UPDATES
3D Modeling
April 26th, 2019
​
As part of the visual representation of the project, the team generated three dimensional models which shows the area of the canopy community and how it is integrated with the current landscape. Trees greater than 4 feet in diameter will be built around: offering shade and creating the "canopy" effect. A wooden railing will be constructed alongside the outer decking as well as benches for visitors to sit and relax. A similar model will be constructed for the boardwalk in the future.
​
​
​
​
​
.png)
.png)
Construction Cost Analysis
April 19th, 2019
​
In order to generate an estimate for the construction costs, the team had to identify all materials and equipment necessary to carry out the project. For the boardwalk and canopy decking, Douglas Fir Larch wood will be used. To connect the decking to the foundations, metal bracket connections will be used. For the boardwalk foundation, concrete is necessary for the continuous footing on the land side and composite piles for the lakeside. For the canopy community, helical piles will be used for the foundation. Lastly, light poles will need to be included in the cost estimate. The total cost, inclusive of all material costs and a 10% profit, comes out to approximately $1,200,000.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Finalizing the Structural Design
Foundation Design of the Boardwalk
March 17th, 2019
​
The structural design of the boardwalk, pedestrian bridge, and canopy community have been determined. Cross sections of each feature have been designed using the appropriate design loads from ASCE 7. Using the 2015 Wood Design Manual and 2015 National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS) proper material and sizing was selected. For all three elements, Douglass-Fir North was selected as the wood species that would be used for the building material. The boardwalk consist of 2”x8”, 2”x12”, and 2”x14” connected with steel brackets and bolts. The canopy features a similar construction to the boardwalk using the same sized materials. The pedestrian bridge deck is supported by steel cables attached to two glue laminated (glulam) wooden arches. Full design details can be found on the structural cross-
section design drawings.
​
​
​
Finalizing the Boardwalk Foundation Design
March 26th, 2019
​
The Boardwalk has been designed as a 10-foot span simply supported structure. The loads have been updated and increased, forcing the piles to reach 2 feet into the sand layer, increasing the axial capacity to 32.1 kips per pile, appropriate for the loads above. Along with the axial capacity, the lateral capacity must be accounted for. In the same design with conservative loads including an impact load of 3 kips, the current design remains applicable. In order for the construction of the piles to go smoothly, they will be driven using a vibrating hammer. Using the specifications of the pile’s properties, the team managed to find an optimal vibrating hammer design in order to keep construction quick and not to damage the piles as they are driven into the ground.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
February 21st, 2019
After receiving the loads from the structural team, the geotechnical team was able to begin the design of the boardwalk foundation. Using a program called GROUP, we were able to analyze the behavior of piles subjected to both axial and lateral loads. Based on a preliminary analysis of the software, the capacity for one pile was 14.8 kips, using the USCS (Army Corp) method. The pile specifications included a 10 inch diameter, 6.5 foot stickup from the ground surface, and a total length of 17 feet. In order to increase the longevity of the pile and limit the need for repair, the specifications of the pile were chosen based on conservative load calculations.
​
​
Understanding Timber Manual and Determining Loads
February 16th, 2019
The timber manual is much more straightforward then the steel manual because there is not as many shapes like steel has. The manual also is very similar to a textbook, where it helps you step by step to assign appropriate shapes. The wood that the structural team decided to use for all structures is Douglas Fern. Using ASCE 7, appropriate loads were selected and factored to then pick the appropriate shapes. Some loads found are snow loads to be 30 psf and walkway loads to be 60 psf. During the next weeks, the structural team will now use the loads to design the elevated surface, boardwalk, and pedestrian bridge. These designs will be based on the estimated loads and designed according to the standards found in the timber manual. Also, the different shapes will be a constraint how long the spans of the structures would be.
​
Site Observation - Tree Circumference
November 12th, 2018
​
Now that we have chosen The Canopy Community as our optimal design, we can begin more specified research. As part of this research, we explored the site with a focus on identifying the minimum tree circumference we are willing to keep in the area of design. Anything under this minimum circumference including shrubbery and smaller trees would be cleared once the design is implemented. Trees at our above this circumference would stay on site and would become part of The Canopy Community. The optimal tree circumference was decided to be anything greater than 4 feet. Additional site observations will be necessary in the future as we approach the design portion of the project.
​
​
Final Design Decision
November 7th, 2018
After reviewing the design matrix and receiving feedback from our peers and professors, we decided to choose The Canopy Community as our optimal design. The Canopy Community is something that not many campuses have and could be a marketing tool for the college. A positive about this alternative is it is the most affordable because it will be constructed of timber. Another positive is it is the most environmentally friendly which is something that was a goal when selecting optimal design. The previous issue of designing around the wetlands will not be a problem since the canopy community will be elevated off the surface and the footing will not be placed in the wetlands. As a safety measure, our final design cannot be too high off the ground to reduce the risk of injury due to falling and must also be visible from Metzger Road. Using timber design, having trees grow around the platform, and placing lights surrounding the location will create an aesthetically pleasing environment for individuals. Our goal is to create a safe environment on campus that will offer a place of seclusion and relaxation away from the classroom.
Decision Matrix
October 25th, 2018
After finalizing our three alternatives we decided to rate them based upon different constraints that include Attraction, Safety, Social, Space, Accessibility, Economics, Environmental, Weather, Geo technical, and Structural. We weighed all of these constraints based on which ones we thought was most important for our design, 3 being most important and 1 being least. Once we finished calculating these categories, the Canopy Community design came out on top with a score of 56, second place was the amphitheater with a score of 50, and last was the Rooftop Garden with a low score of 38. The matrix helped us organize our thoughts and going into the alternative presentation we hope we can get more feedback to finally pick our top design.
Further Testing, Soil Profile, and Properties
October 9-19th, 2018
In order to further compare the soil to the boring logs, additional auger tests were conducted around the lakes. In total, three auger tests were performed, each with varying depths recorded. Based on the soil samples we recovered, we found that it matched up with the boring log data. Knowing this, we were able to generate a soil profile with distinct properties for each strata. Three main strata layers were determined: a cohesive (primarily silt) layer at the top, followed by a granular (primarily sand) layer, and ending with bedrock (decomposed shale). The profile and properties will be used to design the foundation of our project.
Boring Log Comparison
September 25th, 2018
Using multiple boring logs the team was able to match soil properties from the auger site to those shown in boring logs from previous boring tests. A total of six boring locations from NJDOT and Langan Engineering were used to match soil properties. The soil samples from augering on September 18, 2018 are similar to the first 18 inches of all the collected boring logs.
​
Augering
September 18th, 2018
In order to verify the soil composition of our desired area of design, augering was performed. By comparing the field results with various boring logs recorded around our design site, we were able to confirm the soil composition. Despite digging after a rainstorm, the rocky soil only allowed us to auger about 18 inches into the ground. Although only few mason jars were filled, we were able to identify the soil properties.
