Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yin/Yang Pavilion at Simmons Hall
Scope/Solutions
The Yin/Yang Pavilion, a sculpture designed by Dan Graham, is located on the second floor terrace of Simmons Hall at MIT. The curving sculpture, constructed from 7 ft high panels of laminated two-way mirror glass, rests in a reflecting pool on one side and gravel on the other. As a requirement of their contract, the steel fabricator called upon SGH to provide structural engineering services for the sculpture.
SGH provided structural calculations to verify the performance of the sculpture supported with stainless steel bars and posts. Highlights of our work include the following:
- Performed finite element analyses of the glass and the supporting stainless steel to compute stresses in the sculpture
- Determined design wind loads on the sculpture based on a review of the wind tunnel study and ASCE-7
- Conducted a thermal analysis to study the effects of temperature on the glass during installation and provided recommendations
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Project Summary
2003
Completion Date
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Structures | Advanced Analysis
Markets
Education
Client(s)
Van Noorden Architectural Metalwork
Specialized Capabilities
Computational Mechanics
Key team members
Additional Projects
Northeast
Colby College Museum of Art, Alfond-Lunder Family Pavilion
The Colby Museum of Art offers 38,000 sq ft of exhibition space within a building built over many decades. SGH provided building enclosure consulting services for the 26,000 sq ft addition that includes 10,000 sq ft of exhibition space, studios, study and office space, and art storage.
Northeast
University of Hartford, Mortensen Library
The University of Hartford wanted to consolidate the Mortensen and Allen Libraries in one building, while accommodating new technology and adding collaborative work spaces. SGH was the structural engineer for the project.