INNOVATION May-June 2018

CLASSROOMS OVER A GYMNASIUM The city’s largest Jewish elementary school, Vancouver Talmud Torah accommodates preschool programs, kindergarten, and grades 1 through 7. A significant structural challenge for Glotman•Simpson during the school renewal was the requirement for classrooms above the gymnasium. To achieve the long, uninterrupted 75-foot span over top of the gymnasium, Glotman•Simpson designed a series of storey-deep Vierendeel trusses constructed out of structural steel, which support the classroom level as well as the playfield roof. They worked closely with architects Acton Ostry to coordinate the layout of the vertical truss elements to coincide with the classroom walls and corridors. Each of the three large trusses was shipped in three sections and connected on site. They also worked collaboratively on the contractor’s side, by working closely with the steel fabricator to ensure that the erection process was seamless. Structural engineers: Glotman•Simpson Consulting Engineers. Scott Kenyon, P.Eng., Associate, James Macauley, P.Eng., Project Engineer BRIDGE REHABILITATION AND INTERSECTION UPGRADES The Burrard Bridge, built in 1932, is a civic icon and Vancouver’s only heritage bridge. The City of Vancouver recently completed work to rehabilitate the aging structure and retrofit it to accommodate growing numbers of people walking and cycling. The rehabilitation strategy included replacement of individual components of the bridge, heritage preservation and restoration, and adding means-prevention fencing. Each design decision was supported by cost comparisons, including initial and life cycle costing, and functional and heritage evaluations. The City also made significant safety improvements at the north end, which had one of the city’s highest rates of vehicle-to-vehicle collisions. The intersection now provides separate phases for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The project conserved the bridge’s heritage, significantly enhanced safety for all users, and maintained travel times for vehicular traffic. City of Vancouver: Dane Doleman, P.Eng., Paul Storer, P.Eng., David Currie, Ross Kenny, P.Eng. Associated Engineering: Shane Cook, P.Eng., Chris Cheng, P.Eng. Graham Infrastructure: Greg Cowie, P.Eng.

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