Jörg Schlaich (1934 – 4 September 2021) was a highly respected German engineer especially for his creative and elegant design of bridges, long-span roofs, and other innovative structures. In 1980 he was a co-founder of the consulting firm Schlaich Bergermann Partner based in Stuttgart.

Jörg Schlaich was one of a select group who studied both architecture and civil engineering at Stuttgart University and at Berlin from 1953 to 1959.

In 1963, he joined the firm Leonhardt & Andrä. He later became a partner where a highlight was being responsible for the Olympic Stadium in Munich. He stayed with the firm until 1969.

In 1974 he became an academic at Stuttgart University, before founding his own firm.

In terms of large span roof structures – of particular interest to LSAA members – he pioneered the concept of the “bicycle wheel” with an outer compression ring resisted the tension of radial cables coupled to an inner cable ring. This was used in 1993 with the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium (later known as the Mercedes Benz Arena in Stuttgart. Another example was the main stadium in Kuala Lumpur for the 1998 Commonweath Games. Many recent stadia have adapted this principle.

The LSAA community has benefitted from a close relationship with the company he co-founded and extends its condolences to his family and friends. His life and legacy will continue to shape our work and the future of structural engineering.

Jorg Schlaich 

Photo Amin Akhtar

Other references: Bridgeweb article LINK and an article written by his son Mike Schlaich HERE

TagsVale, Jorg Schlaich, germany, SBP, Bridges, roofs

The date for the presentation of the LSAA Design Awards "2022" has been set at February 24 2022.

This meeting is likely to be a virtual meeting owing to the ongoing Covid-19 situation.

The closing date for entries is 17 December 2021.

The documents for entry requirements are available for download - RULES and the ENTRY FORMS. 

Structures completed since the last Design Awards in October 2018 are eligible.

Entries from non-members as well as LSAA financial members are welcome.

LSAA Update on Fire Subcommittee Initiative (20 November 2020)

We wanted to provide you an update on an ongoing initiative of the LSAA, spearheaded by the Fire Subcommittee which was formed after the last LSAA Conference. 

  • Many of our members have experienced roadblocks to having coated tensile fabric accepted by Building Surveyors and Fire Engineers for particular projects.
  • Despite the fact that most tensile fabrics do not contribute a significant fuel load to a fire, they do not comply with the Deemed to Satisfy Provisions of the (Building Code of Australia Version 2019) (“BCA”) because they are deemed combustible when tested in accordance with AS 1530.1.
  • It is however possible to use coated tensile fabrics in Type A and B construction through the alternative compliance pathway of a Performance Solution.
  • The LSAA engaged the services of Basic Expert Pty Ltd, Fire Engineers, to develop a Guide to Preparing a Performance Solution for Fabric (“The Guide”)
  • The current version (Draft7) of The Guide is available HERE.
  • The purpose of The Guide is to help LSAA members navigate through the combustibility provisions of the BCA and provides valuable information to aid fire engineers with preparation of a performance solution for a coated tensile fabric project.
  • The Guide covers PVC/Polyester and PTFE/Fiberglass, but the principles in the guide applies to other tensile fabrics including HDPE.
  • Next Steps:

Fabric Cover to a Travelator at Ryde Shopping Mall

The LSAA website is being revamped with more images of the exciting structures our members have been involved with.

Because of the Covid-19 Pandemic, we have postponed our planned 2020 Conference and Design Awards. 

The next Design Awards Event will be February 24 2022 and Entries will close December 17 2021

The Design Awards enable members and non-members to enter projects that have been completed since the last Awards (October 2018).

August 2021 update: Some material for earlier Design Awards (1990, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002) have been added. See the sub-menus under Awards.

Are you working in the area of lightweight structures - tensioned fabric or membrane structures, cablenets, high tech glazing or other forms of innovative structures?

Possibly you should consider becoming a member of LSAA?

Most LSAA Members have been involved with either membrane structures (design, fabrication, erection, or supply of materials and fittings) for a considerable period of time. Others are involved with innovative new forms of architecture.

Being a financial member offers an opportunity to display your company profile on the LSAA website, to benefit from discount fees to conferences and LSAA Design Awards. 

There is also the opportunities to have access to a network of helpful members in your industry and to contribute news items to our website. Financial members may display the LSAA logo on their letters and website and link to the LSAA website.

Download a membership information pack 

Download a membership application form (Word doc 2020-21) PDF

Download the LSAA Members Code of Ethics 

Download a brochure about the LSAA

Download a booklet on Membrane Structures

Download a copy of our Constitution

TagsLSAA, membership, forms, application
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