Value engineering architecture: The single-wythe brick wall

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:501751

Gransberg, D D; Giaccardo, M A ^[1]

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1. Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, TX (United States)

This paper describes a cross-disciplinary approach to the controversial issue of Value Engineering in building projects which have a strong architectural component. The approach advocates conducting the Value Engineering study concurrently with the design before major elements of design are selected. This then allows both the architect and the engineer the time to blend their respective talents to produce a structure with is both cost effective and aesthetically pleasing. The paper presents the results of a value engineering analysis of a new design approach for light commercial buildings. The approach uses a pre-engineered steel structure to provide the major structural strength and a single-wythe brick wall to provide the exterior envelope. The study`s purpose was to investigate this approach and determine if the approach was economically viable as a means to justify expending further research effort in this direction. The design approach was found to be quite viable offering a savings on the order of 15% of first cost over conventional reinforced concrete masonry unit and structural steel buildings of the same size.

• OSTI ID: 501751
• Report Number(s): CONF-961239--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
42 ENGINEERING
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
COST ESTIMATION
DESIGN
ENGINEERING