Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Thesis

Terms of Use

© 2026 Ben Aaron, Amelia Landry, and Zoe Sperduto. All rights reserved. This work is freely available courtesy of the author. It may only be used for non-commercial, educational, and research purposes. For all other uses, including reproduction and distribution, please contact the copyright holder.

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Engineering Department

First Advisor

Daniel Adeleke

Abstract

This project designs bleachers from reclaimed structural lumber for the new Fieldhouse at Swarthmore College. Wood is a sustainable and renewable building material, and diverting wood from the waste stream for high-value applications offers an opportunity to promote a circular economy. Wood reuse is not a common practice in the United States, and this project aims to serve as a case study of how it can be performed on small, local scales. First, deconstructed lumber is obtained from a local residential demolition site and processed. Then, destructive material testing is performed to determine the residual material properties, strength and stiffness, of the reclaimed wood. These properties are then used in conjunction with ICC 300, the design code for bleachers, and the Swarthmore Fieldhouse plans to design the bleachers. A structural analysis of the design is performed in SAP2000 to confirm deflection serviceability limits in ICC 300 are met. Lastly, a physical prototype of the bleachers is constructed from the reclaimed wood, and deflection tests are performed to evaluate a serviceability limit state and assess the accuracy of the structural analysis model. Deflections on the model are greater than those on the prototype, though both fall well within the serviceability limits of ICC 300. This project demonstrates the potential for Swarthmore to increase sustainability in construction and more broadly shows how reused wood can be utilized in place of new material.

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