Structural Framing Systems

A major feature I was interested in exploring when I first started thinking about this project was the use of natural materials, mainly using timber in the construction of the ice rink. Most ice rinks I have been to have large exposed steel beams spanning the ceiling of the rink (Figure 2). However, I know it is possible to use timber, and I know it has been done before in an ice center (Figure 1).

I will be taking inspiration from the project shown in Figure 1 - The Rinks Anaheim ICE. This report talks about the process of the project team’s decision in using wood rather than the traditional steel roof system. In summary, the roof is made of “southern yellow pine glulam girders [spanning 116 feet] and solid sawn Douglas-fir purlins spaced at 48” on center” with reinforced concrete columns.

I do not have confidence in my limited modeling skills and experience to incorporate a similar arched roof style into my ice center, so I will instead simply use large spans of wood connecting to concrete columns for the ice surface spaces. The structural framing will be in the inside of the envelope and left exposed.

The ice surface spaces both have high ceilings, as in the ceiling for these spaces is simply the roof. So, the only open unobstructed spaces would be the lengths and widths of the ice surfaces. I am thus able to place concrete columns in the other spaces of the ice center. This will include The open work space at the second floor. I will still leave the dance studio and gym unobstructed by a column.

Footings for Level 1 columns are 72” x 48” x 18”.

The ice rink surfaces will require very large timber girders, as it must span a large width. I would be using custom 10-3/4” x 24-3/4” glulam girders, similar to the material used in the The Rinks Anaheim project. The structural qualities I used to create a new material in Revit can be found in this spec sheet. The girders in total span about 95’ to 116’ in the NHL rink and 122’ to 130’ in the Olympic rink spaces. The girders would thus be split into shorter spans and connected using moment splices. This would also allow for better transportability. These same girders will be used throughout the rest of the building to allow for a more open below deck space underneath Level 2 and workspace at Level 2. Columns will be placed along the walls of other spaces, such as the gym and kitchen.

Beams are the same glulam material as the girders, but 10-3/4” x 20-5/8”. This shorter length is because the span of the beams are generally 20’, so a bigger beam is not needed for the load.

Joists are the provided timber softwood material loaded from Autodesk family. The dimensions of the purlins in The Rinks Anaheim are not provided in the reported, so I have arbitrarily picked joists with a nominal dimensions of 8” x 10”. This size is smaller than the girders and beams but not too small in relation. Because of the general bigger size, I will also be placing them 6’ apart, which is greater than the 4’ spacing of the The Rinks Anaheim.

Below Level 2, girders run on the E-W axis and beams run on the N-S to support Level 2. This allows for less columns underneath Level 2 as I want this space to be more open for an outdoor seating/garden area.

I used 24x30 Rectangular Concrete Columns for all the columns in the building. In the interior of the building, columns are placed as necessary to support the girders in the lateral direction of the ice rinks. Most of the interior columns come from Level 1 to the Roof level (30’) in the ice rink spaces. The columns on Level 2 to support the indoor girders are 15’. The outdoor columns at Level 1 that support the Level 2 deck are also 15’.

Upon making the structural model, I will have to make adjustments to the architectural model to resolve clashes. This includes moving in/out the building envelope where necessary so that it envelopes the structural frame. There is also a column on Level 2 that is placed right in front of the door to the kitchen and openings for the cafe - these elements must be adjusted. I think I will also adjust the dance studio so that the west wall is flush with the columns near it. The same will need to be done with the wall of the Olympic ice viewing area.