Date of Defense

4-15-2025

Date of Graduation

4-2025

Department

Civil and Construction Engineering

First Advisor

Yufeng Hu

Second Advisor

Xiaoyun Shao

Abstract

This project involves the development of a section of Western Michigan University’s main campus called The Hilltop Village. The design focuses on four primary civil engineering disciplines: transportation design, stormwater management, structural design, and construction scheduling and estimating. Together, these elements aim to enhance campus safety, accessibility, environmental quality, and overall site connectivity while maintaining a balance between cost and constructability.

The transportation design includes a 10-foot-wide shared-use sidewalk network for pedestrians and cyclists. This network is designed to improve site circulation and provide ADA-compliant routes that minimize vehicle-pedestrian conflicts throughout the area. By transforming sections of the former roadway into a pedestrian-friendly corridor, the project promotes active transportation and a safer, more inclusive campus environment. The transportation element also includes the layout of a new primary roadway, as well as the pavement design of both the roadway and sidewalk in compliance with the university’s design guidelines.

sidewalk in compliance with the university’s design guidelines.

Stormwater management improvements play a large role in the project’s environmental goals. A dry detention pond and an expanded underground stormwater pipe network were designed to manage runoff during storm events. The design also features a native plant garden to control runoff, enhance infiltration, and protect site ecology.

Another key feature of the site is the pedestrian bridge spanning the new Loop Road, designed to improve campus safety and connectivity. The structural support system for the bridge is a steel truss made of hollow structural sections (HSS) with a duplex coating system to improve durability and appearance of the metal. The truss was analyzed and designed using SAP2000.

A detailed schedule was created for the construction of the project, including off-site bridge fabrication beginning in March, and on-site construction beginning after the academic year concludes to prevent major disruptions to university operations. Project completion is scheduled for early fall, with a final estimated cost of $1.45 million. The cost estimate was developed using industry-standard unit pricing from RSMeans.

Comments

Co-authored with:

Leslie Gonzalez

Michelle Ng

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Restricted

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