SOLUTION

WJE performed structural analysis to assess the anticipated installed performance of the proposed glass types and makeup of the glazing units under consideration for the Canyon project. The loads specified by the designer of record as the basis for design were used in the analysis for dead and live loads. Wind loads were based on a wind tunnel study of the Canyon roof that was prepared by a wind engineering consulting firm. Additionally, the load resistance of the glass was determined using the current provisions of ASTM E1300.

All three original glass design approaches were determined to be structurally adequate as designed and had excess capacity to resist design loads. In order to explore options available to reduce the initial cost of the system without sacrifice to the design intent of the architect, WJE completed a detailed analysis of both the glass make-up and underlying structural framing. Through this analysis, WJE determined that the the original glass design was conservative and that a reduction in initial cost could be achieved through structural optimization. As an alternative, WJE also proposed a lighter-weight ETFE system to achieve the same goal, but one that would result in a change in the overall appearance of the canopy. Both options were presented to the owner for further consideration.