2022 CFSEI CREATIVE DETAIL AWARD WINNER

FIRST PLACE

STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION LLC - POUNDERS HAWAIIAN GRILL - WAVE FEATURE
CRESTVIEW, FLORIDA

Pounders Hawaiian Grill - Wave Feature
6276 Old Bethel Road
Crestview, Florida 32536

Completion Date: July 2022 est.
Construction Cost: $2 million

Owner: Pounders Hawaiian Grill
Architect of Record:  Dalrymple Sallis Architecture 
Engineer of Record for Structural Work: Max Spencer, P.E., Max Spencer Engineering
Cold-Formed Steel Specialty Engineer: John Lyons, P.E. and Jennifer Landrum, Structural Evolution LLC
Cold-Formed Steel Specialty Contractor: Dennis Foster Jr., Foster and Company, LLC 
Award Entry Submitted by: John Lyons, P.E., Structural Evolution LLC

Project Background

This project consists of a new Hawaiian-themed restaurant on the Florida Gulf Coast. The building exterior’s focal point is a large wave feature that sets the theme for the restaurant. This wave feature is 11’-6” tall and 21’-8” wide. It consists of cold-formed steel framing only, clad with stucco. A surfboard beneath the crest of the wave serves as a bench for waiting guests.

Design Challenges and Solutions

The curved form of the wave and the complex geometry were the primary challenges. The secondary challenge was how to support the overhanging wave crest. The framing system needed to address these challenges while resisting hurricane wind loads of 140 mph, with a top live load of 100psf in case patrons decided to climb on the feature for taking photos.

We defined the complex geometry on a Wave Geometry Elevation, shown on Detail 1A/CFS-1. This drawing provided all dimensions necessary to set the perimeter members of the framing. Framing angles provide reinforcement at the curved corners of the feature. Vertical legs of the framing angles are snipped as needed to form the curves as shown on Detail 5/CFS-2.

The feature is framed with pairs of walls of varying heights, as shown on Detail 1,2,3,4/CFS-2. Rigid base clips anchor the trussed full-height frames. The walls at the wave crest have no bottom support, so a cantilevered truss carries the crest’s gravity loads. This cantilevered truss consists of a combination of flat strap tension members on the outside of the studs and cee-section compression members on the inside of the stud framing, as shown on Elevation 1/CFS-1.

Lateral wind load on the wave crest also required support. These lateral loads were carried by a curved 43mil top plate, as shown in the plan on Detail 2/CFS-1 and in the elevation on Detail 1/CFS-1. This top plate covered the entire width of the wave and was designed as a deep beam, carrying lateral wind loads to the full-height frames behind the crest. The plate attachment is shown on Detail 6/CFS-1.

Summary

Modern design challenges are requiring cold-formed steel framing engineers to design increasingly unusual structures with complicated forms that would have consisted of expensive concrete or structural steel in the past. By using cold-formed steel angles, studs, strapping, and plate in creative ways, we can create cost-effective and robust structures for our clients. Truly, cold-formed steel framing is the “wave” of the future!