, and the benefits and problems with both designs.  This analysis introduces a mechanical breadth which will analyze a new air flow distribution design and thermal efficiencies that are affected.

Analysis #2:
       The second analysis changes the built-up asphalt roof with a gravel protective layer to a single-ply thermoplastic roof system.  The original design is expensive and is overkill for a building like this.  Using value engineering, the design can change to a less expensive roof, but still as efficient and effective.  The analysis will compare costs for both systems, schedule, and the benefits and problems with both designs.  This analysis introduces a structural breadth which will analyze the structural loads of re-cover roofing in the future on this project.

Analysis #3:
       The third analysis changes the sealed concrete floors in all exposed areas to a polished concrete.  This design change will improve the quality of the building as a whole for the owner.  The exposed concrete will have less imperfections due to the method of applying.  It is also extremely long-lasting.  The analysis will compare costs for both floor finished, future costs, schedule, and the benefits and problems with both designs.

Analysis #4:
       The fourth and final analysis will look at BIM education for owners and their expectations for the project.  This is a research analysis focusing on a critical issue in the construction industry.  The BIM education topic was discussed among industry leaders at the PACE conference held at Penn State.  This problem causes contractors to not understand the BIM expectations that are set in the contract by their client and inaccurate estimates are developed because of this, causing the contractors to lose money when they add BIM methods later in the process.  The solution and response to the problem presented is to educate clients that lack the knowledge and resources to understand BIM and its processes on an in-depth basis.  This analysis will rely on surveys to gather the valued opinions of owners and contractors on the matter, along with research on BIM costs and education methods.
 

Mechanical Breadth:

       In the raised access floor analysis, the floor design was changed which created a plenum underneath the data racks and cabinets.  A mechanical approach and opportunity to this analysis, and very common with raised floors and data centers, is to use this plenum for under floor air distribution.  The main air handling units (Munters) on the roof currently supply air directed to the room cooling the entire space.  For this proposed alternate method and analysis they will supply air directly to the under floor air plenum utilizing duct work for the transition.  This conditioned air will then travel through the plenum and access the above white space area through perforated tile in the raised access flooring to cool the electrical/data equipment along with the area.  Dampers can be fit underneath the perforated tiles to allow control of the airflow to achieve localized control of each space.  The heat that the data servers and equipment make will exit out of the back of the units and travel up through hot aisle containment (HAC) in the white space and into the return plenum above the ceiling made by the ceiling tile.  This air will then cycle back through the air handling units on the roof creating a larger temperature difference.  The analysis will look at the feasibility of changing the air flow in the room (from direct to under-floor distribution) and if there will be any additives or extra costs associated with it.  The cooling efficiencies can also be analyzed and compared in different scenarios.  These scenarios will change different design variables including direct overhead air supply, under floor air distribution, and hot aisle containment utilization. 

Structural Breadth:

       In the roof design change analysis (analysis #2), the built-up asphalt roof was changed to a single-ply thermoplastic (TPO) roof.  Sometimes in a building’s lifetime, after the warranty period, a roof will have various leaks and the facility manager or owner will consider re-roofing.  In a building where there is critical spaces under the roof, such as a data center (clean rooms, electrical rooms, critical data rooms), the roof cannot be dismantled and re-roofed in an efficient manner.  The electrical and data equipment must stay functional and protected at all times.  A common method for buildings in this criteria is re-roofing over the old roof.  This method provides building protection from weather, temperature, and debris during the new roof install.  The structural approach and opportunity to this analysis is to look at the weight and loads of re-roofing with the existing built-up asphalt roof compared to the proposed single-ply thermoplastic (TPO) roof.