S TA G G E R E D T R U SS

Profiles of innovative steel frame solutions

Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa

Groton, Connecticut
STAGGERED TRUSS

P
L OW F LOOR - TO -F LOOR H EIGHT S TEEL S YSTEMS

P R O F I L E

SteelSmart

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System Overview
Staggered truss structural steel framing
is an excellent system for achieving the
low floor-to-floor heights necessary for
apartments, condominiums, hotels,
dormitories and senior residences. Each
staggered truss is one-story high and
extends the entire width of the building.
Trusses alternate from floor-to-floor,
and work in harmony with precast plank
that spans the top chord of one truss
and the bottom chord of the next. The
building’s only columns are found on the
exterior of the structure, which makes
the system ideal for rectilinear or curvi-
linear multi-story residential buildings
with a high degree of repetition in the
room layout.
KEY BENEFITS
• Staggered truss arrangement allows
clear, column-free open spaces of 60
feet or more through the full width of
the building at every bay, on every
floor.
• Entire ground level of the building
is completely column-free, providing
more design freedom.
• This lightweight steel and plank
system reduces foundation and
seismic loads by 20% or more, result-
ing in a significant reduction in foun-
dation construction and cost.
• An 8”-thick floor system achieves
the lowest attainable floor-to-floor
heights.
• High-quality, lightweight, all-weather
plank provides a semi-finished floor
and ceiling in one operation.
• Field labor is kept to a minimum
with fewer pieces to erect, resulting
in faster construction and quicker
building completion.
• Floor and frame components are plant
fabricated in a controlled environment,
increasing quality and reducing the
chance of errors.
S TA G G E R E D T R U SS
Mystic Marriott Location: Groton, CT
Architect: Brennan Beer
Hotel & Spa Gorman/Architects, L.L.P.
Structural Engineer: Wexler & Associates
General Contractor: Wolman Construction
Owner: Waterford Hotel Group
PROJECT SUMMARY
The six-story, 210-room Mystic
Marriott Hotel & Spa overlooks
Connecticut’s scenic Groton
Reservoir. The hotel was designed
to incorporate the scale and
imagery of classic New England
architecture. Its appearance is
reminiscent of the great hotels
from the turn of the century.
WHY STAGGERED TRUSS?
The design team considered
several construction systems in
the initial phase of the project,
including traditional cast-in-place
Above, Expansive Lobby of Mystic Marriott
concrete. However, the staggered
Below, Column-Free Ballroom Space
truss system was selected because
it offered all-weather construction,
decreased erection time, and ENHANCING FLEXIBILITY
reduced costs. Furthermore, the The staggered truss framing system
system provided building owners enabled the design and construction
and developers with the ultimate in teams to create the most flexible and
design flexibility and architectural efficient floor plans possible. Public
freedom. areas within the hotel benefited the
most. The 10,000 square foot ballroom,
INCREASING SPEED for example, is completely column-free.
With fewer pieces to erect, the light- This open layout permitted unobstructed
weight staggered truss system permitted sight lines for guests, as well as a variety
construction to progress at a faster pace of room configurations that maximized
than traditional framing systems. This occupancy. The restaurant and spa also
reduced not only the building schedule, benefited. The absence of columns
but total overall project costs as well. allowed designers to place tables,
Though construction took place service areas, and treatment rooms in
throughout the winter months, the the most efficient manner possible.
structure was completed without delay.
REDUCING COSTS
Significant reductions in foundation
costs were achieved by choosing a
framing system that required fewer
columns and less steel tonnage.
Transfer girders, for instance, were
completely unnecessary at the second
floor over the hotel’s extensive public
spaces. Additional savings resulted from
the use of high-quality precast plank,
which provided a semi-finished floor
and ceiling, and eliminated the expense
of gypsum board. Fortunately, the
general contractor had the foresight to
specify “carpet-ready” plank, and saved
over $140,000 by eliminating the topping
specified in the original contract.
 Vierendeel Opening
for Corridors
Trusses Are Staggered
from Floor-to-Floor
This cross-section depicts the staggered
truss framing layout for the Mystic
Marriott. The trusses were set at 28’ on
center, and designed with 10”-deep, wide-
flange chords. The plank is 8” thick and the
web members are tubular. Vierendeel panels
were incorporated at the corridor and at
designated points between rooms. All truss-
to-column connections were bolted.
ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE ENTIRE
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION TEAM
ADDRESSING
ARCHITECTURAL
CONCERNS
• Column-free interior spaces provide
layout flexibility and more architectural
freedom, especially at the lobby level.
• Acoustic advantages result from the
thicker walls and insulation.
• Fireproofing of the steel is accom-
plished within the walls.
• Precast plank system provides
fire-rated floors.
• Vierendeel openings in the trusses
permit space for mechanical, electrical,
and plumbing.
• Modular aspects of the system yield
symmetry.
• Trusses are produced from close to
100% recycled material.
Trusses Span the
Entire Building
Width
The lateral loads are resisted by the stag-
gered trusses as braced frames, allowing
the plank floors to act as diaphragms. A
rigid connection between the trusses and
the plank was achieved with a modified
grout that was pumped into plank cores.
Nelson studs were welded to the truss
chords to transfer the diaphragm forces
between trusses.
ADDRESSING
ENGINEERING
CONCERNS
• Lower structure weight provides
reduced seismic and foundation loads.
• Inherent stiffness of the trusses
provides an efficient lateral system.
• Floor-to-floor heights are minimized
by full-height trusses encapsulated
in the walls.
• Vierendeel openings in the truss allow
for a central corridor.
• Transfers above the column-free
space are eliminated.
• Trusses are fabricated to precise
tolerances in a controlled environment.
• Truss design is not technically
complicated, and modeling software
is readily available.
ADDRESSING THE GENERAL
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION
MANAGER CONCERNS
• Shop-fabricated truss reduces piece
count and speeds erection.
• Dry, all-weather system shortens the
construction schedule.
• Quicker erection permits other trades
to get on site sooner.
RECENT REPRESENTATIVE STAGGERED
TRUSS PROJECTS
• The Aladdin™ Resort & Casino,
Las Vegas, NV, 38 stories, 1999
• Riverview Senior Housing,
Edgewater, NJ, 14 stories, 1999
• The Embassy Suites,
New York, NY, 14 stories, 2000
• Half-Moon Harbor Condominiums,
North Bergen, NJ, 12 stories, 2001
• Clayton Park Apartments,
White Plains, NY, 8 stories, 2002
• Adam’s Landing Marriott Hotel,
Hartford, CT, 20 stories, 2003
• Precast plank provides a semi-
finished floor and ceiling in one
operation.
• Precast plank is lighter and more
cost-effective than flat-plate concrete.
• Cost savings accrue from the lighter
frame and lower foundation costs.
• Low floor-to-floor height reduces
building elevation and facade costs.
ADDRESSING THE BUILDING
OWNER/DEVELOPER
CONCERNS
• Quicker completion reduces the
construction financing costs, and
permits earlier project revenue
generation.
• Future building expansion plans and
modifications are easily accommodated.
• System achieves the required low
floor-to-floor height to meet specific
project requirements or building
height restrictions.
• Structural steel meets the overall
project need for reduced cost,
increased speed, and enhanced design
flexibility.
For more information or help
exploring a steel solution for
your next multi-story residential
building, contact:

American Institute
of Steel Construction
One East Wacker Drive
Suite 3100
Chicago, Illinois 60601-2000
312.670.5420
angell@aisc.org

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