Designing Lightweight Stadium Roofing Structures Based on Advanced Analysis Methods

Abstract

The current structural engineering practical standards are unable to offer an universal structural design standard for long-spanning lightweight stadium roofing structures. As such, the design procedure of a particular stadium roof is not replicable to another. This research aims to present a novel design procedure for lightweight stadium roofing structures considering the Lakhwiya stadium the Optus Stadium and the CommBank Stadium as experimental cases. Using the finite element analysis (FEA) software Strand7, the cases will be modelled and analysed. Varying load cases and combinations such as ultimate strength (ULS) and serviceability limit states (SLS) based on the Australian Standard AS1170.0:2002 will be calculated and subsequently applied. Linear static analysis will then be undertaken where critical members will be identified within the model. Based on this, preliminary member sizing and design feasibility checks will be conducted in order to ensure structural stability and compliance to the Australian Steel Structure code AS4100:2020. A linear buckling analysis is also conducted based on the selected sizes from the initial stage to determine critical loads. Advanced analysis including non-linear buckling computation is comprehensively managed. Some of the crucial parameters such as maximum displacement, maximum/minimum principal stresses, critical buckling loads, as well as load factors are examined. The main novelty of this study is to determine a clear road map to design stadium roofing systems subjected to a combination of different types of the loading.