Office premises on Krasta St.

Business center that combines the best corporate experience of the Baltic states

Status:
Strandeck works completed in 2019
Location:
Krasta St. 99a, Riga
Type:
Commercial
Client:
DMT Insenerid OU
Architect:
BB Studija SIA
Total area:
70 000 m2
Scope of works:

Message of the project

It is impossible to think of a better place for business center that combines the best corporate experience of the Baltic states, becoming leading financial center of the region, than at the shore of the River Daugava with a breathtaking panorama to prominent TV Tower and the Old Town silhouette. With a purpose to embody the symbolic meaning of the project, the complex consists of three 14-storey buildings, each is named after the Baltic state capitals – Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.

Benefits of post-tensioning

Within the framework of the project we were responsible for the structural design of foundation and interfloor slabs applying post-tensioning system which accounted for providing 10 m long spans and 3 m long cantilevers without additional beams, that would hamper installation of engineering networks and interrupt wholeness of ceiling surface. Moreover post-tensioning allows to remove formwork right after tendons stressing, that is on the 5th-6th day after the slab concreting. In comparison, if there is only classical reinforcement used in slab, depending on outside temperature and humidity, formwork can be removed only at 20th-28th day after concreting. As a result, using post-tensioning, it is possible to fasten formwork rotation at the site.

Challenges

The toughest challenges were a logical result of the building’s geometrical configuration and its irregularity. Elevation from the above shows that the building has an elliptical shape, therefore finding a compromise between the geometric configuration of the building and the post-tensioning core principles was one the main tasks engineers team had to solve. Due to the specific shape, position of columns was asymmetrical and irregular, while the fundamental postulate says that tendons are placed above columns in a straight line, as every discourse leads to unnecessary frictional and prestresses losses. In order to solve it, smaller, 0.5-inch tendons were used – as they allow to apply material more effectively in circumstances of irregular axis placement. Since placement of vertical constructions above and below 3rd floor was different, engineers decided to create a transfer beam with a length of 19,5 m and its cross-section 1x1,75 m that would transfer loads form upper 11 floors to the lover ones. The biggest span of the beam was 8 m and maximal load – 1800 kN/m.

Through effective cooperation with our industry’s colleagues and close partnerships, we have already achieved a lot.

But if you wish to conquer new horizons and take on tremendous challenges in construction field, our deep knowledges and diligent attitude will make us a reliable partner and valuable contribution to your prospective project.