Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB): Dorm Complex

THE PROJECT: The new dormitory project for Tyndall Air Force Base includes the design of two, five-story permanent party dormitories with 240 single-occupancy rooms in each. The permanent party enlisted dorms will house 480 E-1 to E-4 military personnel, trainees, and airmen who are new to the base. The scope also includes community activity areas, kitchens, laundry facilities, theater, and meeting rooms, office space and a rooftop terrace.

As a result of the extensive damage sustained due to Hurricane Michael in 2018, the Department of the Air Force issued a memorandum dictating that the facilities at Tyndall AFB be designed to withstand hurricane-force winds of 165 mph. This design criteria windspeed of 165 mph exceeds the building code requirements for the base’s geographic location with the intent of making all facilities at the base more resilient to future severe weather events.

The dormitories must also adhere to the Department of Defense’s (DoD) antiterrorism/force protection (AT/FP) standards. These standards require that facilities be designed to resist progressive collapse in accordance with Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 4-023-03. Alternate Path and Enhanced Local Resistance requirements apply for the progressive collapse design of the dormitories. When using alternate path design, the structure must remain standing after the deletion of any one accessible column.

OUR SOLUTION: RAM Structural System was used to assist in the design of the dormitory structure utilizing linear static procedures. As a result of evaluating each necessary column for force-controlled and deformation-controlled actions in accordance with UFC 4-023-03, there are more than 70 alternative analysis models.

To establish the lateral force resisting systems (LFRS) for the structure to resist lateral wind and seismic loads as well as to satisfy progressive collapse alternate path requirements, the beams are moment-connected to the columns with bolted flange-plate connections.

The Jezerinac Group team collaborated with the contractor, Hensel Phelps, and architect, Page Southerland Page, Inc., on this design-build project to ensure engineering services were delivered successfully and on time.

“This project is essential for the Tyndall rebuild since only three dorms survived Hurricane Michael – a loss of 509 Airmen beds,” said Milea Franklin-Webb, NDR project manager. “Construction of the new dorms will ensure our Airmen have comfortable and up-to-date living areas for their critical rest and relaxation.”

Completion of the project is anticipated in September 2024, with an occupancy goal by summer 2025.