Skechers USA, Inc.

2011 Design Award Winner
Project Team

Structural Engineer: McGinnis & Associates
Owner: Skechers USA, Inc.
General Contractor: Wynright Corporation
Steel Joist Manufacturer: Valley Joist, Inc.
Steel Detailer: Wynright Structural Solutions
Steel Fabricator: Wynright Structural Solutions
Steel Erector: Duke Pacific, Inc.

Project Type: Industrial

Project Description

This project is the design, construction and installation of 135,000 sq ft. of industrial and vast, steel fabricated mezzanines, as part of a complex material handling system for Skechers USA, in Moreno Valley, CA. Being located in a high seismic risk area, the structure needed to meet the stringent requirements of Seismic Design Category E. Through the use of a moment frame system utilizing joists and joist girders, the structural performance at these levels was assured.

What Makes This Project Interesting

The final design approach of utilizing steel joists and joist girders in a novel and unique way helped the large steel mezzanine structures to both meet stringent seismic codes and overall performance requirements. This is a unique interpretation of seismic structural design codes, which illustrates both engineering creativity and the usage of joist girders in an off-roof application. Joists are typically designed as simple span members and only contribute to a structure’s SLRS (seismic load resisting system) as a part of a roof or floor diaphragm. But in this project the joist girders and tie joists were designed as critical, primary members within the SLRS, effectively treating each mezzanine column as its own mini-SLRS. This strategy allowed the seismic forces to be widely distributed throughout the mezzanine, creating a far more flexible and redundant structural system as a whole. This design decision also resulted in smaller foundation loads and simpler footing design.

Advantages Of The Chosen Structural System

As a component of a complex material handling system, the steel mezzanine had to be designed and erected under very tight budget and time constraints. Various framing solutions revealed joists and joist girders to best meet rigorous performance, cost and scheduling requirements. The joist-based design provided for a better performing solution to the seismic challenge. Conduit and piping was placed inside of the joist profile which minimized the overall thickness of the mezzanine structure, an important consideration when vertical space is at a premium. Additionally, because the joists themselves were lightweight, savings were realized in both material and freight costs. Finally, the use of joists in lieu of rolled shapes allowed the steel fabrication shop to concentrate on columns, stairs and other critical components with the net effect of minimizing overall production lead time. The project was delivered on-time.

Project Scope

The scope of this project is 135,000 sq ft. of mezzanines supporting the material handling system for Skechers USA’s greenfield, 1.8MM sq ft. warehouse, in Moreno Valley, CA. The steel mezzanines’ unique design characteristics, incorporating steel joists and joist girders was in response to the seismic challenges of the geographic region.

Project Details

Project Construction Cost: $3.2 Million
Joist cost, including fabrication and erection: $880,000
Size (square ft.): 135,000
Floor area using joists (square ft.): 135,000
Joist area (square ft.): 135,000
Joist engineering to delivery (# days): 30
Joist erection (# days): 26

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