The M.Eng. in Structural Engineering Class of 2009 designed an L-shaped, 10-story hotel and one-story conference center located in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. The structural engineer of record was CMX Engineers and the architect of record was Milton Pate Architects.
A versatile structural layout allowed the students to investigate a number of different structural systems, including steel staggered truss, composite steel beams, precast concrete, conventional concrete two-way flat plate, and post-tensioned concrete two-way flat plate.
The 2009 project ended the year with an added twist. To test their seismic design skills, the students relocated their structure to Los Angeles, California and evaluated the effect of the move on the lateral force resisting system. Students subsequently redesigned the lateral force resisting system and detailed at least one connection in accordance with the rigorous demands of Seismic Design Category D.