On July 20, 1914, ground was broken in Oklahoma City, Okla., for a state capitol building. Some 80+ years later, the project was finally completed. Although the state’s legislature has been meeting in the capitol since 1918, World War I shortages halted construction of the dome and the building had been “finished” with a saucer dome in 1915. In 1990, a non-profit group was formed to raise funds to build the dome. Finally, in 2000, then Gov. Frank Keating announced plans to complete the capitol building’s dome and construction began.
The original 1914 structural design for the large dome incorporated a cast-in-place ribbed concrete superstructure with a compression ring at the crown and a tension ring at the base. When architects and engineers began planning the “new” dome, they wanted to remain as true as possible to the original drawings for the building, but incorporate modern needs and techniques into the work. It was determined that a steel superstructure, hidden from view by installed cladding, offered the best solution.
The new outer dome consists of precast concrete and cast stone, and the inner coffered dome is constructed of cast gypsum panels that feature a design symbolizing Oklahoma’s rich Native American history.
The steel superstructure was primed with Tnemec’s Series 394 PerimePrime. Chosen to provide the long-term performance desired, Series 394 is a specially formulated, one-component, moisture-cured, micaceous iron oxide and zinc-filled primer that offers superior bonding to marginally prepared steel. This high-performance primer is ideal for corrosion resistance with a triple barrier mechanism of zinc, mio and urethane resin built into the dry film and is suitable as a corrosion resistant primer under certain fireproofing systems.
Oklahomans celebrated their newly “domed” capitol on Nov. 16, 2002, with a dedication ceremony featuring music, fireworks, laser light show and Broadway musical performances.