Figure 2: Floor Plan
Civil Engineering
Town of Hamden Animal Shelter Structural Design
Civil Engineering
Town of Hamden Animal Shelter Structural Design
The Town of Hamden, Connecticut, has proposed the concept of an Animal Shelter to address a growing need within the community. Students from Quinnipiac University have been tasked with the site design, architectural layout and preliminary structural design of the shelter.
Overview
After being tasked with the site design, architectural layout and preliminary structural design of an animal shelter for the Town of Hamden, a team of Quinnipiac civil engineering students developed architectural and structural designs using modeling software, all while complying with regulations and industry standards.
Student Team
Jenna Castro '25
Civil Engineering
School of Computing & Engineering
Aidan Ceravolo '25
Civil Engineering
School of Computing & Engineering
Natalie Lyon '25
Civil Engineering
School of Computing & Engineering
Abigail Palmgren '25
Civil Engineering
School of Computing & Engineering
Lauren Roeger '25
Civil Engineering
School of Computing & Engineering
Town of Hamden Animal Shelter Structural Design
Introduction
Hamden currently lacks a dedicated animal shelter, leading to over-occupancy at the North Haven Animal Shelter. The design project addresses this need by designing the structural framework for Hamden’s first-ever shelter at 466 Putnam Ave. Our team has developed a detailed floor plan that prioritizes adhering to safety and accessibility standards. The structural design includes a well-planned column layout, load-bearing elements, and material selections to ensure stability, longevity, and cost-effectiveness.
Requirements
The design complies with Connecticut Building Codes, Animal Control Regulations, ADA standards, DLI Inc. Programming Needs Assessment, AISC Steel Design Manual, ASCE 7-22, and AISC 360 for structural integrity, column layout, and load-bearing components. Sustainability is prioritized for a longlasting facility for animals and staff. Specifically, the shelter requires 6,500 ft², 20 dogs, 6-10 cats, and room for exotics. The site layout was configured with the fire station, and with typical set-back distances, parking, and accessibility.
Design
The architectural design was modeled with AutoCAD. Multiple iterations were analyzed, and columns were placed within walls, adhering to a grid scheme whenever possible. The structural design was performed with advanced modeling software for accuracy and efficiency. RISA 3D was used to model the columns, beams, and girders, along with applying the relevant load cases. Unity checks and suggested design were used for shape selection. Revit was used to create a detailed 3D model for better visualization and coordination of structural elements.
Figure 1: Section Sets
| Label | Shape |
| Exterior Column | W5x19 |
| Interior Column | HSS 4x4x4 |
| Girder | W12x53 |
| Floor Beam | W8x24 |
Plans and Models
Figure 3: Revit Model
Figure 4: RISA 3D Model with Governing Load Case
Figure 5: Site Design
Impacts
Hamden’s new animal shelter will alleviate overcrowding at the North Haven Animal Shelter by providing more space for animals and improving overall care. This project addresses current needs and provides a sustainable solution for the community and its animals. The structural design will allow the town to pitch the concept to the state for funding purposes. The team focused on visual representation of the design so that outside audiences can gather what the shelter will be composed of.
Professional Application
"Personally, I am going into a structural design position, so this project helped me to understand the aspects that must be included for a project of this magnitude. There are many steps and iterations of a project before it can reach the final stages, and that is something we are still learning as students. I am excited to learn more about the design process, and this project brought to light how much more we have to learn!" - Natalie Lyon '25
For Further Discussion
This serves as an overview of the project and does not include the complete work. To further discuss this project, please email Priscilla Fonseca.
Course Overview
CER 497: Design of Civil Engineering Systems I is part of the culminating senior design sequence for students in the civil engineering program. This course focuses on the implementation of a civil engineering project. In the context of the senior design project, students will investigate the project, develop functional requirements, and investigate pertinent codes, design standards, and regulations. Students will also investigate the potential impacts of the project in varying contexts including global, societal, economic and environmental. This impact assessment will also assess the stakeholders involved in the project and consider varying perspectives in the execution of this project. In addition to the technical design work, students will draw heavily on their general education coursework, classes in their major, and cocurricular experiences as they tackle the complex questions, challenges, and problems associated with civil engineering projects.
CER 498: Design of Civil Engineering Systems II provides an opportunity for students to apply and synthesize their knowledge of civil engineering. Multidisciplinary teamwork is emphasized. Coursework from the various subdisciplines of civil engineering provides the foundation for this course. Students develop requirements, generate alternatives, make practical engineering approximations, analyze feasibility and make decisions leading to a completed design. The design includes principles of sustainability taking into account realistic constraints. These may include economic, environmental, legal and cultural issues. Deliverables include a comprehensive design report including drawings and a client briefing. This course provides an integrative experience that supports the overarching academic program goal.
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