HAWASSA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF CIVIL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DEAPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
Name: Kaleb Zewdu
IdNo: 2522/16
INSTRUCTOR: SORESA BELAY
Structural and Architectural Excursion
Report: Stadium Canopy Analysis
Introduction
The excursion group conducted a site visit to a modern
sports stadium to analyze its prominent structural and
architectural features. The primary focus of the
investigation was the cantilevered grandstand canopy,
evaluating its journey from underground support to the
expressive tensile roofing elements.
Technical Observations
1. The Foundation and Base Supports
The guide explained that the entire overhead canopy structure
relied on a series of reinforced concrete isolated pad
foundations. It was observed that these concrete bases were
anchored firmly into the ground to resist both the massive
downward dead load of the steel and the significant upward
wind uplift forces.
The engineers had utilized heavy-duty steel base plates secured
with high-strength anchor bolts to connect the steel
superstructure to the concrete foundations. This arrangement
ensured a rigid, moment-resisting connection capable of
transferring the structural forces safely into the earth.
2. Space Frames and Supporting Trusses
The structural engineer on-site pointed out that the primary
skeletal support for the shades consisted of curved tubular steel
space trusses. He demonstrated how these multi-planar trusses
utilized a triangular geometric configuration to provide
maximum structural rigidity while minimizing the overall
material weight.
The report noted that the curved main arches extended upward and cantilevered out over the
seating area.
These trusses were braced laterally by secondary purlins and cross-bracing members, creating a
robust three-dimensional space frame network capable of spanning long distances without
requiring intermediate vertical columns that would otherwise obstruct the spectators' view.
3. Tensile Structure of the Shades
It was further observed that the roof cladding itself utilized an advanced tensile membrane
structure. The guide remarked that the lightweight, high-strength fabric—typically a PVC-coated
polyester or PTFE-coated fiberglass material—was stretched tightly across the curved steel space
frames.
The tensioning mechanism relied on a system of boundary cables, tie-downs, and specialized
edge clamps to keep the fabric taut. The guide highlighted that this tensile design allowed the
membrane to span smoothly between the steel arches, creating a highly efficient, lightweight
barrier against the elements that distributed wind loads uniformly across the supporting steel
frame.
4. Shells of the Structure
The architectural analyst in the group described the individual bays of the canopy as a series of
repeating, thin-shell vaulted forms. It was noted that the double-curvature nature of the fabric
membranes functioned structurally like a flexible shell system.
By curving the fabric tightly in opposing directions, the structure achieved stability through form
rather than mass. This shell-like behavior ensured that the roof remained aerodynamic,
successfully shedding rainwater toward the rear gutters while resisting fluttering or deformation
during high-velocity wind events.
Architectural Expression and Engineering Philosophy
In conclusion, the group discussed how the
structural engineer had beautifully
expressed his design philosophy through
the stadium's architecture. The guide
emphasized that rather than hiding the
structural skeleton behind decorative
facades, the engineer had chosen to
celebrate the raw mechanics of the
building.
The visible interplay between the heavy, grounded concrete bases, the intricate geometric web of
the steel space frames, and the fluid, organic lines of the white tensile fabric created a striking
visual rhythm. The engineer had effectively expressed a harmonious balance between strength
and lightness, turning pure utilitarian load paths into an elegant, sculptured landmark.