Tilt-up Structures

Ocean Shores Convention Center

Location: Ocean Shores
Owner/developer: City of Ocean Shores
Project team: Rognlins Inc., general and concrete contractor; George Robertson Associates, architect; Coughlin Porter Lundeen, structural engineer; Bayview Redi-Mix, ready-mix supplier

Concrete was selected to build the new Ocean Shores Convention Center because of its ability to withstand the area’s sometimes extreme weather. The building site is classified as exposure D under the building code and can be subject to 100-mile-per-hour winds carrying salt spray and sand.

The architect worked with the ready-mix supplier to develop a concrete mix with high strength and low absorption to minimize the effects of the elements.

The tilt-up building has a wave-inspired roof curve that was executed in concrete wall panels, stainless steel and glass. Placing the project’s large panels was tricky because of winter winds coming off the Pacific Ocean, requiring crews to keep an eye on the weather during hoisting.

To keep the weather out of the building, a three-stage rain screen joint system was used between panels. That involved installing gaskets from the outside, then applying sealants to the gaskets on the inside and out.

A Tnemec paint system used on the exterior helps the building endure a continuous low-intensity sandblast from the Pacific surf.