The end wall trusses for this project required a critical lift using two cranes. As well as supporting typical loads, the T6 truss also supported 46 tons of end wall girt framing and approximately half of the 140 tons of the second floor and roof of the lobby entrance.
Steel team leads connection design Consistent with recent trends in the industry, the connection design was delegated to the steel team. This proved to be a benefit by allowing different options to facilitate preferred methods of both fabrication and erection and the ability to create “erection-friendly” connections. However, establishing a framework of shared understanding with the design team was essential and remained an important focus throughout the project. When information such as preset elevations at raker beams were needed from the design team, Deem’s commitment to straightforward, open communication with the Engineer of Record
regarding design criteria and the associated requirements outlined in the AISC Code of Standard Practice helped ensure a successful project outcome. Utilizing a turnkey steel service approach proved beneficial for this job, enabling the steel team to explore various options to add productivity and safety value. The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences stands as a tribute to the performer’s legacy and will be a cultural hub and first-class music venue for many generations to come.
Museum and Performance Center receive Honorable Mention Two entries, one each for Class III and Class IV, were additionally recognized by SEAA with Honorable Mention—CAS Steel Erectors, Inc., Hendersonville, N.C., for the International African American Museum Project in Charleston, S.C. and Cooper Steel, Shelbyville, Tenn., for Nashville’s Belmont University Performing Arts Center. International African American Museum, Charleston, S.C. Class III Honorable Mention Erector: CAS Steel Erectors, Inc. Fabricator & Detailer: Lyndon Steel Company, LP Architect: Moody Nolan, Inc. Structural Engineer: Guy Nordenson and Associates GC: Turner-Brownstone Contract Value: $1.5 million Tons of Steel: 1,033
■ Hazard zone construction When the City of Charleston set out to build a museum at Gadsden’s Wharf, the site where enslaved Africans first landed in America, project planners had to mitigate a variety of natural hazards. The state of South Carolina is subject to hurricanes, earthquakes, and flooding, so for this new 41,760 sq ft elevated building, planners designed a seismic load resistant (SLR) system to withstand any potentially destructive events. The SLR system incorporated connections with hundreds of inches of field welding, 220 standard moment connections, and 110 rigid frame moment weld connections. Box columns were fabricated from steel plate up to 2” thick since HSS columns would not withstand the anticipated forces and loads. Some of the SLR welds required welders qualified in AWS 1.8 Annex C. CAS Steel erected structural steel and decking and built a temporary canopy where beams cantilevered out toward the waterfront over the boardwalk. They also erected scaffolding to temporarily shore cantilevered beams and hold elevations at the building perimeter until moment welds were completed.
38 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
