COVER STORY
By Tina Cauller
COMMON SENSE and
Collaboration
Arena construction made easier, safer and more efficient with thoughtful communication and modifications
Milwaukee Bucks Arena, Milwaukee, Wis. Class IV ($2.5 million and above) Erector: J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc. Structural Engineer: GRAEF Fabricator & Detailer: Merrill Steel GC: Mortenson Architect: Populous, HNTB, and EUA Contract Value: $15.1 million Tons of Steel: 8,000 Photo Credit: Populous
J
P Cullen’s remarkable resourcefulness and commitment to safety has earned the company well-deserved recognition by SEAA, who selected the Milwaukee Bucks Arena as Class IV Project of the Year. There were just 290 days between setting the first piece of steel and the topping off celebration, which marked the conclusion of an extraordinary accomplishment by the JP Cullen team. The Milwaukee Bucks Arena was erected using approximately 8,000 tons of structural steel. The steel construction consisted of typical structural column and beam steel framing for the surrounding bowl structure, including six levels plus a roof. The roof over the arena floor consisted of nine long-span roof trusses approximately 33 feet deep.
Tina Cauller is a graphic designer and freelance writer with 30 years of experience reporting for trade and technical publications in building construction and real estate markets. She can be reached at tinacauller@gmail.com 28 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Tight schedule, tight quarters Workers were confronted with an aggressive schedule as the owners were looking to open the new arena in time for the 2018-2019 season. Since the project began in early November, crane operation was subject to the whims of wintry Wisconsin weather, including snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and high winds. If the anemometer on the crane measured wind speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour, lifting of the roof trusses had to be stopped until it fell below the threshold. The inability to control Mother Nature made it even more imperative to carefully orchestrate operations and support the timely achievement of project milestones. Since most of the structure was steel framed, steel fabrication and delivery was the critical path for all other follow-on activities and creating a reliable schedule to supply the material