When the Oakland
Police Department required a new facility in East Oakland, a vacant
retail store with plenty of parking space below presented a good
opportunity. However, the structural challenge was to convert a 1960's
retail structure into a police facility that would meet the essential
provisions of the current code. The retail level formerly was braced by
rod bracing and a long-span wood-framed roof structure. To meet current
code provisions, the spans of the diaphragm needed to be reduced, which
was accomplished with the installation of new interior braced frames.
Additionally, existing rod braces were replaced with heavy tube steel
braces. The floor structure, consisting of post-tension concrete, also
required extensive renovation to accommodate new stair and elevator
openings and a new atrium. Between this floor and ground level, the
former structure was braced only by the supporting columns; in the
renovated structure, many new sheer walls have been added to stiffen and
strengthen the building. The former parking lot at the lower level has
been converted for vehicle storage and maintenance.
When the Oakland
Police Department required a new facility in East Oakland, a vacant
retail store with plenty of parking space below presented a good
opportunity. However, the structural challenge was to convert a 1960's
retail structure into a police facility that would meet the essential
provisions of the current code. The retail level formerly was braced by
rod bracing and a long-span wood-framed roof structure. To meet current
code provisions, the spans of the diaphragm needed to be reduced, which
was accomplished with the installation of new interior braced frames.
Additionally, existing rod braces were replaced with heavy tube steel
braces. The floor structure, consisting of post-tension concrete, also
required extensive renovation to accommodate new stair and elevator
openings and a new atrium. Between this floor and ground level, the
former structure was braced only by the supporting columns; in the
renovated structure, many new sheer walls have been added to stiffen and
strengthen the building. The former parking lot at the lower level has
been converted for vehicle storage and maintenance. 