A THEATER RENDERINGS CASE STUDY
Introduction
A THEATER
Preeminent Solutions, Inc. has been engaged by the Client, a theater, to provide civil-structural engineering design services for the evaluation of the Orlando Theater trap door supporting beam and supporting structures for the commercial building.
The Theater is a 36,900 sq-ft structure with reinforced concrete exterior walls and reinforced concrete foundation walls and slabs.
Problem Statement / Objectives
The area of focus includes the beams supporting the trap door and the beams supporting the walkway to the stage area and trap door.
Specifically, Preeminent Solutions, Inc. has been engaged to provide the following:
An Engineering Report that supplies:
- The capacity of the removable beams supporting the trap door and lift
- The capacity of neighboring stage entrance flooring system to support the movement of the JLG model 190ES
- Recommendations to increase the capacity of aforementioned floor system.
Analysis / Findings
- Observations
Inspection Findings – Deficiencies
The following deficiencies were observed during the Site Inspection by the inspecting engineer.
- a) Spalled Concrete along Foundation Wall
- b) Missing Bolts to Connect HSS Members to Plate
Analysis Findings and Results
Analysis results show overloading of weld (i.e. demand exceeds capacity) for weld connecting the W8x13 member to wall support under typical operations with JLG loading. Analysis results show near overloading of weld (i.e. demand roughly equals capacity) for weld connecting the W8x13 member to wall support under typical operations without JLG loading.
Analysis results show no overloading or near overloading for other cases.
Analysis does not cover removable floor panels.
For the purpose of this report, the structural assessment and design recommendations are limited to the interior masonry wall designated for retrofit to accommodate a 9 ft x 9 ft (minimum) wall opening. The remainder of the structure was not included within the scope of this evaluation.
Recommendations
- Analysis Findings and Results
The following recommendations are advised to address overloading of weld and to allow for beam system to support typical operations with JLG loading :
- a) Add Support:
o Add additional support (i.e. column or cantilevered beam) at midspan (6 ft) of W8x13 member.
o Note: Additional support will reduce reaction at the weld and limit overall deflection of beam
- b) Implement Equipment Controlled Area :
o In addition to the additional support consider implementing a 6ft minimum equipment controlled (i.e. an area spanning 6ft on either side of the operating JLG, in which no personnel or operations are allowed.)
o Note: Implementation of a controlled area will reduce loads experienced by beam system.
- General Recommendations
Analysis does not cover removable floor panels.
That said, to prevent future issues, consider removable metal grating sections to distribute loading.
Consider 2 x 3/16 welded stainless steel grating Type W-19, Alloys 304 or 316.
Conclusions
Per analysis results, the weld connecting W8x13 beam to wall support is the limiting factor.