Devon Energy Center

[Lauri101]

I suspect they know exactly what they are doing and what is safe and what isn't. Generally, those who don't--do not get awarded $800-million dollar projects. Just a guess...

Other tall buildings aside - the workers were using the metal boom-thingy (sorry - I'm an accountant, not a construction expert) to pour concrete while lightning was flashing everywhere and water coming down in sheets.

And multi-million dollar contracts do not make jobs accident free - I think we've all seen that in past two months at a location just south of New Orleans.

[Camaro Z28]

Lightening does NOT always strike the highest or most conductive object. Lightening is very capricious and unpredictable.

Many times once you start a concrete pour you have to complete it or bust it out and start again. I am not sure if that is the case here but the general contractor is very experienced.

[jn1780]

Lightning would most likely hit one of the four lightning rods(Tower cranes) before it struck one of the construction workers below.

[jbrown84]

Some pics from Saturday morning:

I don't know what's going on with the bays on the ground level here. The fact that they left them open made me think they were doing ground-level retail there, but then they closed them up with cinder blocks. Now (you can see it barely in the pic above) they are adding a frame on each bay. It looks like they will add glass over those frames. The best example I can think of is like the glass display cases on the exterior of some big department stores or shopping centers. I can't figure it out.

[HOT ROD]

maybe there will be retail there after all.

[jmarkross]

Great pictures jbrown84...how do you guys get up there in the Colcord to take these photos? These are a nice view of the hard-to-see east side of the Tower...looks like you were hanging out a window up there!

[metro]

Great pictures jbrown84...how do you guys get up there in the Colcord to take these photos? These are a nice view of the hard-to-see east side of the Tower...looks like you were hanging out a window up there!

he works there......

[Troypin]

Can anybody get some pictures over were the podium will be?

[CuatrodeMayo]

Some pics from Saturday morning:

It's great to see the Colcord's cornice up close like that. Excellent shot!

[OKCisOK4me]

I believe we've discussed the question of whether or not all the elevator cores are going to the top floor and I just have to say I hope not. Those things take forever to create!

[jn1780]

I believe we've discussed the question of whether or not all the elevator cores are going to the top floor and I just have to say I hope not. Those things take forever to create!

Speaking of cores it looks like the south core form is ready for another jump.

[jn1780]

It looks like the columns are still round on the the northwest side of the tower where it connects to the rotunda.

[OKC@heart]

They are now flying more 4th floor prebuilt floor forms! Exciting to see the project beginning to accelerate! The Elevator cores seem to be the bottle neck of the project...takes so long for the crews to tie the large sections of steel reinforcing and hoist them in place and secure them.

[jmarkross]

They are now flying more 4th floor prebuilt floor forms! Exciting to see the project begining to accelerate! The Elevator cores seem to be the bottle neck of the project...takes so long for the crews to tie the large sections of steel reinforcing and hoist them in place and secure them.

A question for those who know construction--are not the "elevator cores" the central strength of the entire Tower...something has to be the center of it all for it to be structurally sound...? It has always seemed to me that they were much larger than necessary for the singular purpose of elevators...I think they are the spine of the structure.

[Troypin]

How can you tell?

[clz46]

I have a question about the OKC Skyline cam. The clarity on my computer using full screen is pretty fuzzy. You can tell it's the site and when the tower cranes are moving with something etc. but the picture is just not clear enough to make out specifics. Is this just my problem?

[OKCisOK4me]

I have a question about the OKC Skyline cam. The clarity on my computer using full screen is pretty fuzzy. You can tell it's the site and when the tower cranes are moving with something etc. but the picture is just not clear enough to make out specifics. Is this just my problem?

No. It's the camera's resolution. Your computer is fine.

[jmarkross]

I have a question about the OKC Skyline cam. The clarity on my computer using full screen is pretty fuzzy. You can tell it's the site and when the tower cranes are moving with something etc. but the picture is just not clear enough to make out specifics. Is this just my problem?

I find the sunlight makes it difficult to see what the cranes are lifting...washes out the picture.

[OKC@heart]

A question for those who know construction--are not the "elevator cores" the central strength of the entire Tower...something has to be the center of it all for it to be structurally sound...? It has always seemed to me that they were much larger than necessary for the singular purpose of elevators...I think they are the spine of the structure.

Every design is unique in how the loads are carried by the structure. It is common that the elevator core provides structural rigididty because of thier continuous nature, it makes them ideal to act as shear walls. With this particular design and its symmetrical nature, I would hazard to guess that the cores may be continous all the way up the building based on one of the upper floor plans that I saw posted on here a good while back still indicating them.

It is not likely or cost effective for all the elevators to service each floor rather as was also suggested previously a bank will service floors 1-17, another 18-34, and a final one for the remaining upper floors. Makes for a more efficient use of each bank and faster distribution of occupants to their desired locations.

The shear walls of the cores would likely continue on up the building and may actually have floors in the ones not being used which could be used as mechanical / electrical rooms utilizing the footprint area and preserving useable space for a higher and better use.

[architect5311]

A question for those who know construction--are not the "elevator cores" the central strength of the entire Tower...something has to be the center of it all for it to be structurally sound...? It has always seemed to me that they were much larger than necessary for the singular purpose of elevators...I think they are the spine of the structure.

Yes, as you can see in the above plans, the outer shear walls of the "elevator cores" continue up through to the top floor.

Typically you will have a bank of low, mid and highrise elevators. In Devon's case it appears there are low, mid and highrise in each of the three banks of elevators. There is also a "magic" formula for calculating the number of elevators base on building occupant load (number of people), wait times, distance of travel, etc..........

[jmarkross]

Thanks architect5311. One of the best aspects of this forum is the ability to have pros who understand it all help us to deal with the esoteric angles of this massive project. It is fortunate for all of us.

[jbrown84]

It's great to see the Colcord's cornice up close like that. Excellent shot!

Thanks Cuatro!

[clz46]

Thanks OKCisOK4me. I actually was hoping it was something I could do to improve the picture even though it appeared the resolution setting on my computer was as good as it gets. I'm glad the OKCTalk's camera is so clear.

[jmarkross]

Every design is unique in how the loads are carried by the structure. It is common that the elevator core provides structural rigididty because of thier continuous nature, it makes them ideal to act as shear walls. With this particular design and its symmetrical nature, I would hazard to guess that the cores may be continous all the way up the building based on one of the upper floor plans that I saw posted on here a good while back still indicating them.

It is not likely or cost effective for all the elevators to service each floor rather as was also suggested previously a bank will service floors 1-17, another 18-34, and a final one for the remaining upper floors. Makes for a more efficient use of each bank and faster distribution of occupants to their desired locations.

The shear walls of the cores would likely continue on up the building and may actually have floors in the ones not being used which could be used as mechanical / electrical rooms utilizing the footprint area and preserving useable space for a higher and better use.

Thanks to you as well, OKC@heart...your articulate explanations help us all a great deal.

[OKC@heart]

Anytime! That is what I love about this forum you can get people from all walks who have varying skills and experiences that can weigh in and It gives some insight to what ever subject is being discussed.