Utkonos Distribution Centre

Structure lies beyond the linear plane

Utkonos retail network (OOO Novii Impuls) is one of the first Internet-based mass retail networks in Russia. In order to enter the Moscow market, the company required its own distribution centre which would provide goods for first 150-200 Moscow network shops. A five-hectare plot of land in the South Butovo district, Moscow, was allocated for this purpose.

It was planned to place a logistics and warehouse complex (square 43,082.80 m²) on the site, as well as an administration building for the purposes of a large company with more than 2,000 employees. In order to speed up and simplify the construction process, it was decided to approach Ruukki and use its structural steel.

According to the design, the building consisted of segments of different heights and functions, and also many other curved architectural elements of irregular shape. "When the structure lies beyond the linear plane, its production becomes a matter of high art, achievable by a few companies only. Without the necessary equipment and corresponding professionals it is impossible to achieve a good result," says Ekaterina Volkova, Ruukki's design engineer in charge of the complex design.

It was also necessary to take into account the fact that the major square (centre) of the eight-storey structure was occupied by a warehouse, which had no ceilings, and also there were several tiers of mezzanine along the perimeter. According to the plan, there were the main distribution structures of the complex - from refrigerators to vegetable storage facilities.

Memorable architecture

In the present case, Ruukki used a structural steel building supporting frame made of welded I beams of length-variable sections. Bolted joints have been used to connect elements of the frames. Moreover, all elements have been supplied in operational compatibility state. The enclosing structures are made of sandwich panels in retail network corporate colours, which provide a high level of heat insulation as well as an attractive and memorable exterior for the building. The client's requirements for the warehouse complex facility have also been considered, i.e. lifting mechanisms and conveyor attachment points have been calculated.

High rate is owing to progressive technologies

The possibility of constructing almost in parallel with design was a clear benefit for Hovii Impuls Company (Utkonos retail network) in its partnership with Ruukki. On the basis of ready-made building architecture, such as ceiling marks, or plans, loading points and their values (i.e. placement of equipment, which determines loads on a frame), the factory project office issues steel structure detail drawings for production as well as assembly diagrams for construction.

As a result, the installation phase can begin right after structure production without waiting for any other approvals. Consequently, only six months have passed from the beginning of delivering supplies to the end of construction.

"According to our estimates, the future of buildings used for logistics is certainly steel structure buildings. The high speed of the Utkonos complex construction was due to the use of modern technologies and materials," says Yuri Sobolev, Managing Director, OOO Novii Impuls.

Additionally, the factors of speed and the quality of the construction process were supported by the full operational compatibility of all structures and the use of bolted joints. This made it possible to reduce man-hours and assembly terms effectively and essentially. The use of welded I beams of variable sections made it possible to reduce metal quantity and lighten the structure without losses in durability and quality.

Close cooperation with the Ruukki project office was also helpful for the client. As a result of such cooperation, it was possible to resolve all operational issues promptly. Moreover, the extensive experience of the design engineers made it possible to implement challenging architectural ideas in metal and construct an unusual and aesthetically attractive building.