FIFA World Cup Stadium Durban - All set to raise the roof
Sophisticated geometry and massive hydraulic forces equivalent to the weight of more than 4 000 adult elephants are being used to lift the unique roofing structure on Durban, South Africa's Moses Mabhida Stadium into place. The deadline for erecting the roof is August, with the stadium construction expected to be completed by October and ready for handover to Fifa in January.
Marcus Balz, the project leader on the roof structure at the R3,1-billion stadium, said yesterday that the jacks used to tension the 52 steel cables were as heavy as a car and could each exert pressure equivalent to 80 adult elephants.
"The high forces we are using to lift the roofing cables are a big challenge. The accuracy and geometry is complex; the compression elements are manufactured longer and the tension elements shorter. For example, the cables are up to 400mm too short, the compression ring is 600mm longer and 200mm bigger, the arch 400mm too long and 200mm too high - this was done purposely. When the roof is complete it will be tensioned perfectly."
Balz, of the Germany-based design company Schlaich Bergemann & Partners, said the design was complex and unusual. "There isn't another one like it in the world. The dimensions and the weight make it unique. We are using very high strength materials and, while you may think we are using a lot of steel, we are actually using less than the amount used on other stadiums with conventional roof designs.
"Durban also has one of the most corrosive climates in the world, so we have had to pay particular attention to corrosion protection. This has been something we have never seen before in Europe." Balz said the structure had not only undergone corrosion tests for various weather conditions, but the structure had also been tested in high wind conditions.
The head of strategic projects in the eThekwini Municipality, Julie-May Ellingson, said the cables were expected to be in place by the beginning of May, when the work to install the catwalk and cable car would start. The stadium seats, in orange, yellow, green and white, are also ready for installation. "The steel frames for the seats were made here and the plastic 'tilt up' seats were made in Germany. We will start to install these at the end of June," said Ellingson.
She said that grass for the pitch was being grown in Ballito and turf for around the field was being grown in Johannesburg. "This should all be laid and finished by the end of July," she said.
Balz, of the Germany-based design company Schlaich Bergemann & Partners, said the design was complex and unusual. "There isn't another one like it in the world. The dimensions and the weight make it unique. We are using very high strength materials and, while you may think we are using a lot of steel, we are actually using less than the amount used on other stadiums with conventional roof designs.
"Durban also has one of the most corrosive climates in the world, so we have had to pay particular attention to corrosion protection. This has been something we have never seen before in Europe." Balz said the structure had not only undergone corrosion tests for various weather conditions, but the structure had also been tested in high wind conditions.
The head of strategic projects in the eThekwini Municipality, Julie-May Ellingson, said the cables were expected to be in place by the beginning of May, when the work to install the catwalk and cable car would start. The stadium seats, in orange, yellow, green and white, are also ready for installation. "The steel frames for the seats were made here and the plastic 'tilt up' seats were made in Germany. We will start to install these at the end of June," said Ellingson.
She said that grass for the pitch was being grown in Ballito and turf for around the field was being grown in Johannesburg. "This should all be laid and finished by the end of July," she said.
Many Lion’s fans are expected in South Africa to support their team. ”Coupled with the IPL Cricket which ends on 23 May, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June and the ICC 8-Nations Champions’ Trophy in September, South Africa is certainly expecting thousands of fans for the upcoming top level sporting events,” notes Robert Wilson. CEO of travelinsouthafrica.net . “Fans would be well advised to sort out their travel and accommodation soon,” he said.
This article was originally published on page 1 of The Mercury on April 15, 2009
