Telling Florida's Water Story

Landis, David W.; Hanuschak, Blair K.; ,

Telling Florida's Water Story

by David W. Landis, (M.ASCE), Senior Associate; Walter P. Moore and Associates, Inc., 180 Interstate North Parkway, Suite 110, Atlanta, GA 30339,
Blair K. Hanuschak, (A.M.ASCE), Associate; Walter P. Moore and Associates, Inc., 180 Interstate North Parkway, Suite 110, Atlanta, GA 30339,

Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1996, Vol. 66, Issue 2, Pg. 40-43

Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

The latest addition to the nation's family of aquariums is Tampa's recently completed Florida Aquarium. The $84 million 152,000 square foot cast-in-place concrete structure is a state of the art, awe-inspiring facility that is one of the country's largest and most distinctive aquatic facilities. A signature shell shaped roof offers protection to a large tropical space that showcases the Florida Wetlands, one of the aquarium's feature attractions. Striking architecture and structural engineering ingenuity came together to create what is fast becoming a Florida landmark. The 140 foot clear span roof is composed of curving, radial tubular trusses which allow a light and airy feel inside the dome structure. High performance concrete exhibit tanks containing over a million gallons of freshwater and saltwater, are the primary focus of the exhibits. High strength durable concrete, special concrete construction procedures, and the use of acrylic windows created exhibit tanks which provide splendid views of the marine life inside.

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