Turner employs rare 'collapsible' steel truss system at Seattle light rail station

To speed construction of the $110 million Capitol Hill Station light-rail station in Seattle, general contractor Turner Construction will use an unusual temporary framing method for the project's underground spaces.

Like building a ship in a bottle, the "collapsible" steel truss system will be lowered into the shaft and expanded to form the framework for the station's concrete walls and floors, according to CHS Capitol Hill Seattle Blog.

Using the steel truss system, Turner will complete 40 feet at a time. Once the concrete is dry, the framework will be collapsed and used to create the next section. The frame system also incorporates PVC piping that will circulate cool water to assist in concrete curing time.

The station is scheduled to open in 2016.

(http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2013/02/22/innovative-wall-floor-construction-set-to-begin-inside-capitol-hill-station)

Architectural concrete as we know it today was invented in the 19th century. It reached new heights in the U.S. after World War II when mid-century modernism was in vogue, following in the footsteps of a European aesthetic that expressed structure and permanent surfaces through this exposed material. Concrete was treated as a monolithic miracle, waterproof and structurally and visually versatile.

Blast Hazard Mitigation: Building Openings for Greater Safety and Security

Advances and Challenges in Improving Indoor Air Quality HorizonTV

Coronavirus | Jan 20, 2022

Advances and challenges in improving indoor air quality in commercial buildings

Michael Dreidger, CEO of IAQ tech startup Airsset speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield about how building owners and property managers can improve their buildings' air quality.

3D Printing | Jan 12, 2022

Using 3D-printed molds to create unitized window forms

COOKFOX designer Pam Campbell and Gate Precast's Mo Wright discuss the use of 3D-printed molds from Oak Ridge National Lab to create unitized window panels for One South First, a residential-commercial high-rise in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Total steel project performance

This instructor-led video course discusses actual project scenarios where collaborative steel joist and deck design have reduced total-project costs. In an era when incomplete structural drawings are a growing concern for our industry, the course reveals hidden costs and risks that can be avoided.

Architects | Dec 20, 2021

Digital nomads are influencing design

As our spaces continue to adapt to our future needs, we’ll likely see more collaborative, communal zones where people can relax, shop, and work.

Urban Planning | Dec 15, 2021

EV is the bridge to transit’s AV revolution—and now is the time to start building it

Thinking holistically about a technology-enabled customer experience will make transit a mode of choice for more people.

Healthcare Facilities | Dec 15, 2021

MEP design considerations for rural hospitals

Rural hospitals present unique opportunities and challenges for healthcare facility operators. Oftentimes, the infrastructure and building systems have not been updated for years and require significant improvements in order to meet today’s modern medical demands. Additionally, as these smaller, more remote hospitals are acquired by larger regional and national healthcare systems, the first step by new ownership is often to update and rehabilitate the building. But how can this be done thoughtfully, economically, and efficiently in ways that allow the engineering and facility staff to adapt to the changes? And how can the updates accurately reflect the specific needs of rural communities and the afflictions with which these areas most commonly face?