College of Alameda Transportation Technology Center

Alameda, CA

Real-world experience is the best teacher, so the College of Alameda brought the real world to campus. Complete with lift racks, an alignment bay, dedicated paint booth and more, the new Transportation Technology Center provides everything needed to run a full-service automotive shop. The 40,000 SF center even has an extra-large bay capable of housing buses and diesel semi-trucks to support the college’s Diesel Mechanics program.

The building required a robust foundation system in order to provide support within the Bay Mud subgrade common to Alameda. A driven-pile system comprising more than 200 60-ft-long piles was utilized in conjunction with large grade beams and a 12-inch-thick structural slab to guard against settlement due to liquefaction and subsidence. CMU walls were used in the shop areas because of their capability to withstand the wear and tear common in shop conditions. By combining lifelike conditions with a resilient foundation, the new center ensures students are prepared for the real world for years to come.