[ON SITE]
Safe Port in a Storm
A Typhoon-Resistant Hangar for Andersen AFB
For aircraft that cant be
flown off Guam before a
storm hits, protection is
a priority.
The destructive power of a typhoon is
unequaled in nature, something like a
Midwestern tornado that stays for hours
in the same spot. When logistics place
strategically important military bases in the
path of tropical storms, equipment losses can
be substantial.
The U. S. Navy chose the team of Black
Construction Corp./Burns & McDonnell
to design and build a Navy/Air Force
maintenance hangar at Andersen Air Force
Base, on the typhoon and earthquake-prone
island of Guam. The hangar would have to
withstand 170-mph winds and zone four
seismic shocks in order to protect aircraft that
cant be flown to safety before a storm hits.
15 2006 No. 3
Challenges
Building a hangar to withstand natural
forces and contain the systems needed to
service modern aircraft, such as the B-2 and
B-52, proved challenging. An arched, precast-
concrete structure would be strong, but it
changed configuration of the space available
for ductwork and other features.
Fuel cell maintenance and the application
and repair of sensitive spray coatings
imposed stringent fire protection and HVAC
requirements. The air conditioning system
needed the capacity to cool the hot skin of
a B-52 down to 72 degrees within eight hours
tropical outside air notwithstanding.
HVAC equipment and ductwork, a specialized
foam fire suppression system, an interior
bridge crane and the means to install them
had to be designed for the high, curved roof.
Limited space in the exterior mechanical yard
further complicated layout and design.
A tight schedule turned up the pressure.
Detailed design and construction contracts
had to be completed within six months with
governmental approvals at the 60 percent, 100
percent and final design stages.
The remote island location of the project
made proper phasing and sequencing
essential and meeting equipment and
material lead times critical. Any delay could
derail the process.
Solutions
To make the most of limited space, the
hangar was required to have tow-through
service through two sets of massive sliding
hangar doors. Burns & McDonnells aircraft
taxiway modeling analysis identified wing tip
clearance issues and conflicts posed by the
current site conditions related to the tail of a
B-52 aircraft exiting the hangar.
 [ON SITE]

The design team resolved the spatial conflict

by reconfiguring the layout, extending the east
tow way in front of the hangar by 23 meters.

Thermodynamic analysis revealed that

eight 60-ton ACCU/AHU systems would
meet cooling requirements. Eight vertically
mounted foam generators were positioned
to discharge high expansion foam that covers
the silhouette of a B-52 within one minute.
An analog addressable fire alarm system,
duct smoke detectors, and a multi-spectrum
infrared flame detection system radio-linked
to the bases fire station provided extra fire
protection.

Using 3-D modeling software, designers

continually checked the piping, electrical
and duct designs for conflicts, thus avoiding
construction delays. They pushed to complete
the complicated HVAC, fire suppression
systems and other mechanical design features
before the required contract date in order to
allow for lead time to purchase materials and
arrange for delivery to the site.

As another storm
season unfolds, the
hangar provides a
safe haven for one of
the Air Forces most
valuable assets.
Burns & McDonnell structural engineer Philip
Terry worked on site to approve construction
and coordinate with the Department of
Defense team overseeing the project.

Outcome
The U.S. Navy and Air Force did an
outstanding job of expediting approvals,
says project manager Mike Roark. The
extraordinary degree of cooperation of
everyone involved allowed the successful
completion of this most challenging and
mission-critical project.

The Black/Burns & McDonnell team

completed the hangar on schedule and within
budget, earning an Outstanding project
performance rating. As another storm season
unfolds, the hangar provides a safe haven for
one of the Air Forces most valuable assets, the
B-2 bomber.

For more information, contact Mike Roark, (816) 822-3190.

BURNS & McD ONNELL 16