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STAGGERED TRUSS
SteelSmart
S TA G G E R E D T R U SS
Mystic Marriott
Hotel & Spa
Location: Groton, CT
Architect: Brennan Beer
Gorman/Architects, L.L.P.
Structural Engineer: Wexler & Associates
General Contractor: Wolman Construction
System Overview
KEY BENEFITS
Staggered truss arrangement allows
clear, column-free open spaces of 60
feet or more through the full width of
the building at every bay, on every
floor.
Entire ground level of the building
is completely column-free, providing
more design freedom.
This lightweight steel and plank
system reduces foundation and
seismic loads by 20% or more, resulting in a significant reduction in foundation construction and cost.
An 8-thick floor system achieves
the lowest attainable floor-to-floor
heights.
High-quality, lightweight, all-weather
plank provides a semi-finished floor
and ceiling in one operation.
Field labor is kept to a minimum
with fewer pieces to erect, resulting
in faster construction and quicker
building completion.
Floor and frame components are plant
fabricated in a controlled environment,
increasing quality and reducing the
chance of errors.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The six-story, 210-room Mystic
Marriott Hotel & Spa overlooks
Connecticuts scenic Groton
Reservoir. The hotel was designed
to incorporate the scale and
imagery of classic New England
architecture. Its appearance is
reminiscent of the great hotels
from the turn of the century.
INCREASING SPEED
With fewer pieces to erect, the lightweight staggered truss system permitted
construction to progress at a faster pace
than traditional framing systems. This
reduced not only the building schedule,
but total overall project costs as well.
Though construction took place
throughout the winter months, the
structure was completed without delay.
REDUCING COSTS
Significant reductions in foundation
costs were achieved by choosing a
framing system that required fewer
columns and less steel tonnage.
Transfer girders, for instance, were
completely unnecessary at the second
floor over the hotels extensive public
spaces. Additional savings resulted from
the use of high-quality precast plank,
which provided a semi-finished floor
and ceiling, and eliminated the expense
of gypsum board. Fortunately, the
general contractor had the foresight to
specify carpet-ready plank, and saved
over $140,000 by eliminating the topping
specified in the original contract.
ENHANCING FLEXIBILITY
The staggered truss framing system
enabled the design and construction
teams to create the most flexible and
efficient floor plans possible. Public
areas within the hotel benefited the
most. The 10,000 square foot ballroom,
for example, is completely column-free.
This open layout permitted unobstructed
sight lines for guests, as well as a variety
of room configurations that maximized
occupancy. The restaurant and spa also
benefited. The absence of columns
allowed designers to place tables,
service areas, and treatment rooms in
the most efficient manner possible.
Vierendeel Opening
for Corridors
The lateral loads are resisted by the staggered trusses as braced frames, allowing
the plank floors to act as diaphragms. A
rigid connection between the trusses and
the plank was achieved with a modified
grout that was pumped into plank cores.
Nelson studs were welded to the truss
chords to transfer the diaphragm forces
between trusses.
ADDRESSING
ENGINEERING
CONCERNS
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