Edwards AFB Combined Test Force Compound

BWE provided Structural Engineering services for this project that renovated existing multi-story hangars, storage, security, and administrative buildings at Edwards AFB, as well as associated ramp and paved areas. The total building area was approximately 274,800 SF, housing about 700 personnel supporting the development of a new aircraft, the B-21 Raider. The buildings in the CTF Compound consisted of two primary construction types: exposed masonry and masonry with vertically ribbed metal siding. Interior construction was primarily masonry or metal stud framing.

The CTF renovation project had three major components: the aircraft paving replacement, the hangar assessment and retro-fit, and the support building repair, which included the installation of SCIF rooms and an HVAC update. The priority for the schedule was to assist in the assessment of re-use in the support buildings and perform the ASCE 41-13 analysis of the hangar buildings. There were four large hangars of similar construction with slightly different geometries and additions over the years.

Supporting facilities included constructing office areas, conference and break rooms, information technology (IT) server rooms, and restricting areas using framing, walls, utilities, access control features, and intrusion detection system conduit-only enhancements. The taxi/parking ramps were replaced to support increased aircraft loads. Additional facilities included all associated utilities, site work, communication support, pavements, parking area, environmental remediation, and demolition. This project complied with DoD antiterrorism/force protection requirements.