Project Description:
In 2022, a $150M project was awarded to W & W Steel to build the National Medal of Honor Museum along the waterfront in Arlington, Texas. The Museum will utilize more than 100,000 square feet of space, including 31,000 square feet of exhibition galleries to preserve the legacies of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor. The chief architect for this project was Rafael Vinoly Architects, and the structural engineer was Schlaich Bergermann & Partner, LP.
R. J. Watson was selected by W & W Steel to manufacture 5 high load multirotational disc bearings to support an elevated platform in the center of the building.
Construction began in early 2022, and is scheduled to be completed in early 2025.
Design Challenges:
To provide a durable, watertight expansion joint system that will accommodate a high traffic volume, and high impact applications.
Bearing Technical Information:
The unidirectionally guided disc bearings were designed for a vertical load of 3,500 kips, a horizontal load of 245 kips (7% of the vertical load), the service rotational capacity is designed for 0.020 radians, and the bearings are designed for 4” of total movement.
