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Jerome J. Connor. Young, Hunter A. (Hunter Andrew) Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 2010-03-25T14:56:55Z 2010-03-25T14:56:55Z 2009 2009 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/53073 501946189 Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2009. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-46). While the recently completed U.S. Federal Building in San Francisco features numerous sustainable aspects that reduce energy demand, the most impressive feature required a distinctive structural floor system. Designers applied a non-linear, integrative approach between varying disciplines whose systems are typically mutually exclusive to construct a high-performance building system. Through the use of upturned concrete T-beams, designers created a naturally ventilated workspace that employs the thermal mass of an exposed concrete ceiling. This concrete absorbs heat during the day and is purged at night by cool breezes. This study investigates the inherent structural and constructability properties associated with upturned concrete beam systems in conjunction with its environmental performance so as to better understand its feasibility. A design case study is conducted to evaluate the related construction material and labor costs using ACI 318 practices. The results confirm the innate structural and construction properties while reasons for efficiencies and detriments of the upturned concrete beam system in comparison to a standard T- beam system are discussed. A payback period for the time in which the initial investments in potentially more expensive construction practices is calculated applying average energy saving data. Improvements to the design of upturned concrete beam system are also proposed as well as improvements to the role of the structural engineer in designing for energy minimization. by Hunter A. Young. M.Eng. 60 leaves eng Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 Civil and Environmental Engineering. The upturned concrete beam system : an investigation of structural, environmental, and constructability performance Thesis application/pdf Publication unknown unknown <Publication xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/1.1/" id="77e6e440-6cc7-4e23-821b-65050efc4916"> <Type xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/vocab/COAR_Publication_Types">http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_1843</Type> <Language>eng</Language> <Title>The upturned concrete beam system : an investigation of structural, environmental, and constructability performance</Title> <PublishedIn> <Publication> </Publication> </PublishedIn> <PublicationDate>2009</PublicationDate> <Authors> <Author> <DisplayName>Young, Hunter A. (Hunter Andrew)</DisplayName> <Affiliation> <OrgUnit> </OrgUnit> </Affiliation> </Author> </Authors> <Editors> </Editors> <Publishers> <Publisher> <DisplayName>Massachusetts Institute of Technology</DisplayName> <OrgUnit /> </Publisher> </Publishers> <License>http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582</License> <Keyword>Civil and Environmental Engineering.</Keyword> <Abstract>While the recently completed U.S. Federal Building in San Francisco features numerous sustainable aspects that reduce energy demand, the most impressive feature required a distinctive structural floor system. Designers applied a non-linear, integrative approach between varying disciplines whose systems are typically mutually exclusive to construct a high-performance building system. Through the use of upturned concrete T-beams, designers created a naturally ventilated workspace that employs the thermal mass of an exposed concrete ceiling. This concrete absorbs heat during the day and is purged at night by cool breezes. This study investigates the inherent structural and constructability properties associated with upturned concrete beam systems in conjunction with its environmental performance so as to better understand its feasibility. A design case study is conducted to evaluate the related construction material and labor costs using ACI 318 practices. The results confirm the innate structural and construction properties while reasons for efficiencies and detriments of the upturned concrete beam system in comparison to a standard T- beam system are discussed. A payback period for the time in which the initial investments in potentially more expensive construction practices is calculated applying average energy saving data. Improvements to the design of upturned concrete beam system are also proposed as well as improvements to the role of the structural engineer in designing for energy minimization.</Abstract> <Access xmlns="http://purl.org/coar/access_right" > </Access> </Publication>