Penn State Biomechanics Lab Renovation

Gannett Fleming provided engineering design, which required a series of steps to safely install the treadmill and its components in a renovated lab space inside historic Rec Hall.

The work included modifying the lab’s existing slab and designing a recessed slab support system for the treadmill, which weighs approximately 2,000 pounds. New ceiling connections accommodate the metal rigging that supports virtual display and motion capture equipment. The team’s lab design focused on functional safety to protect users against injury when operating the treadmill.

To accommodate the treadmill, the team excavated a 10-inch-deep rectangular pit measuring 7 feet, 10 inches by 3 feet, 10 inches in the footprint of the existing slab. A new recessed slab support system enables vibration-free treadmill operation, required for proper equipment functionality and user safety. Because the treadmill equipment generates approximately 9 kilowatts (kW) of heat during use, a secondary cooling system was designed to maintain a comfortable temperature in the lab and prevent heat-related system malfunctions.

The team’s electrical engineering design ensured a stable power supply for the treadmill system, with surges or dips limited to no more than 10%, to meet the requirements of the manufacturer.

Architectural design and equipment layout maintain lab compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) design requirements while staying within budget.

• Recessed slab support system enables vibration-free treadmill operation.
• Secondary cooling system addresses 9-kW heat gain to maintain lab comfort and proper equipment functionality.
• Stable power supply provides electricity without significant surges or dips.
• Laboratory renovations maintain ADA compliance.

• Strengthens support for innovative study of adaptive human movement.
• Enhances university’s reputation as a center of kinesiology research.
• Improves outcomes for people recovering from injuries that affect mobility.