To bolster seismic resilience and revitalise their existing supermarkets, Foodstuffs North Island Ltd commissioned seismic strengthening and renovation works that include PAK’nSAVE at Cameron Road in Tauranga.
With the refurbishment aiming to improve the shopping experience for customers, strengthening works ensure the building is exempt from being categorised as an ‘earthquake risk’ by achieving a minimum of 67% NBS (IL2) for seismic loading.
Located on a flat site near Tauranga’s CBD (between Cameron Road and Norris Street), the original 6,500 m2 building was constructed circa 1990 and has since had multiple alterations to its layout. It is predominantly a single storey warehouse, with two mezzanine floors to the east and west elevations.
Comprising a steel frame structure with a concrete floor slab and perimeter walls, NDY provided structural design from the concept stage through to building consent and construction. Our team delivered significant design enhancements, notably the introduction of new roof bracing, improvements to the mezzanine floors and the implementation of longitudinal wall bracing. New plant supports and bracing of existing secondary structural elements was also considered.
The roof seismic strengthening was as an engineering challenge. The existing framing comprises lightweight steel purlins and long multiple span portal frames. New cross bracing is seamlessly integrated to steel portal frame rafters, effectively horizontally transferring lateral loads through the structure into the braced walls and foundations. The improvements made to the structure also extend to restraining suspended ceilings in the office areas and entrance.
The shallow foundations are robust, boasting reinforced concrete pad footings beneath steel columns and strip footings under the precast concrete panels. The ground floor slab’s role as a diaphragm is pivotal, efficiently distributing seismic forces to subfloor foundation walls at the basement level.
The strengthening elements of this project have been designed to meet the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code. An extended design life of 50 years (1-in-500-year seismic event) has been used for this project. Seismic strengthening highlights include:
- Adaptive reuse of an aged existing structure
- Addressing the challenge of large span warehouse load paths, including partial mezzanine levels
- Incorporating bracing systems for secondary structural and non-structural elements, supporting operational continuity of the retail space in seismic events
- Careful consideration of seismic strengthening in the sub-ground basement area, ensuring comprehensive structural integrity.
The project delivers general refurbishment and seismic strengthening works that mean PAK’nSAVE, Cameron Road can continue serving local residents for many years to come.
Project Details
Services:
Structure & Civil
Market Sector:
Retail
Client: Foodstuffs North Island Limited
Architect: Wingates
Contractor: Marra Construction
Completion: 2024
Location:
Auckland
New Zealand
