Project Description
In 2003, we created structural steel detailing and limestone anchorage drawings for the barrel-vaulted entrance at the Teachers Federal Credit Union in Evansville, Indiana. While these images may appear old and crude for inclusion in a portfolio, they aim to convey the engineering intricacies involved. Structural drawings prioritize meticulousness, accuracy, and simplicity to highlight the actual framing members supporting the architects’ specified materials.
The architectural firm’s design for the project featured a 20-foot-wide recessed entrance with a barrel-vaulted arch at the top, entirely clad in Indiana limestone. Often overlooked in architectural planning is the method of support for such features, akin to a wizard magically suspending them in mid-air. Each outer piece of limestone on the barrel vault weighs approximately 1,000 pounds, totaling 8,000 pounds for just the outer pieces, posing a significant load above pedestrians’ heads.
To adequately distribute this weight, we employed structural steel across the entire assembly. A secondary structural steel frame, comprising rolled steel angles connected with horizontal supports, was added around the front and rear of the stepped barrel vault. Additionally, vertical angles along the vertical wall panels were positioned to integrate the rolled angles with the main structure and provide attachment points for numerous limestone anchors.
While the detailed structural drawings for the Teachers Federal Credit Union project included additional elements, the most pertinent ones provide an overview of the entire assembly. A different traditional drafting technique was employed for the framing elevation compared to the typical section cutting through the entire structure. On the left side of the barrel vault, a section cut approximately two feet in reveals the structural steel framing, while on the right, the section is extended about four feet back to display all components.
It is just structural detail complemented by a basic 3D model, isn’t it?
