M E RC E D E S - B E N Z S TA D I U M – D E S I G N A N D C O N S T R U C T I O N
Structural Engineers
Association of Georgia
05/10/2017
B U R O H A P P O L D
LO C A L K N O W L E D G E + G LO B A L E X P E RT I S E
Buro Happold
ORIGINS OF BURO HAPPOLD: FREI OTTO + TED HAPPOLD
BEGINNING OF ROOFS THAT TRANSFORM
� The New Stadium Project for the Atlanta Falcons will seat 75,000 fans and will feature a
roof opening that will provide flexibility in hosting a wide variety of events in the
stadium.
� Eight unique roof petals can open in less than eight minutes, creating a “camera lens-
like” effect that exposes the inside of the facility to the open air on game and event
days.
� Another first of its kind is the nearly five-stories tall 360-degree HD video halo board
that will not only be the largest video board in the NFL, but in the world.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
� Attraction for Atlanta
� Unique Design
� Roof Innovation
� Draw on World-Class Events
and Entertainment
INITIAL DESIGN GOALS
� Owner: Georgia World Congress Center Authority� Developer: Atlanta Falcons� Architect: HOK (Kansas City)� TVS, GVSA, SBS (Atlanta)� Contractor: Holder, Hunt, Russell, Moody, a Joint Venture� Structural: BuroHappold Engineering (Superstructure)
Sykes Consulting, Inc (Foundations, Precast)HOK (Halo Steel)
� Mechanization: Uni-Systems� MEP: WSP� Steel Fabricator: Canam Group� Steel Erector: Derr-Isbell Construction (Roof)
Superior Rigging (Facade)� Connection Consultants: Ferrell Engineers, MBJ� Use: NFL, MLS, NCAA Sports, Entertainment Events� Size: Approximately 2.0M square feet & 75,000 seats
PROJECT DETAILS
NEW STADIUM – SITE LOCATION
SIZE COMPARISON
SIZE COMPARISON
� 100% Schematic Design October 7, 2013
� Ground Breaking May 19, 2014
� 100% Design Development June 18, 2014
� Construction Documents - Concrete August 15, 2014
� Mill Order – Roof Steel (65 ksi) July 27, 2014
� Mill Order – Roof Steel September 2, 2014
� Mill Order – Façade Steel October 17, 2014
� Construction Documents – Roof Steel December 1, 2014
� Construction Documents – Architecture April 8, 2015
� Construction Documents – MEP April 8, 2015
� Opening August 2017
MILESTONES
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F A L C O N S S T A D I U M B R E A K D O W N
Foundation
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F A L C O N S S T A D I U M B R E A K D O W N
Bowl Structure
Foundation
COPYRIGHT © 1976-2015 BUROHAPPOLD ENGINEERING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
F A L C O N S S T A D I U M B R E A K D O W N
Bowl Seating
Bowl Structure
Foundation
COPYRIGHT © 1976-2015 BUROHAPPOLD ENGINEERING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
F A L C O N S S T A D I U M B R E A K D O W N
Bowl Seating
Bowl Structure
Foundation
Façade
COPYRIGHT © 1976-2015 BUROHAPPOLD ENGINEERING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
F A L C O N S S T A D I U M B R E A K D O W N
Roof Structure
Bowl Seating
Bowl Structure
Foundation
Façade
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F A L C O N S S T A D I U M S T R U C T U R E
COPYRIGHT © 1976-2015 BUROHAPPOLD ENGINEERING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
F A L C O N S S T A D I U M
S K I N
Foundations
PROJECT CASE STUDY
For Structural Engineers Association of Georgia (SEAOG)
By Martin Kigudde, PE
In Collaboration with BuroHappold Engineering and HOK
May 10, 2017
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
� Structural Engineering Consulting Firm
� Established in 2001
� Headquarters in Atlanta, GA
� Satellite Office in Savannah, GA
� Aviation, Sports, K-12, Higher Education,
Commercial, Residential.
Charles Drew High SchoolMetropolitan ChurchGainesville State
FISERV Office Building Metropolitan Library Lucas Oil Stadium
Hartsfield Jackson International Airport
Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CONRAC)
The New World of Coca-Cola
Atlanta
Savannah
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
National Work
21 States
International Work
Abu Dhabi
Anguilla
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
� Stadium is the new home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC.
� Scheduled to open in the fall of 2017.
� Foundation design started Mid-2013.
� Architects: HOK, tvsdesign, SBS, and GVSA.
� Structural Engineer Super-structure: Buro Happold Consulting Engineers
� Structural Engineer Halo: HOK Structural
� Structural Engineer: Sykes Consulting, Inc. EOR for:
� Foundations, retaining walls, and slab-on-grade.
� CMU walls.
� Precast seating and framing at lower bowl.
� Concession lids.
� Sponsorship Suites.
� Civil Engineer: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Long Engineering, Skyline Eng.
� Geotechnical Engineer: Langan Engineering and Environmental Services.
� Weekly BIM Collaboration between team members.
Project Introduction:
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
� Site located south of the current Georgia Dome and
bounded by:
� Northside Drive.
� Mangum Street.
� MLK Jr. Drive.
� Stadium construction required relocation of:
� MLK Jr. Drive and Mangum Street.
� Friendship Baptist Church.
� Mount Vernon Baptist Church.
� MARTA East-west line tunnel runs adjacent and to the
north of the site.
� Vibration considerations for the tunnel.
� Construction load surcharge limits.
� 5’-0” horizontal easement to tunnel walls
� Field Elevation at 1018’-0”
� Georgia Dome Field Level at 980’ (plaza 1011.6”)
Project Site:
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
� Foundation designed based on loads from Buro’s SAP analysis
models.
� 5 foundations types due to varying sub-surface conditions.
� Deep foundations for cast-in-place concrete bowl.
� Drilled Piers (66” to 78” diameter.)
� 18” diameter augercast-in-place piles (220-T & 150-T)
� Shallow foundations for precast inner bowl.
� Shallow foundations on existing soils
� Shallow foundations on Geopiers.
� 8" SOG Approx. 460,000 GSF (not including the playing field).
� Playing field was designed by specialty field designer, FTE, Inc.
� Quantities:
� 1900+ augercast piles
� 220+ Drilled piers
� 11,000+ CY of concrete in footings and pilecaps
� Deep Foundation Testing:
� 1 Full scale Statnamic test.
� 1 O-cell test to determine capacity.
� 2 Full scale auger cast pile tests.
Foundation Design:
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
� 19-mega columns support the main roof trusses.
� 8-Mat foundations support the mega column clusters.
� Mat foundations were designed using SAFE 3D-Finite
elements design software.
� Foundation reaction loads from Buro Happold’s SAP
model.
Mega Column Foundations:
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
� Mat foundations 7’-0” to 12’-0” thick high-strength concrete.
� Mat foundations supported on drilled piers and piles.
� Longitudinal and shear reinforcement required in the mats.
� Mass concrete considerations:
� Crushed ice and cooling the coarse aggregate with chilled water.
� Surface thermal insulation boards and curing blankets.
� Temps monitored using thermal couples.
Mat Foundations:
Mat Foundation rebar Mat Foundation rebar Insulation boards at Mat Foundation
Mat Foundation at South-East Quad (MCC02)(221 -18” diameter piles)
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
Foundation Design:
Mega Column Mat MCC05(7’-6” thick; 11-72” Piers)
� Mat Foundation design using SAFE software.
� IBC 2012
� Longitudinal and shear reinf.
� Individual piles and drilled piers designed
using Enercalc software.
� Drilled Pier Capacities: 2800 kips – 8300 kips
� Spread footings designed using Enercalc
software.
� Column pilecaps designed using Window’s
based proprietary pilecap design software
� Concrete Strength:
� Spread Footings = 4000 psi
� Augercast Piles = 4000-6000 psi
grout
� Pilecaps = 6000 psi
� Drilled Piers = 6000 psi
� Mat Foundations = 7000-8500 psi
Mega Column Mat MCC08(7’-6” thick; 16-72” Piers)
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
� Aggressive schedule; fast-track project.
� Foundation installation began while super-structure design still
progressing.
� Drill and epoxy for CMU wall dowels.
� Drilled pier rock sockets (5’-0” to 18’-0”).
� Failed O-cell drilled pier load test required redesign.
� Existing unforeseen deep foundations from previously demolished
structures.
� Handling long pile/pier rebar cages.
� Rebar congestion in mat foundation.
� Damaged foundation dowels.
Foundation Challenges:
Handling long rebar cages
Rebar congestion Damaged pile dowels
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
� Auger-cast pile contractor: Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc.
� Drilled pier contractor: ABE Geotechnical Contractors.
� Geopier contractor: Hayward Baker.
� Shallow foundation contractor: Precision Concrete.
� Concrete Supplier: Argos
� Foundation construction started in June 2014.
Foundation Construction:
Installation of 1st pile on project Auger-cast pile rebar cages Drilled pier rebar cages
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
Foundation Construction:
Geopiers at shallow
foundations
Tops of auger-cast piles Pilecap rebar and column dowels
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
� Hydrotherapy pools
� Drink rails.
� Goal post foundations.
� Broadcasting booths.
� Elevator pits.
� Escalator pits.
� Ramps.
Special Features at Field Level:
Escalator pit walls Elevator pit walls
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
� Inner bowl is all precast structure:
� Columns
� Vomitory walls
� Raker beams
� Seats
� Precast seating on cast-in-place rakers at concourse levels
outside inner bowl.
� Standard double and triple units
� Metromont is the precast contractor.
� Total NFL seating capacity is 70,148.
Precast Seats:
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
Precast Seating:
Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 10, 2017
Concession Lids:� At Concourse levels.
� Roofs over the concessions and bathrooms.
� Steel beams, joists, and metal deck.
� Supported by CMU walls and cast-in-place rakers.
� Fit out of Corporate sponsorship suites.
� Suites at Concourse levels.
� Structural steel and cold-formed framing.
� Misc. Framing for banners and TV monitors.
� ATT, Equifax, Anheuser Busch, American Family.
Sponsorship Suites:
Concrete Bowl
CONCRETE BOWL
Top of Seating
Upper Mezz
Upper Concourse
Upper Suite
Concourse 2
Low Suite
Concourse 1
Admin 2
Admin 1
RAKERS
MEGA COLUMNS
Mega Column Section
MEGA COLUMNS
MEGA COLUMNS
Mega Column Cap Details
CHALLENGES
Irregular Geometry
Fast Track Schedule
CONSTRUCTION - OCT 2014
CONSTRUCTION – MAR 2015
CONSTRUCTION – OCT 2015
CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION – MEGA COLUMN
CONSTRUCTION – RAKER
CONSTRUCTION – RAKER
CONSTRUCTION – FORM SAVERS
CONSTRUCTION – FIN COLUMN
CONSTRUCTION – FIN COLUMN
CONSTRUCTION – EXPANSION JOINT
CONSTRUCTION - RAMP
CONSTRUCTION – PRECAST TUB
CONSTRUCTION - CRANE
Facade Structure
FAÇADE STRUCTURE
Diagonal Truss System
Diagrid System
DESIGN EVOLUTION
FAÇADE STRUCTURE
Rhino
FAÇADE STRUCTURE
SAP2000
FAÇADE STRUCTURE
FAÇADE STRUCTURE
FAÇADE STRUCTURE
FAÇADE STRUCTURE
Façade at East Window
FAÇADE STRUCTURE
Façade at East Window
Façade at East Window
CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS
Fixed Roof
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R O O F S T R U C T U R E
EARLY PHASES
FIXED ROOF STRUCTURE
� 4 Primary Trusses
� Rotated 46 deg
� Supports Video Halo
� Supports Downward Rail
FIXED ROOF STRUCTURE
� Frames Octagon Opening
� Supports Video Halo
� Supports Downward Rail
FIXED ROOF STRUCTURE
� Parallel to A & B Trusses
� Supports Upward Rails
FIXED ROOF STRUCTURE
� Petals run on A, B, & C Trusses
� Downward rails on A & B Trusses
� Upward rails on C Trusses
COPYRIGHT © 1976-2014 BUROHAPPOLD ENGINEERING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
A N A LY S I S M O D E L
• 25,856 Members• 13,033 Joints• 157 Load Patterns• 2100 Load Combinations
BIM
3D MODEL – AS DELIVERABLE
� Tekla Model was the deliverable for Steel
� Contractor can rely on the model for Steel information
� PDFs still required for:• General Notes, Specs, Typical Details
Someday this will be the standard of care
STEEL DELIVERY PROCESS
REVIEW SUBMITTALS IN 3D
SUMBITTAL ARE LISTED HERE
STATUS OF ASSEMBLY HERE.
BENEFITS OF MODEL REVIEW
• More accurate review
• Better coordination with other trades
• Faster review
• Green!!!
� Review Process in 3D
� Better coordination with other trades
3D SUBMITTAL REVIEW
APPROVAL STAMPING
COMMENTS ON THE PDF
REPORT OF REVIEW STATUS
ERECTION DRAWINGS
GEOMETRY REVIEW IN 2DA
... PUT IN CONTEXT WITH 3D
IDENTIFY CONNECTIONS BETWEEN
SUBMITTALS
REVIEW REPETITIVE ASSEMBLIES
CONNECTION
CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS
CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS
CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS
TRUSS PICK
Video Halo Structure
MERCEDES BENZ STADIUMHALO SUPPORT STRUCTURE
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Rich Saunders, P.E., S.E.Associate | Senior Project Structural Engineer HOK
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Revit Model of Primary Roof
Structure (Buro Happold)
AutoCAD layout of Video
Screen (Daktronics)
Primary Roof Truss
Displacements, Stiffnesses
(Buro Happold)
Grasshopper Script
Structural Analysis Model
(Oasys GSA)
Geometry For Revit
Model
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Roof Petals
RETRACTABLE ROOFS
Stadium Roof Opening Time
AT&T Stadium Dallas, Texas
12 Minutes
NRG StadiumHouston, Texas
10 Minutes
Lucas Oil StadiumDallas, Texas
12 Minutes
University of Phoenix StadiumPhoenix, Arizona
12 Minutes
Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, Georgia
8 Minutes
ROOF STRUCTURE
1
23
1
3
2
PETAL ROOF STRUCTURE
OPERABLE ROOF STRUCTURE
ETFE Framing
3D Axonometric: ETFE Framing
OPERABLE ROOF STRUCTURE
Button Framing
3D Axonometric: Button Framing
PETAL SUPPORT TRUSSES
OPERABLE ROOF STRUCTURE
OPERABLE ROOF STRUCTURE
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Q U E S T I O N S ?