Thornton Tomasetti, the international engineering firm, was the structural project engineer for the Pennsylvania State University Millennium Science Complex, home of the new Life and Materials Science programs for the University. Thornton Tomasetti worked with Executive Architect Rafael Viñoly and General Contractor Whiting Turner Construction Co.

The 275,600-square-foot complex comprises two four-story wings that converge over an entrance plaza, which features a unique open design in the roof. The two wings cantilever 154 feet over the plaza, supported by two tapered steel trusses on either side. Steps were taken to reduce the weight of the steel to allow the 154-foot span, resulting in reduced construction costs.

By creating a building information model (BIM), Thornton Tomasetti was able to expedite steel procurement and reduce construction cost by keeping the project on schedule for its opening in September 2011. In addition to BIM, the project team used Autodesk Revit as a primary tool for information exchange, and was able to maintain consistency and effective communication throughout the design and construction of the $190-million project.

The Millennium Science Complex houses the Materials Science program, which requires sensitive, state-of-the-art tools to be housed in a clean room with low acoustic and electromagnetic noise. The space is structurally isolated from the rest of the building, placed on 24-inch slabs at the intersection of the two wings, which cantilever over the quiet space to avoid vibration. A nanotech laboratory built in the complex requires strict motion control and was constructed in a floating area within the building to eliminate vibration. Wind tunnel tests helped refine the structural design to minimize vibration effects from wind loads on the cantilever.

The state-of-the-art machinery and equipment, as well as elements of structurally innovative design, aid in attracting distinguished researchers to the Life and Science programs. These researchers are key partners in providing an improved research environment and increasing new discoveries made at the university in ecology and evolution, prosthetics and new medical treatments with faculty from the Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

The science complex at Pennsylvania State University was built to meet LEED certification requirements. Design features include five green roof terraces to reduce storm water runoff.

Supporting Materials

» Pennsylvania State University Millennium Science Complex Project Page

About Thornton Tomasetti (www.ThorntonTomasetti.com)
Thornton Tomasetti is a leader in engineering design, investigation and analysis serving clients worldwide on projects of all sizes and complexity. With practices in building structure, building skin, building performance, construction support services and property loss consulting, Thornton Tomasetti addresses the full life cycle of a structure. We have supported clients working in more than 40 countries, with projects that include the tallest buildings and longest spans to the restoration of prized historic properties. Founded in 1956, today Thornton Tomasetti is a 550-person organization of engineers and architects collaborating from offices across the United States and in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

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