University
of Nebraska Medical Center:
Durham Research Center
Omaha, Nebraska
Buildings Home > Case
Studies: Healthcare> Durham Research Center
 |
| Tom Kessler, Kessler Photography
|
The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) desired to expand their
medical research facilities and consolidate their high-end researchers
into one building. Anchoring the new research mall, the Durham Research
Center in Omaha, Nebraska fulfilled the wishes of UNMC. The Durham Research
Center enables UNMC to enhance its numerous areas of research, including
cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurosciences, transplantation biology,
genetics and eye research.
This world-class facility is highly functional with exceptional aesthetics.
The 289,000sf structure has nine stories and houses 116 state-of the-art
research laboratories, a 319-seat auditorium, conference rooms, and classrooms.
As the western edge of the property curves, the building perimeter follows
suit. The traditional brick façade gives way to a modern curved
curtainwall, unifying internal functionality with external artwork. The
northwest corner showcases an exposed intricate stair tower the full height
of the structure.
The structural framing system is wide-modular pan and joist construction.
The wide-modular joists are 13” wide by 20½ ” deep,
spaced at 5’-6” on center, spanning 25’ and 30’
lengths. They are supported on 36” x 20½ “ beams, which
span 22’-0”. This is the most economical framing system for
supporting the 125 psf design live load. The pan voids allow for easier
placement of plumbing and electrical components, as well as the void layout
fits easily into the modular lab units.
The facility resides in the side of a hill, creating a 40ft unbalanced
soil condition. The site required a mechanical stabilized earth (MSE)
system due to the high unbalanced soil loads. The upper 17’-0”
of the unbalanced earth pressure and the remaining lateral forces are
resisted by cast-in-place concrete shear walls with frame interaction.
The typical floor-to-floor heights are 16’-0”, supported on
30” diameter interior columns and 24” x 24” exterior
columns. The shear walls and columns used a concrete strength of 5,000psi,
while the floors concrete strength was a standard 4,000psi mix design.
An estimated 23,000 cubic yards of concrete were required for the structure
– enough concrete to pave approximately 25 football fields.
The project was completed by the 24 month construction timeline and within
the prescribed budget. Except for $2.5 million from the Federal government,
the entire $77 million budget was generated by private funds.
Concrete - The Better Outcome
The structural engineer of record, Michael Kuhse, stated “Concrete
is the superior framing material for buildings of this use.” Cast-in-place
concrete has natural characteristics and stiffness advantages for vibration
reduction, which is a great concern for research facilities. Preliminarily,
the concrete design was more expensive than steel. After the steel design
sizes were increased to account for vibration control, concrete became
more competitive in pricing.
Concrete also has the strength to support the heavy laboratory loads
with an economical floor depth, while accommodating the complex floor
layout to allow for a more “flowable” design. The intricate
stairwell in the northwest corner, dictated by the architect, lent itself
to using concrete. This prominent architectural feature called for cast-in-place
exposed colored concrete to make its statement.
|
 |
Case Studies:
Cultural Buildings
Educational Institutions
Green Buildings
Healthcare
Hospitality
ICF Buildings
Luxury Residential
Mixed Use
Office Buildings
Religious Structures
Tilt-Up Buildings
| Owner:
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska
Architect:
HDR, Inc.
Omaha, Nebraska
Structural Engineer:
HDR, Inc.
Omaha, Nebraska
General Contractor:
Hawkins Construction
Omaha, Nebraska
Concrete Supplier:
Ready Mixed Concrete Company
Omaha, Nebraska
|
|
|