Large Stadium Projects Using Precast Structural Systems

Abstract

The Consulting Engineers Group has provided designs for the concrete portions of over 70 major stadiums all across North America supporting the contention that precast prestressed concrete provides an excellent structural choice for this type of structure. (See figure 1) The work of CEG has focused on these portions of the stadium that are typically of concrete. This includes seating, raker beams and columns, concourses, vomitories, and ramps. The elaborate steel roofs have been engineered by others when a roof is employed. Several open air stadiums, we have designed entirely of precast concrete. These stadiums have provided homes to a variety of teams including: (1) NFL Football teams (2) NBA Basketball teams (3) College Football teams (4) Major league baseball teams (5) Hockey teams (6) Minor league baseball teams (7) Olympic Stadium In the past the typical stadium was constructed of cast-in-place concrete or steel however, recent experience shows that precast concrete provides an excellent alternative. Stadium design requirements are somewhat different than typical building designs and they require analysis of these issues: (1) Of key importance is the control of deflection and vibration. Excessive deflection and vibration can cause panic in the stands and subsequent injury or death.(2) In an outdoor stadium, the ability to withstand all kinds of weather extremes providing lasting durable performance. Precast concrete has provided many advantages to stadium construction and performance, among them: (1) Relatively stiff members eliminates vibration and deflection concerns (2) Fast erection — construction telescopes (3) Superior durable finish (4) Crack free robust performance The cross section of a typical all precast framed stadium would include precast pretensioned seat sections, precast pretension and post-tensioned raker beams, precast columns, precast beams, vomitory walls, precast ramps and precast concourse units (see figure 2). To resist lateral wind, seismic and live loads, moment frames and vomitory walls as shear walls are employed perpendicular to the seating. Parallel to the seating shear walls, or moment frames combined with diagonal beams are employed. These are areas that CEG has provided our design services. The various steel roofs and assemblies have all been provided by other structural engineers.