Executive Summary

The new dormitory, Trippe Hall, located at the Penn State campus in Erie, PA is a (4) story building that will hold 251 beds.  The residence hall will house students in fall 2018.  The analyses for the senior thesis include (3) technical analyses that incorporate information learned in the AE construction curriculum, (2) technical analyses that incorporate information learned in the other AE options (structural, mechanical, lighting, electrical, acoustical), and (1) research analysis about an industry topic.

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Analysis 1: Prefabricated Plumbing

Many trades must coordinate in order to work on certain areas in the project.  If the coordination can be started earlier in the design phase, then those efforts can go into prefabricating certain aspects of a building.  The main area that the Trippe Hall project can benefit from prefabrication is the single-person bathrooms.  They are repetitive units that can be constructed off site and delivered to the project.  By doing this, the amount of workers in that space will be reduced and the safety for workers will increase since they can work at a reasonable height off the ground. 

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Analysis 2: Geothermal Wells for the Mechanical System

Geothermal wells provide a better life-cycle cost compared to typical mechanical systems.  Since dormitories on Penn State campuses are intended to last about 50 years, it would be beneficial to invest in a mechanical system that can support this goal.  The project site is relatively large and a parking lot beside it that could provide enough space to incorporate the geothermal system on the project.  Penn State is also familiar with using geothermal systems for buildings on their campuses.

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Analysis 3: Foundation Types

Due to the geotechnical report, the foundation for the building was designed conservatively, which increased the cost for the concrete estimate.  The analysis will compare a grade beam foundation that could be used for this building in place of the oversized foundation to see if it is more cost effective and does not affect the overall schedule.  By using grade beams, it will require less spread footings on the project.

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Analysis 4: Promoting Prefabrication

There are many companies that do not pursue prefabrication or design for prefabrication on all of their projects even though they are equipped with the technology and means to do so.  There are many ways to prefabricate and a large amount of contractors have embraced some sort of prefabrication, whether it is prefabricated racks or modularized units.  This analysis will evaluate the leading causes of why current prefabrication companies, architects, owners, and engineers do not embrace or initiate prefabrication on every project.