Oak Ridge, TN

International Friendship Bell

Scope/Solutions

To celebrate the friendship between Japan and the United States, two Oak Ridge citizens mobilized to create a bell honoring peace after World War II. The 8,000 lb bronze bell was designed by an Oak Ridge artist and cast by a Japanese foundry. Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks undertook an effort to construct a Peace Pavilion and plaza at the Manhattan Project National Historical Park to showcase the bell. SGH was the structural engineer for the project.

SGH designed the structure for the new bell pavilion structure and other site features. Highlights of our design include:

  • A cantilevering, concrete-encased, steel-framed armature to support the bell and the carbon fiber canopy roof structure
  • The steel plate assembly and anchorage to support the bell from the armature beam
  • A cast-in-place concrete mat foundation supporting the pavilion structure
  • The steel-framed arbour structure with cast-in-place concrete piers
  • Site bollards and curved benches constructed with reinforced, cast stone

SGH also provided construction administration services, including reviewing contractor submittals and visiting the site to observe ongoing work during construction.

Project Summary

Icon: completion-date

2018

Completion Date
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Structures
Markets
Culture & Entertainment
Client(s)
Demian Wilbur Architects

Additional Projects

South

Menil Drawing Institute

In three distinct volumes the museum houses areas for study, exhibition, and conservation surrounding an open-air courtyard. SGH consulted on the building enclosure for this one-story museum and an adjacent stand-alone mechanical building. 
Explore
South

DesCours Festival, Hover

Howeler + Yoon Architecture’s installation for the 2007 festival was Hover, a canopy constructed of connected nylon cells illuminated by LED lights and powered by photovoltaic cells. SGH provided structural engineering services for the project.
Explore
See All Projects