Multi-beam antenna with lower bracket of final fabricated mount prior to installation.
Prototype test mount and 3D modeling of antennas to be installed at the catwalk level allowed Dewberry to test the clearance and adjustment prior to finalizing the design.
due to the location of antennas near the center of the arena. In order to test the effectiveness of the brackets, Dewberry developed them from the concept stage using 3D modeling software, and then worked with a steel fabricator to create prototype brackets, which were fabricated and installed on test beams. Due to the location of the equipment di- rectly above the playing surfaces and general public areas, the brackets featured safety measures, such as aircraft cabling safety ties, multiple attachment points for redundancy, and cotter-pin incorporation for all bolted connections, so no mechanical connections would come lose due to vibration. Flexibility, Creativity, and Coordination Working in such a large-capacity venue comes with its own set of challenges, some that Dewberry has also faced when integrating these systems at football stadiums, college campuses, airports, and multiuse complexes. The more people a venue holds, the more stakeholders in- volved behind the scenes. Balancing the timeline of so many teams can be tricky—everyone needs to perform their work effectively and each group is vying for the valuable and often limited time available for the projects. Frequently, facility upgrades of any kind can only occur during off-hours. With a venue like TD Garden that is constantly host- ing high-profile events, those off-hours can be few and far between. Learning to be flexible, nimble, and work among other stakeholders is paramount. For instance, Dewberry had the opportunity to work directly with the venue’s structural engineer on the analysis of the existing catwalk support structure for the proposed equipment as well as in the design and installation of new steel support beams. Dewberry then had to provide coordination between the venue structural engi- neers, steel fabricators/installers, and AT&T to make sure everyone’s priorities were addressed. By doing so, the firm was able to meet the needs of AT&T, while making sure the venue’s engineering group was involved and approved of the installation, thus streamlining the instal- lation process and reducing the amount of scheduling and coordination required with the owner.
In the end, regardless of how fast technology may change and the num- ber of “G”s on your phone, the formula for successful project delivery remains unchanged. Upfront preparation, open stakeholder communi- cation, thoughtful and thorough design, and continuous client support will deliver a successful project for everyone involved. New steel supports, single and multi-beam antennas, remote enclosures and cable supports all had to be designed, fabricated, and installed with proper safety measures on the catwalk level of the arena. DAMIAN SCHMALZ is a senior project manager and professional engineer in Dewberry’s Boston, Massachusetts, office. He has more than 10 years of experience and has a multi-faceted background in civil and telecommunications engineering, specializing in DAS for major transportation systems, large sports/ convention venues, university campuses, and high-rise buildings. BEN REVETTE is an associate vice president and professional engineer in Dewberry’s Boston, Massachusetts, office. He has been with the firm for 20 years and leads Dewberry’s national telecommunications engineering team.
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csengineermag.com
FEBRUARY 2021
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