Hotel in Secaucus, New Jersey

The design phase for a new, seven story Aloft hotel had been completed in November of 2014.  The structure, designed by Jason Sparrow of Ehlert/Bryan Inc., is comprised primarily of composite metal deck on top of light-gage steel stud bearing walls.  The International Building Code has changed a Construction Type provision that increases the design options of multi-story residential structures.  This report analyzes the feasibility of structural system, previously not allowed by code, by altering the structural design of the Aloft hotel. 

The analysis had been executed by first, validating that the current structural system is adequate in strength and serviceability, according to present codes.   A code study immediately followed in order to understand the requirements set by the new provision.  Gravity and lateral systems were then designed according to the code requirements. 

After designing the alternate structural system, a construction management breadth was used to analyze the cost and schedule of each structural system- the current structural system and that designed to new code.  An acoustical breadth studied serviceability standards and design options for the alternative system.  These two breadths ultimately lead to the decision of whether or not the alternate system is feasible or practical to construct.