Entrant: Tensys Engineers Pty Ltd
- Location: Doha, Qatar
- Client: Lakhwiya Sports Club
- Completion Date: February 2013
This project was entered in the 2013 LSAA Design Awards (Cat 4, #6515)
The development is to create a new stadium for the local Qatar League team ‘Lakhwiya’. The works involve creating a 15,000 seat stadium with 4 grand stand sun shading roofs.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Abdullah bin Khalifa (Lakhwiya Stadium)
Lakhwiya Football Club is local league champions in 2012 and 2013. The development is to create a new home stadium for this team. Al Khayyat Development were provided with the brief to carry out a design and build facilities for (not only) the stadium but associated facilities of car parking, gymnasium and ancillary buildings
DESIGN / FABRICATION / INSTALLATION BRIEF
Prior to the involvement of Tensys, the US concept architects and consultants in Egypt had proceeded with a design that did not take into account the prestress nature of the tension fabric roof. All foundations and piers were in place prior to engagement of Tensys. This created a very difficult project for Tensys to work with these existing foundations and changing the steelwork supporting frame and geometry.
The other element that was not on the side of the team was time - 6 months has progressed since foundations have been placed and it required the use of multiple sub-contractors to achieve the delivery deadline.
This involved collaboration from all parties (directed by Al Khayyat’s project director Eng Essam).
The original brief for Tensys was to work on the design work only. However as the project progressed, we undertook a larger role in not only working on the design but also coordination and monitoring of the steelwork and associated tensile fabric works.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
The stadium concept was created using an orthogonal grid line. However the roof structure required a radial gridline. Unfortunately the project had progressed a fair way down the track that it was not possible to change these. Tensys had to create a radial gridline (for the steelwork and fabric) with the limitations of the works already carried out on site.
The fabric form requirement was for a very flat roof tensile roof. This was not easily achieved and required to use of both high variable prestress. All modules were created to be individual fabric units clamped onto steelwork. The 2D truss silhouette was an architectural statement that had to remain with the structure.
MATERIALS
The superstructure of the roof was created with welded and bolted CHS steelwork. Inducing rolling and bending techniques had to be brought on board to ensure the architectural elements and profile were maintained.
The fabric is a PVC/polyester fabric (supplied by Ferrari)
FABRICATION
CAD CAM technology was used extensively to create fabric cutting patterns. The steelwork were fully drawn in 3D to ensure accuracy and fit with the fabric. There was a high tolerance requirement on the steelwork fabrication and installation. Due to the tight timeframe both tasks (of fabric fabrication and steelwork fabrication) were carried out simultaneously.
COLLABORATION, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
The project is the result of a close collaboration of all parties –designers, General Contractor and sub contractors. This was made easier with the General Contractor championing the design and changes from Tensys.
Credits:
- Architect: Perkins Eastman (USA), ECG (Egypt)
- Structural Engineer: Tensys Engineers
- Builder: Al Khayyat Development
- Fabricator: Hardco
