From world’s fair pavilion to world-class arena – we provided structural and construction engineering to transform a historic venue into a first-class sports and event facility.
There’s no such thing as completing a project too efficiently or collaborating too effectively. APD, Thornton Tomasetti’s trademarked delivery technique, introduces construction engineering and detailing early in the design phase, improving teamwork and helping deliver better projects faster.
Alex Fradkin
HOW DOES APD WORK?
Effective collaboration always produces better project outcomes. And the sooner that collaboration begins, the better.
Under conventional project delivery methods, structural steel connection design and detailing are part of the construction budget and included in the subcontractor’s bid pricing, opening the door to cost and schedule overruns and increased risk. But with APD, those tasks begin earlier –in the project design phase – shortening the schedule and providing the information needed for cost certainty.
APD boosts your project’s success by supplying a reliable model from which the steel fabricator can execute the final shop drawings and drive CNC (computer numerical control) fabrication equipment.
APD improves and expedites projects by giving the design and construction team more complete, detailed information earlier than with conventional delivery methods.
CONNECTION-MODELING PROCESS
PHASE 1: ADVANCED BILL OF MATERIALS (ABM) MODEL
First, we create a Tekla ABM model containing the project’s geometry, member sizes, material grades and Charpy V-notch (CVN) requirements for ordering materials.
PHASE 2A: CONNECTION DESIGN
Next, our team of experienced connectiondesign engineers generates connection-detail calculations and sketches according to contractor and fabrication-modeling preferences and tags them to the Tekla model.
PHASE 2B: RELEASE FOR DETAILING (RFD) MODEL (CONNECTED MODEL)
Finally, we model the connections in Tekla, showing all plate materials, welds, bolts and other connection information and taking into account the logistics of connection assembly, such as access for welding and bolt tightening.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
While other firms may have comparable delivery techniques, we’ve been doing it longer than anyone – and our experience shows. Since 2008, when we completed our first APD project, Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., we’ve applied our process to an enormous range of projects, from stadiums and arenas to low-, mid- and highrise buildings and complex specialty structures.
Our broad experience as engineer of record for other, similar projects affords us buildingdesign insights that might elude run-of-the-mill connection engineers or detailers, enabling us to collaborate more effectively with the entire team – even when we’re not the EOR. During Tekla modeling, for example, we often suggest design modifications that benefit connection engineering and enhance constructability.
Unlike other firms, we provide comprehensive multidisciplinary expertise, with structural and erection engineers, connection designers, steel detailers and more, all in-house, further streamlining collaboration and communication.
With our wide-ranging expertise in connection design, erection engineering, Tekla modeling and more, we’re your one-stop shop for constructionengineering services, APD – and every popular projectdelivery method.
Courtesy LIFTbuild
WHAT CAN APD DO FOR YOU?
With early modeling, detailing and construction engineering, lower risk and improved collaboration through APD, we give you something other firms can’t – project peace of mind.
SCHEDULE SAVINGS
Open communication between the design and construction teams enables on-time steel procurement, fabrication and erection with fewer schedule impacts.
COST CERTAINTY
3D models with sample connections issued with the bid documents help bidders understand the project’s complexity, reducing cost uncertainty.
ENHANCED TRADE COORDINATION
Importing Tekla models into programs like Navisworks allows clash detection for curtain-wall, MEP and other trades throughout construction.
FEWER RFIs
Collaborating with the design team during model production enables real-time resolution of engineering and construction issues, dramatically decreasing the number of requests for information.
REDUCED & VALIDATED CHANGE ORDERS
Using a 3D model for early identification of quantities and complexities minimizes change orders by allowing earlier discussion of whether changes are necessary.
APD vs. Traditional Delivery
Our approach significantly expedited the American Airlines Concourse L Stinger project at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, cutting 11 weeks from the schedule. By initiating connection design and modeling nine weeks early, we accelerated the entire process, including shop drawing reviews, fabrication and erection.
Thornton Tomasetti Integrated Approach
Activity Weeks
Tekla Model with Connections
Shop Drawing Preparation
Shop Drawing Review
Fabrication
Erection
Traditional Approach
Activity Weeks
Bidding
Contracting & Procurement
Connection
Design Connection
Design Review
Shop Drawing
Preparation
Shop Drawing
Review
Fabrication
Erection
Thornton Tomasetti
Steel Contractor - Fabricator
Steel Contractor - Erector
Manager
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS 1/7
Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall
New York, New York, USA
The former Avery Fisher Hall, home of the New York Philharmonic, has been fully refurbished, with modernized public and performance spaces. Its 2,200-seat auditorium was transformed from a rectilinear box into a curvilinear space, the proscenium eliminated, and the stage brought forward by 25 feet. We provided structural design, demolition-drawing production and connection engineering services to the Lincoln Center Development Project for the structure.
Early detailing clearly defined the requirements of this difficult renovation project, enabling the contractor to plan more efficiently. And the fully connected Tekla model (with more than 5,000 steel elements) permitted the fabrication, site delivery and construction of this extremely complicated structure on a severely compressed schedule. Acceleration of design development during the temporary closure of the venue due to the COVID-19 pandemic permitted it to open 1.5 years earlier than originally planned.
General Electric’s “Brilliant Factory” is the firm’s first gas-engine production facility in Canada. The 450,000-square-foot long-span facility incorporates assembly lines, machine shops, shipping, storage and office space. Its floor was designed to support extremely heavy moving equipment and fixtures on wheeled trolleys and air pallets, while its girders and columns meet stringent strength and deflection criteria for supporting large, heavy cranes. The front office features a timber deck roof with queen post truss supports that span 24 meters.
To allow materials to be ordered while design was underway, we created and transmitted an early mill order model to the steel contractor. We also designed connections and detailed the trusses. The advanced connected model was transmitted to the steel contractor in phases for shopdrawing production and fabrication. APD enabled construction of the facility in 20 months, a schedule savings of two to four months over traditional delivery methods.
Doublespace Photography
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS 3/7
Climate Pledge Arena
Seattle, Washington, USA
When the Kraken, Seattle’s NHL team, found a home in the former Seattle Center Coliseum (KeyArena), the building’s landmarked status meant that any renovation had to preserve its concrete curtain wall and iconic 44-million-pound roof. Since excavation to extend the building footprint and create a below-grade seating bowl would undermine the roof system, we designed a temporary roof support (TRS) that lifted it off its foundations, keeping it suspended for two years while construction progressed under it.
We worked with the steel contractor to provide a coordinated and connected Tekla model for the 8,700 tons of steel for the arena and parking garage and produced shop drawings for the 3,700 tons of TRS structural steel. APD accelerated the steel procurement and detailing process, shaving four months off the project schedule.
Alex Fradkin
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
4/7
30 Hudson Yards
New York, New York, USA
At 101 floors and 1,270 feet tall, 30 Hudson Yards is the tallest high-rise in the largest private real-estate development in U.S. history. And protruding sharply from it, at 1,131 feet up, Edge is the highest open-air observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. The site is Manhattan’s first LEED Gold neighborhood development.
We provided APD, structural design and façade engineering services for the tower, which was constructed over an active Long Island Rail Road train yard. Track locations and clearances limited the number of foundations, so we designed the building’s lower levels with multistory transfer trusses to distribute column loads to the nearest available ones.
As part of our APD scope, we modeled sample complex connections throughout the building during the bid process, ensuring that all fabricators had the same connection concept information. This led to better cost certainty. Connections were modeled in Tekla, and 3D details were added to the design documents during bidding.
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS 5/7
American Airlines Maintenance Hangar
Chicago, Illinois, USA
We performed structural and construction engineering for the first hangar built at O’Hare International Airport in three decades. This 170,000-square-foot structure, supported by four towers, is large enough to simultaneously accommodate six Boeing 737s or two 777s. Since the roof must support large cranes, we designed it with two parallel box trusses over the door openings, supported by the towers at either end, forming part of the lateral forceresisting system. Our APD services included steel connection design, Tekla modeling and erection engineering. We created a Tekla model to be used by the fabricator for shop-drawing creation and fabrication and collaborated with the steel manufacturer to develop fabricator- and erector-friendly connections.
Early incorporation of construction engineering and detailing helped shorten the schedule by 14 weeks. The project was completed with just five structural steel RFIs – and without any construction delays related to steel fabrication and erection.
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS 6/7
Rockefeller University
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
David Rockefeller River Campus
New York, New York, USA
To add 180,000 square feet of research and administrative space and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, Rockefeller University constructed this three-story facility with two levels of laboratories. The building stretches almost three and a half city blocks and spans 92 feet over FDR Drive. Two one-story glass pavilions atop the laboratories house offices and a cafeteria.
To facilitate construction over an active roadway, we designed the building to be divided into modules, transported via barge and assembled on campus. We created 3D structural models of the two main and 17 infill modules, including the final building and temporary erection trusses, enabling our team to analyze load conditions and ensure the stability of the final building and temporary structure.
Our modular design saved an estimated year of construction and $20 million.
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS 7/7
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New Terminal One Queens, New York, USA
The New JFK Terminal One is a sustainable, futurefocused facility designed to set the standard as a global gateway. We initially came on board for connection design and peer review services, but our scope expanded to include value engineering.
After a pandemic-related pause, Gensler selected us as structural engineer of record and engaged us to perform façade engineering, protective design and construction engineering as well. We worked with the design team, including several minority partners, to adjust the structure to the revised architectural vision. The forward-thinking design includes renewable energy technologies for aircraft deicing and fluid recovery and electric machinery to support the owner’s commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Our construction engineering specialists used APD to integrate the design and construction teams, producing complete connection design earlier than usual and delivering a detailed Tekla model, which helped speed the overall schedule.
Image by TMRW, Courtesy of the New Terminal One at JFK
We apply scientific and engineering principles to solve the world’s challenges – starting with yours. Whether we’re focused on the design, construction and performance of buildings or expanding into new disciplines, we never limit ourselves, applying our expertise to all types of projects across a range of industries.
How can we help you?
We offer solutions for an ever-widening range of services and sectors.
Acoustics, Noise & Vibration
Aviation
Commercial
Construction Engineering
Critical Facilities
Cultural & Community
Decarbonization
Defense
Education
Energy
Façades
Forensics & Investigations
Government
Healthcare & Research
Hospitality & Gaming
Insurance
Life Sciences
Protective Design & Security
Residential
Resilience
Restoration & Renewal
Special Structures
Sports & Public Assembly
Structural Design
Sustainability
Tall & Supertall Buildings
Transportation & Infrastructure
Mara M. Braselton , P.E.
Associate Principal, Kansas City MBraselton@ThorntonTomasetti.com +1.816.214.0333
Steven Witkowski, P.E., LEED AP Principal, New York SWitkowski,@ThorntonTomasetti.com +1.917.692.7272
Gregory Johnston
Associate Principal, Kansas City GJohnston@ThorntonTomasetti.com +1.816.668.9506
