Philadelphia Zoo – Structural Consulting and 3D Scanning

Krech Ojard & Associates is working continually to expand our service areas and experience. Our varied project experience set creates opportunities in emerging markets and unique established markets that have developing needs for more advanced engineering services. These situations are made for Krech Ojard professionals.

ZOOLOGICAL PARKSKrech Ojard has worked with zoological parks, gardens, menageries, and zoos on animal enclosures and environments. These unique containment systems need to echo a natural environment for the benefit of the animal inhabitants and the visitors alike. As such, they often demand unique structural building materials, elements, and systems. Elements, such as water features, rockwork, and artificial trees, can be used to greatly enhance the natural set tings of the enclosure while also providing structural support to customized, engineered systems. These systems can vary from high tensile wire mesh enclosures to engineered fencing or a more historical moat-enclosure system. Also, specialized transfer trails or enclosed pathways can be designed to allow a greater range of animal travel and visitor viewing.

Krech Ojard’s varied structural engineering and design experience allows for the opportunity to provide a customized design with a focus on construction costs and ease enclosure aesthetics, visitor experience, and most importantly, the animal inhabitants themselves.

Also, with long standing working relationships with architectural firms and contractors on zoological exhibits and environments, Krech Ojard’s experience across the nation is growing quickly as well as our understanding of new species at every turn.

ZOOLOGICAL

PHILADELPHIA ZOO MULTIPLE PROJECTS Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Krech Ojard & Associates (KOA) provided structural design services to CLR Design (Philadelphia, PA) for new and unique animal exploration trails at the Philadelphia Zoo. This project included enclosed pathways for small primates, apes and carnivores, as well as bears in the future. KOA provided customized, engineered solutions with a focus on aesthetics and reducing construction costs to help CLR Design realize the Philadelphia Zoo’s vision.

The small primate exploration trail is an elevated, enclosed mesh trail connecting similar exploration trails to the existing orangutan trail system. KOA was responsible for engineering steel support posts, footings, and mesh rigging systems. The ape exploration trail is an elevated box truss system connecting the gorilla yard to the existing orangutan trail system. It also included the design of a demonstration feeding platform and two transfer vestibules. The structural design completed by KOA built upon the existing orangutan trail system with an eye to improve aesthetics, schedule, and cost. KOA was also responsible for engineering the carnivore exploration trails, which include a mesh ground trail along Bird Lake, an elevated Vierendeel truss trail, and a curved pipe bridge trail for carnivores crossing above the zoo’s main path. The structures, trails, and included vestibules allow the animals a much greater range of travel to explore new environments, while providing an intriguing, up close visitor experience.

KOA also provided engineering services for the roof retrofit of two big cat enclosures. Through the addition of mesh roofing to the lion and tiger enclosures, all of the big cats can occupy any of the enclosures for exhibit flexibility and rotation.

Three Dimensional ScanningOnce the scope and geometric complications of this unique environment became clear, KOA suggested the use of 3D scanning. The zoo hired KOA to perform 3D scans of the zoo’s project areas which resulted in the consolidation of existing dimensional information into an electronic file package. The final electronic model allowed coordination between disciplines in areas where traditional field measurements were not possible or reliable.

The laser scans produce accurate point cloud data and panoramic imagery to create an accurate 3D model. This 3D electronic design environment was used to fit new structures and upgrades within the current environment with much greater precision. Even small tree branches reaching through truss systems were identified and evaluated by the designers. The use of 3D scanning greatly reduced field verification time, the need for field fabrication, and the number of field modifications.

CARNIVOREELEVATED TRAILPhiladelphia ZooPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaKOA designed two elevated trails for the containment of large

cats/carnivores. One trail connects the leopard enclosure to the new carnivore bridge in the Big Cat Falls area of the Zoo. The carnivore bridge then spans the Zoo’s main walkway and connects to the carnivore ground trial. This bridge, curving both horizontally and vertically, was a challenge to design as it snaked its way through existing columns and walls. It consists of rolled steel pipe with a mesh chute on top and provides a place for the large cats to hang out above the main path for all visitors to see. This exhibit opened in May of 2014.

APE ELEVATED TRAILSPhiladelphia ZooPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaSimilar to the small primate trail, the orangutan trail was built in a previous phase. In

this phase, KOA designed a similar trail with emphasis on increasing the aesthetics while decreasing cost. The box truss system, scheduled to be completed in spring of 2015 and comprised of structural tubes, is designed as a panelized system for easier shipment and field erection. Bolted splices also reduce the need for field welding on the galvanized structure. This elevated trail will extend from the gorilla yard, connecting the existing orangutan trail, allowing both species to have more room to explore. The trail will also display the animals elevated in the Gorilla Forest area providing a unique experience for zoo visitors.

SMALL PRIMATE ELEVATED TRAILS Philadelphia ZooPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaIn previous phases, the Zoo had constructed elevated mesh trails

supported by steel cables and columns that cross visitor paths and connect mesh play nodes. These trails serve to put the small primates on display as well as let them explore a greater area at the zoo. KOA has designed a continuation of the system, connecting the existing small primate trail to the existing Orangutan trial. This will provide small primate access to all of the big ape trails. Construction for this system is slated to be completed in the spring of 2015.

Round Aerial Pipe Bridge Trail

Ground Trail

ExistingAerial Truss Trail

Aerial Truss Trails

EXTERIOR LEOPARD EXHIBITMINNESOTA ZOOApple Valley, MinnesotaAt the Minnesota Zoo’s Leopard Exhibit, Krech Ojard engineers were involved with three separate

enclosures and one maternity den. KOA coordinated efforts between A thru Z Consulting and Geiger Engineers, who analyzed the three enclosures. KOA also used the results from Geiger Engineer’s analysis to design cable connections to the concrete piers, wall and shotcrete walls of the exhibit.

IRVINE PARK ZOO FOREST CARNIVORE ENCOUNTERChippewa Falls, WisconsinKrech Ojard & Associates created the structural designs for the Forest

Carnivore Encounter exhibit at the Irvine Park Zoo. The bobcat and cougar enclosures are a combined 5,500sf and features a high tension cable supported roof. The 5,300sf black bear enclosure highlights an integral artificial rock surround. Along with these exhibits, KOA also provided structural engineering for ancillary exhibits and structures with interior holding areas at the zoo.

CALIFORNIA LIVING MUSEUM (CALM) Kern County – Bakersfield, California

Krech Ojard & Associates (KOA) developed the structural design for the cat exhibit including the foundations, structures, and the associated detailing. Steve Cechvala, AIA provided the architectural vision and design. Teamwork was essential in producing a successful design that met all aesthetic and structural criteria while remaining cost efficient.

The final exhibit for Kern County included a state of the art bobcat and mountain lion exhibit as well as a holding building and visitor viewing structure. The exhibit consisted of cable mesh enclosures supported on structural steel and reinforced building structures.

Rockwork and water features were developed to match the enclosure environment to the local california landscape. The exhibit provided a natural habitat for the eight resident animals and a wonderful experience for all visitors that could be viewed from multiple locations around the enclosure.

The exhibit opened in 2010 with a final cost of approximately $2.5 million.

POLAR BEAR ODYSSEYCOMO ZOO St. Paul, MinnesotaKrech Ojard provided structural engineering services related to minor enclosure/roofing

attachment calculations for the Polar Bear Odyssey at the Como Zoo. KOA worked as a subconsultant for A thru Z Consulting.

PALM DESERT ZOO JAGUAR EXHIBITPalm Desert, CaliforniaWorking directly for the General Contractor, G.L.Scrivens Construction Inc., Krech Ojard

developed the structural design of the Jaguar enclosure, holding building and exhibit yard at the Palm Desert Zoo in California. The enclosure consisted of a mesh structure supported with cables attached to steel columns and the holding building. KOA was responsible for the analysis of all structural elements including the cables, columns, and building elements. KOA was also responsible for the structural design and detailing of these elements for construction, as well as construction administration.

ASSINIBOINE PARK ZOO SNOWY OWL MESH ENCLOSURE Winnipeg, ManitobaKOA structural engineers worked with A Thru Z Consulting to provide

structural engineering design for a new snowy owl mesh enclosure at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. The enclosure was designed using the National Building Code of Canada using ice, snow, and wind loads as stipulated in the code. Krech Ojard also provided drawings and elevations detailing columns, cables, and connections required for construction. Column reactions and general foundation requirements were also provided to the local foundation engineer.

LOUISVILLE ZOO – SEA EAGLE AVIARY Louisville, Kentucky

Krech Ojard & Associates (KOA) was initially brought on to the Louisville Aviary project by A thru Z Consulting to provide general structural consulting concerning the provided aviary enclosure design. During this preliminary work it was determined that the current design would not meet the desired design parameters and codes.

KOA was then contracted by the project general contractor, Sullivan and Cozart, to provide a design that would meet all local codes and desired requirements. Star ting with the early architectural design,

KOA performed a structural analysis and design of the enclosures.

Coordination was key during the design process. General

enclosure requirements and alternate attachment/support points on the holding and viewing buildings was coordinated with the local architect and engineers. KOA also coordinated existing field conditions and potential construction issues with the general contractor.

Most importantly, KOA coordinated with the zoo on space, height, and clearance restrictions around the nest area of the habitat to maintain a safe environment for the seas eagles to occupy. The final enclosure

design included guyed steel columns for the sea eagle residence.

Our understanding of caging systems, and experience working with specialty fabricators allowed us to complete a fast-track design that met the needs of the zoo, architect, and contractors while minimizing impact to the schedule.

POLAR SHORESPOLAR BEAR ENVIRONMENTLake Superior ZooAfter the June flood of 2012, KOA was hired to conduct a structural

assessment of the Lake Superior Zoo Polar Shores Exhibit. KOA visually observed the 1985 viewing structure as well as the 1930’s original building. In a few areas, soil was excavated to determine the extent of some flood damaged sidewalks near the viewing enclosure.

AVIARIESLake Superior ZooKOA structural engineers have reviewed and developed solutions over time for multiple aviary enclosures,

connections, and foundations for the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, Minnesota.

LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO - MULTIPLE PROJECTS Duluth, Minnesota

Krech Ojard has provided structural consulting and design services for the Lake Superior Zoo for both park and animal enclosures for over 15 years.

Structural design work at the Lake Superior Zoo has included both solid and mesh designs of enclosures, habitats, aviaries, and ancillary structures containing bears, cougars, and tigers amongst other animal residents.

Services provided include:• Structural Inspections• Structural design• High tensile wire enclosures• Environment massings• Structural foundation and floor reinforcements

SIBERIAN TIGER STRUCTURELake Superior ZooThe Lake Superior Zoo retained KOA structural engineers for inspection and design services related to an environment

wall massing in their Siberian Tiger exhibit. The free standing artificial rock massing is one of the tallest structures in the zoo.

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