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INSTRUCTOR: 
Tom Lorentz, P.E., M.ASCE
Nerea Castro
Lourdes Cabezuelo

This techsession will only award PDHs for completion.

Purpose and Background

The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is being constructed in the Atacama Desert in Chile and will be the largest Gregorian telescope in history, up to 200 times more powerful than existing ground-based telescopes. The design of the GMT enclosure is a highly challenging engineering project. The telescope enclosure is a rotating megastructure with a 60 m height and 60 m diameter and a moveable door of 26 m by 45 m. It must protect the telescope’s giant mirrors from earthquakes and extreme weather.

The session will explain how IDOM has incorporated technologies, including prototyping, and controlled construction practices, to solve the major challenges associated with designing a moving megastructure in a location with a high seismic demand as well as extreme weather conditions. The remote location of the GMT requires significant effort and innovative approach to a combined design and manufacturing solutions prioritizing off-site and modular construction to make a safe, reliable, and practical structure.

Representing IDOM’s multi-disciplinary team, the deputy project manager - Nerea Castro, Megastructure Mechanisms Lead - Lourdes Cabezuelo, and project principal - Thomas E. Lorentz P.E. (M. ASCE) will discuss relevant design aspects of the enclosure steel structure, the main mechanisms (enclosure rotation system, shutter and windscreen mechanisms) and the seismic isolation system in a 90-minute session.

The uniqueness of the project and the innovative design solutions adopted shall be presented in a manner to enhance engagement with the audience and create an interactive atmosphere for technical discussion

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the design implications associated with constructing moving megastructures in a highly seismic environment.
• Demonstrate use of prototyping to validate specific complex components of an innovative seismic design.
• Describe the Constructability considerations applied to the design process when facing a difficult access and extremely remote construction site.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are assessed by responding to the post-session survey. If the course is taken On-demand, there will also be a 10-question multiple choice post-test.

Who Should Attend?

• Structural Engineers
• Civil Engineers
• Students

How to Earn your PDHs

This course is worth 1.5 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to watch the recording(s) and complete the post-session survey. If the course is taken On-demand, there will also be a 10-question multiple choice post-test.