This article was originally published in Steel Australia in September 2003.
The new $280 million Suncorp Stadium Redevelopment, formerly known as Lang Park, has transformed the comfort of spectators for Rugby League, RugbyUnion and Soccer.
The project encompasses a composite steel and concrete grandstand structure on the southern, eastern, and northern sides of the field to create a seamless new stadium. A spectacular 23,000 square metre steel framed roof covers the grandstands and spans up to 180 metres between supports covering some 40,000 seats.
The roof structure provides weather protection for approximately 75% of the seats, and also houses all of the sports lighting, which allowed the original lighting towers to be removed.
The structural design of the roof and grandstand structures utilised a number of innovative features that reduced the weight and cost of the steelwork, and facilitated rapid and safe erection of the roof.
The grandstand buildings consist of a three tiered bowl made up of structural steel frames at 7.6 metre centres that support precast, prestressed voided planks that act integrally with steel beams and precast, prestressed seating plats. The mid and upper tiers of the grandstands cantilever up to eight metres beyond the column and raking strut supports, with the cantilevers formed from fabricated steel box beams.
The judges said that: “The dramatic form of the roof structure exemplifies the physical and sculptural possibilities of steel as a structural material.”
The roof is supported by tubular steel trusses approximately 10 metres in depth, intersecting at the corners where they are supported by pairs of inclined struts. The judges final word was that: “The Suncorp Stadium Redevelopment is a prominent and complex project that demonstrates a number of unique steel design, detailing, fabrication and construction facets.”
Innovative thinking was required to reduce costs and enhance safety during the construction. Arup and Partners, in conjunction with architects HOK Sport + Venue + Event and PDT Architects came up with an innovative roof design and method of erection.
The precise location and cross sectional geometry of the main roof trusses were selected to allow the trusses to be assembled on the lower tier of the grandstand and lifted vertically into their final position without impacting on the construction of the middle tier.
A simple yet effective purlin splice detail was developed to allow roof purlins to be installed as simple spans, then spliced using purpose designed lap members to provide continuity. This detail allowed rafters to be spaced at 15.2 metres using off-the-shelf cold rolled purlins working at maximum efficiency. The detail also allowed rapid erection of the roofing using preassembled panels.
The LRJV site team implemented what they called the new ‘up and under’ roof construction technique for the massive new grandstands. The purlins and soffit linings were assembled in panels on the ground (under), them each section was lifted by crane into position (up).
This innovative approach to assembling the massive roof improved the procurement and safety of construction.
David Ghannoum, Construction Manager for the Multiplex/Watpac joint venture, said: “It made sense to use the site cranage to lift these panels 40 metres up from ground level into position, rather than have roof fi xers up there. This method was safer and greatly reduced the erection time.”
David Ghannoum added: “We went from 0.42mm to 0.48mm BMT for the roof decking to optimise the roof construction. The thicker base sheet allowed us greater spans and reduced the number of fixings, saving time and cost. The thicker base also gave us a very strong roof deck. This is important for wind uplift and the safety of site workers during installation.”
The contract for the Suncorp Stadium Redevelopment was the largest building contract let to-date by the Queensland Government and required completion of the $280 million project in less than two years. Innovative structural engineering design was one of the key contributors to the successful delivery of the project within the client’s cost and time frames.
Project team
- Architect: HOK Sport+Venue+Event/PDT Architects
- Structural Engineers: Arup
- Building Contractor: Multiplex & Watpac
- Steel Fabricator: Beenleigh Steel Fabrication & Sun Engineering
- Steel Detailer: Online Drafting Services & Cadtech SA
- Main Coatings Supplier: International Protective Coatings
