Looking at the stadium cam today, I see a large platformy-thingy in front of the western stands (or where the western stands will be). Any idea what that is? And feel free to mock me for calling it a platformy-thingy, as long as you answer the question.

Based on the fact that it's there and it looks like the supports for the press box/stadium club are up, I'd have to assume that's going to be attached to those four supports after being carefully directed between those giant cranes and brought towards the west wall. I know absolutely nothing about construction/engineering, so I could be dead wrong. Fortunately, there are approximately three billion other BI members that will be able to provide both a more conclusive and well informed answer. Take it away, guys...

Appears to be the space truss that provides the support of the press box above. Looks like they've assembled sections of it together on the field and they'll likely lift into place soon.

http://www.tekla.com/us/Documents/BIM-awards-2011/steelproject10.html

Thanks, HB and Rummy. Can't wait for CMS to reopen!

86Oski;568898 said:

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Looking at the stadium cam today, I see a large platformy-thingy in front of the western stands (or where the western stands will be). Any idea what that is? And feel free to mock me for calling it a platformy-thingy, as long as you answer the question.

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Giant stage for lady gaga concert?

Actually, it's a thingy platform.

Just keeding.

Asked a couple of structural engineers in our office and Rummy & HB are probably right. It looks like the support truss for the press box. Too big to build in the air, so they assemble it on the ground & lift it into place with the tower cranes.

Should be interesting to see when it's put in place.

That thing is huge !

Is that a pressbox-truss in your stadium or are you just glad to see her .......

If the press box needs a truss, does that mean it already has a hernia?

Here's the construction update, linked on the web site. It mentions the truss.

http://www.cp.berkeley.edu/CP/Projects/CalMemorialStadium_SSC/ProjectInfo/Update.pdf

[COLOR="Blue"]Restoration of the historic stadium wall is scheduled to begin in October, following removal of the first set of exterior temporary braces. A test section, or mock-up, of the restoration methods and materials (including final paint color) is complete on the north side of the exterior, roughly across from the Haas School of Business.[/COLOR]

MisterNoodle;568914 said:

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Giant stage for lady gaga concert?

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Gawd, I hope so. Lady Gaga needs to entertain those hill folks!

UrsaMajor;568949 said:

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If the press box needs a truss, does that mean it already has a hernia?

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Yes. A Hayward fault hernia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truss

She'll never do anything quite like Radio Gaga:



Another impressive concert crowd video, ACDC - The Jack:



Enjoy

I believe you're talking about the press box. According to an engineer I spoke with when I was at the vista point a couple weekends back, they are going to build the press box in sections on the field level and then they're going to bring in another specialized crane and lift hoist the pieces into place. Can't wait to see THAT!

AirOski;568976 said:

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Gawd, I hope so. Lady Gaga needs to entertain those hill folks!

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Everyone could use a little more Gaga in their life, especially the hill dwellers.

Vandalus;569021 said:

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Everyone could use a little more Gaga in their life, especially the hill dwellers.

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She's got some big speakers, so to speak!!!!!:bravo

I want to see how they put this truss between those two cranes, since it is a bit longer in length. Hopefully, someone can do a time lapse on that fete.

I understand that the press box framing will be 100 yards in length and will be assembled on the ground inside the stadium walls. It will then be lifted in five separate sections by a really large crane that is yet to arrive at the stadium. It will be supported by the four massive concrete blocks that we can see rising slightly above the west side of the stadium wall.

It would be great to watch that lifting procedure!!

BGolden;568915 said:

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Actually, it's a thingy platform.

Just keeding.

Asked a couple of structural engineers in our office and Rummy & HB are probably right. It looks like the support truss for the press box. Too big to build in the air, so they assemble it on the ground & lift it into place with the tower cranes.

Should be interesting to see when it's put in place.

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You are correct for the most part.
They have another 20 days of welding, and the trusses will be placed in sections.
However, they will not be hoisted by the tower cranes, as those are coming down very quickly. A larger single crane will be on site soon.

schristeck;569005 said:

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I believe you're talking about the press box. According to an engineer I spoke with when I was at the vista point a couple weekends back, they are going to build the press box in sections on the field level and then they're going to bring in another specialized crane and lift hoist the pieces into place. Can't wait to see THAT!

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I would expect only the structural framing for the press box to be completed on the ground. Once the truss framing is complete it can be hoisted as a single unit into place. Finishing the press box will add a lot of weight to the framing without adding strength. Looks like about five sections of the truss work need to be completed; looking at Monday's stadium cam they have added that much in the last two days. Given the truss design, it will have to be lifted from near the ends, not the middle, I would expect two cranes for adequate control of what is at best an awkward lift.

86Oski;568898 said:

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Looking at the stadium cam today, I see a large platformy-thingy in front of the western stands (or where the western stands will be). Any idea what that is? And feel free to mock me for calling it a platformy-thingy, as long as you answer the question.

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Chief Engineer on the Stadium Project to the Chief Architect:
"WTF, what do you mean you thought that this was supposed to be a Basketball Arena?????"