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
Minnie Howard Campus, Alexandria, VA
SGH performed building enclosure consulting and commissioning services for the project, which is expected to earn LEED certification and achieve net-zero energy, complying with the City of Alexandria Green Building Policy and Environmental Actions Plan 2040.
Northeast
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, International Design Center, Tectonics of Transparency: The Wall
Acting as a symbol of the creative and cutting-edge work taking place in the center, the sculpture is not made of typical laminated glass units. SGH provided structural design services for the project.