Structurally Sound Engineering USU Animal Science Building Upgrade

Team: Grant Drollinger, Ben Erickson, Ivymae Gowans, Kali Jackson, Isabelle Santini, and Kutter Wright

Project Summary -

Utah State University built the Animal Science Building in 1917, and since then, various additions and renovations have taken place.

The existing condition of the Animal Science Building’s roof at Utah State University reflects significant deterioration due to age, with noticeable splintering in some structural members. This splintering can compromise the roof’s integrity, posing potential safety hazards for occupants and increasing the risk of water infiltration, which could further damage the building's interior. Additionally, the general wear and tear evident across the roof indicates that it may have surpassed its designed service life.

The building’s lack of adequate classroom space adds further challenges, as current facilities cannot comfortably accommodate the number of students or the functional needs of modern animal science programs. Expanding classroom space in conjunction with the roof replacement offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing the building’s utility.

Alternatives -

Need 1: Increase Classroom Space

Alternative 1: Convert Roof Space into Classrooms.
Alternative 2: Covert Office Space into Classrooms.
Alternative 3: Demolish and Rebuild.
Alternative 4: Build Expansion.

Need 2: Roof Structural Instability

Alternative 1: Replace the Roof.
Alternative 2: Retrofit the Roof.

Criteria & Selection Process -

Each alternative was evaluated against the following criteria using a scale from 1 to 5, and the alternative with the highest total score across all criteria was selected.

Criteria Evaluated -