Maffeis Engineering S.p.A.

is today recognized as one of the world few leading engineering consultancy firms in the field of Tension
Membrane/Fabric structures and ETFE foil
designs for long span structural applications
such as Stadia covers and facade design
(including retractable roofs/systems).
We understand that customer satisfaction is
the key to a successful business and our performance has allowed us to grow continuously since the start of our company. We serve
all markets including Sport, Public, Commercial, Industrial, Bridge and Energy Technology.
Our constant efforts at improvement and
development of the services that we offer
has led to the now available CFD analysis for
state of the art wind loading calculations for
unconventionally shaped structures and heat
transfer technology.
We are also developing technology in the
Solar Power Plant field.
Maffeis Engineering S.p.A., with its principal design office near Bassano del Grappa
in Northern Italy, was founded in 2000 and
it consists of 22 specialized Engineers, 12
Architects, 6 Draftsmen and software developers.
Maffeis Engineering S.p.A. has recently joined
Dar Group (one of the worlds leading A/E
companies).

about us

competences
Tensile Structure
ETFE Cushion
Retractable covering
Special steel structures
Concrete/wood structures
Renewable energies and Solar Plants
Building renovation
Preliminary Studies
CFD analysis and building physics
Software Development

membrane
Doha International stadium
Jamarat Bridge
Marseille Vlodrome
Opera Lesna
Pompidou Center

01
special steel structure
C.A. Arena Odense
Multi purpose Hall
NAS Arena
Tabiat Bridge
Volgograd stadium

etfe

retractable roof

Akter Galaxy Apartment Hotel

Chemnitz station
ITE Singapore

02
cable structure

03
CFD

Doha International stadium

Talima Mall Shopping Center

04
mechanical

Bird garden
Kalifa stadium
Mercedes Benz Arena
Milan Expo 2015

05
index - main projects

06

07

08

Engineering & Consulting

Tensile Structures conception and design: this field represents our core business with many projects complited all over the
world. The possibilities offered by this type of structures are very wide and we can offer to our clients many solutions for one single problem.
ETFE Cushion design: ETFE cushions are a lightweight alternative to glass roofs or facades. The cushions are pressurized with air to
provide structural stability and the layers of ETFE can be coated to provide effective insulating values.
Retractable covering design: a retractable roof is an important opportunity to change the aspect of buildings such as stadiums, shopping
malls and theaters and give them the possibility to be used also with bad weather conditions or to be opened to the sky in sunny days.
Special steel structures design: aircraft hangars, bridges, shopping malls, stadiums, steel coverings, pavilions, stages, amphitheatres.
Concrete/wood structures design: our work cover a large range of buildings from residential to office, commercial, industrial buildings.
Renewable energies and Solar Plants: our company is involved with the most important italian energy companies (ENEL and ENEA) in
developing and making high efficiency solar plants in South of Italy.
Buildings renovation: with the continuous consumption of new land its becoming gradually more and more important renovate old
buildings than build new ones. Thats why we decided to develop this type of work, managing several projects on historical buildings.
Preliminary Studies: We can provide a high quality package to clients including, preliminary analysis and preliminary drawings with render
views to help visualize the proposed structure.
CFD Analysis and building physics: Our company continually improves our structural analysis software. Recent developments include
the completion of CFD wind analysis software that replaces the need for wind tunnel testing of unusually shaped structures. In addition we
can offer computerized thermal analysis of building envelope materials.
Software Development: Supported by engineers with a world wide experience on civil, industrial and stuctural issues, the software development office makes software for building 3D surface and open/close environment computational models and develops software applications which allows the drawing of architectural solutions with well balanced structural properties.
Our software developers have big experience in Microsoft developing languages (C++, C#, WindowsForm, WPF) and in developing on CAD
enviroment as Autodesk products (we are subscriber of Autodesk Developer Network), Rhinoceros and Google SketchUp.

our competences

Scope of our work

Architectural design

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface
Seats

Al Khor - Qatar
Membrane
DAR al handasah
consultants
Design and build
DAR al handasah
consultants

03

PTFE membrane,
cables, steel
77 m
225.000 m2
65.000

01

02

01 render view
02 qatari tent interior
03 qatari tent
04 plan view
05 west elevation

77 m

This project is one of the FIFA world cup stadiums for 2022 in Qatar. This stadium will be
one of the largest in the world covering a floor
area of 96,900 m2. It includes many special
features including a black PTFE cladding on
the roof with black and white PTFE stripes
on the facade. This is chosen to represent
the traditional qatari tent with a black roof
and black and white horizontal stripes on the
facade.
The interior of the stadium has a printed PVC
liner to represent the interior of the qatari tent.
The center portion of the roof features a
folding retractable system.
Construction is planned to start in late 2014.

340 m

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client

285 m
04

al khor international stadium

05

01 steel structure - displacements

02 steel structure - stress
03 membrane - outer layer stress
04 structure - isometric view
05 membrane stress - isometric view
06 CFD analysis
07 main section
01

i
c

02

03

04

05

06

P
Ic

07

01 typical section
02 upper truss - render view
03 mast - anchorage navigator
04 mast - section
05 facade upper truss - detail
06 mast - detail
07 mast - render view

03

01

02

a
04

a
a - PTFE
b - tie back cable
05

c - roof truss

06

07

P
D
R
d

01 linear typical panel - plan view

02 rolls for liner - plan view
03 typical panel - render view

01

a -printed PVC fabric membrane

b- main steel truss
c - facade upper truss
d - facade bottom truss

d
02

03

01

02

03

04

a
05

01 roof membrane - navigator

a - main steel truss

02 roof membrane - typical panel

a - facade bottom truss

a - printed PVC fabric

b - printed PVC fabric

b - shotgun

07

08

c - liner steel pipe

03 roof membrane - detail

04 roof membrane - section
05 typical panel - overview
06 typical panel - detail
07 typical panel - detail
08 typical panel - section

06

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

Technical data
Material
Surface

Makkah - Saudi Arabia

Membrane
Tamimi Group
Design and production
Maffeis Engineering
S.p.A.

PTFE / Fiberglass
Membrane
35.000 m2

This structure consists of 4 open span

structures of approximately 120m x 80m
each. These structures provide shade to the
millions of Muslim pilgrims that attend the
annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The pilgrims
throw stones at the jamrah pillars under the
canopies as part of their stoning of the devil
ritual. The PTFE membrane is supported by
radial cables which connect to oval shaped
steel structures at the high points of the four
structures. These oval rings are in turn suspended from external cables above the roof
which connect to the top of steel perimeter
masts. These large forces at the top of the
masts are balanced by tie-back cables.

01

01 aerial view
02 internal view
03 plan view

03

Jamarat Bridge

02

01

02

03

04

P
Ic

i
c

01 FEM analysis
02 CFD analysis
03 CFD analysis
04 FEM analysis - fiber stress
05 3D model
05

06

06 3D model zoom

01

02

03

05

01 top column - FEM analysis

02 top column - construction
03 base column - construction
04 column detail
05 cables
06 cables and columns assembling

06

04

P
D
S
d

01 column - 3D model/details
02 columns - construction

s
r

01

02

01 view of the structure

02 cladding detail
03 membrane detail
04 membrane detail
05 view of the structure
06 membrane detail
07 cladding section

03
01

02

06

04

05

07

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

01
7

10

11

12

01 construction - frontal view

13

02 plan view

14

15

16

17

18

E
19

D
20
21

59

58

22

57

23

25

27

53
29

28

52
49

31

30

50
48

32
47

33

46

34
45

35

44

36
43

42

02

marseille vlodrome

41

40

39

38

37

258 m

251 m

24

54

This project consists of a PTFE membrane roof cladding tensioned over supporting
steel arches. The large roof area required a
large perimeter gutter system to handle peak
rainfall intensities. This design was offered
as a VE design to the original tendered roof
which had a flat membrane roof which would
have allowed snow to slide and accumulate
at the low points with potential membrane
stress and ponding issues at these low points.
The new VE proposal of an undulating shape
created by arches will prevent the snow from
sliding to the low points. The cladding of the
facades is also performed using PTFE membrane.

56

Surface

PTFE, PVC, steel and

aluminium
60.000 m2

55

Technical data
Material

Marseille - France
Membrane
Taiyo Europe
Design and production
SCAU, Atelier 9

01

02

03

01 membrane - analysis
02 membrane - displacements
03 membrane - wind pressure
04 steel/membrane - analysis
05 facade typical model
06 3D model

05

06

P
Ic
04

i
c

01

02

04

03

05

06

01 facade - typical model

02 facade - construction
03 arches - section
04 CHS 60 connection - detail
05 plate connection - detail
06 arches - construction
07 CHS 60 connection - detail
08 plate connection - detail
07

08

09 arches - construction

09

01

02

03

a - fabric
b - ultralock
c - clamping tube

04

01 panels - external view

02 panels - internal view
03 clamping - detail
04 ultralock - detail
05 membrane - corner detail

05

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface
Inner
Outer
Seats

Sopot - Poland
Membrane
Taiyo Europe
Design and production
J. Szczesny,
A. Goebiewski,
W. Rosowski

PTFE, PVC membrane,

steel
35 m
6000 m2
PVC 1500 m2
PTFE 4500 m2
4400

This large PTFE canopy provides weather

protection to the attendees to the performances at this location in the woods in Sopot
Poland. The canopy is supported by a large
central arch structure. Cables are connected
to this arch and to the perimeter steel columns. The columns are stabilized by tie-back
cables. Edge cables span between the columns to support the edge of the membrane
panels. The membrane cladding is connected
to the cables and steel arch. Membrane closures are added to provide a weather proof
system.

01 inside view - picture

45 m

02 south front view

03 plan view

105 m

35 m

105 m
02

opera lesna-sopot

01

03

02

04

03

01

b
c
06
a
d

01 main arches - construction

a main steel arches

02 FEM analysis - primary structure

b catwalk pipes

03 FEM analysis - secondary structure

c steel cables

04 FEM analysis - membrane force

d steel columns

05 structure - render view

06 CFD analysis - simulation
07 CFD analysis - computational wind tunnel

05

07

P
Ic

i
c

02

04

03

01

06

05

01 anchor detail - construction

02 FEM analysis - ancor detail

09

03 cables - column connection - construction

04 FEM analysis - cables - column connection
05 anchor detail - isometric view
06 anchor detail - front view
07 anchor detail - plan view
08 cables - column connection - isometric view
09 cables - column connection - front view
10 cables - column connection - plan view

07

08

10

b
d
a valley cable

03

b ss metal strap
c PTFE closure flap
d double aluminium profile - EPDM keder
e PTFE membrane

b
a
04

01

a border cable

02

b valley cable
c column

d reinforced PTFE membrane

e PTFE membrane

d
a

01 cable clamping detail - picture

02 border clamping detail - picture
03 valley cable clamping detial - section

04 border cable clamping detial - section

05 corner clamping detail - plan view

06 corner clamping detail - picture
05

06

a border cable
c

b ss metal strap
c double aluminium profile - EPDM keder
d PTFE membrane

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface

Metz - France
Membrane
TaIyo Europe
Design and production
Shigeru Ban

PTFE / fiberglass
membrane
38 m
8000 m2

01

The museum of modern and contemporary

art designed by Shigeru Ban located in Metz
France, is one of the new symbols of the
contemporary architecture in Europe.
With a surface area of 8000 m2, the roof
structure is composed of over 16 kilometers
of glued and laminated timber, that intersect
to form hexagonal wooden units resembling
the cane-work pattern of a traditional chinese
hat. The PTFE membrane cladding provides a
perfect internal light ambiance and
spectacular nightime images.

105 m

37 m

01 picture
02 section view
03 plan view

90 m
02

centre pompidou

03

P
Ic

i
c
01

03

02

04

01 FEM analysis - membrane stress with snow load

02 FEM analysis - membrane stress with wind load
03 render view
04 membrane sim line - isometric view
05 wood structure - isometric view
06 membrane clamping phase - construction

05

06

a tension system bars

b upstand
c screw
d wood beam

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

b
c

01

01 steel upstand detail

02 FEM analysis - detail
03 FEM analysis - detail
04 FEM analysis - detail
05 steel upstand - isometric view
06 steel upstand - isometric view
07 FEM analysis - detail
08 upstand detail - construction
09 upstand - construction

a PTFE skirt
b main fabric
c edge external beam
d wood perimetral beam
e keder

b
f

f rope

d
01

02

03

05

06

c
d
04
a aluminium profile
b reinforce
c tension system bars
d upstand plate

01 border clamping detail - construction

02 beam clamping detail - construction
03 border clamping - typical section
04 beam clamping detail - isometric view
05 corner clamping detail - construction
06 border clamping - construction

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

Sochi - Russia
ETFE
Taiyo Europe
Design and production
E.Epifanich-M.Shovich

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface

ETFE & steel

95 m
3.000 m2

02

01

25m

98m

This high profile project constructed for the

Sotchi Winter Olympics of 2014, consists of
an ETFE roof over a hotel atrium. The ETFE
cushions are supported on a steel truss
framework. The varying geometry of the
perimeter support system including horizontal
and vertical slopes and curves was the most
difficult aspect of the project, but once this
geometry was finalized with the project architect the project proceeded smoothly and the
cushion patterning provided a very satisfactory final aspect.

01 render view
02 building site picture
03 lateral view
04 plan view

akter galaxy apartment hotel

03

04

85m

P
Ic

a- upper arch
b- lower arch
c- vertical support
d- braced cross rod

e- braced streight rod

f - border

g- border support
h- sliding connection
i- pin connection

02
d
c
e
b

f
e

01

03

04

01 installation
02 structure typical arch isometric view
03 structural analysis
04 structural analysis - arches
05 FEM analysis - displacement verification
06 arches on site

05

06

i
c

01

01 typical arch - front view

02 typical connection - front view
03 FEM analysis - typical connection
04 typical connection - render view
05 typical arch - render view

d
03

a
a - pin
b - ETFE layer printed
c - ETFE layer clear
d - border pipe

02

05

04

01

02

03

04

According to EN 1990, the working life of the structure has

01 typical cladding detail - inside render view

been taken equal to 50 years.

02 aluminium profile - typical section

The ETFE cushions are composed by three layers.

03 aluminium profile - construction

The material resistance is tested by mono-axial sample test.

04 ETFE cushion - construction

It takes into account the duration of the external load, the

05 cushions - plan view

reduction of resistance of material due the pollution and de-

06 cushions - construction

gradation effect, the effect of temperature on the membrane

and the imperfection of the manufacture.
ETFE mechanical properties:
Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene is a fluor polymer plastic. The
thickness of the layer used is 250 m for the upper and lower
layer; 100 m for the middle layer.
Mechanical characteristics:
Estress=800 N/mm2
fuk, 5% fractile= 52 N/mm2

05

fuk seams, 5% fractile= 32 N/mm2

The middle layer hasnt any pretension, but it own curvature
gives by a difference of inner pressure equal to 50 Pa.Therefore in standard situation the inner pressure is equal to 300 (and
350) Pa; in case of snow it is equal to 1100 (and 1050) Pa.

06

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work

Chemnitz, Germany
ETFE
Temme Obermeier
Design and production

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface
Inner
Outer

ETFE - PTFE mesh

15 m
6000 m2
PTFE mesh 2000 m2
ETFE 4000 m2

This project consists of exterior cladding of

the facades of the station with ETFE cushions.
And of cladding the interior facades with PTFE
panels. Development of the clamping system
and support system was complicated by the
lack of support for the structural elements on
the faade interior and the need to keep the
structural elements to a maximum sizing to
accomplish the architectural goals. The situation was resolved using hanging cables that
both provided support for the weight of the
frames but also provided some resistance to
the internal wind loads within the station. Internal wind loads because of course the station
is open to the elements on one side.
The external clamping system used and the
high quality cushion patterning provided a pleasing external appearance.

01

02

15 m

90 m

03

01east facade - picture

02 ETFE cushions - detail picture
03 north facade - front view
155 m

04 east facade - front view

04

chemnitz station

P
Ic

01

05

02

03

The loads analysis of the ETFE cushions, of

the PTFE mesh panels and the aluminium
profiles needs to the main structure engineers
to calculate the structure and to find the best
points to connect the cladding structure to the
primary structure.

01 FEM analysis - ETFE external layer

02 FEM analysis - PTFE mesh
03 FEM analysis - aluminium profile displacement
04 steel primary and secondary structure - render view
05 plates for the aluminium connection to the primary
structure
06 aluminium connection system

04

06

i
c

01

02

03

c
a PTFE mesh
b aluminium profile
c connection plate
d primary steel structure

01facade system - render view

02 typical PTFE panel - render view
03 inside view - building site picture
04 PTFE clamping system - typical detail
05 PTFE clamping detail - picture

04

05

e
f

01

02

03

04

a ETFE cushion
b EPDM
c aluminium profile
d U profile
e connection system
f primary structure
(not our scope of work)
01 facade system - render view
02 typical ETFE cushion - render view
03 roof-facade corner - typical section
04 ETFE cushion clamping system - typical detail
05 roof-facade corner - picture
05

06

06 corner facade - building site picture

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface

Singapore
ETFE
Taiyo Europe
Design and production
RSP Architects
Planners & Engineers

ETFE, steel
16 m
6.000 m2

02

01

100 m

This new college development in Singapore

promotes good design and environmental
awareness. The ETFE canopy links the building blocks together while providing shade
to the outdoor sports areas and inspiration
spine. The continuous linkage between the
school blocks and workshop blocks symbolise that education is a continuous and lifelong
learning process. The ETFE with leaf imprints
allows for only 50% of natural daylight to diffuse through, whilst sheltering the inspiration
spine from the elements. This double-layered
ETFE pillow system provides heat insulation
and reduces harmful UV from penetrating to
the circulation space below.

01 top view
02 inside view
03 masterplan
03

ITE singapore

245 m

01 3D model Amphitheatre
02 FEM analysis - wind suction
03 FEM analysis - wind compression
04 3D model Forum
05 FEM analysis - wind suction
06 FEM analysis - wind compression
07 amphitheatre - construction
08 forum - construction

01

02

03

07

04

08

05

06

P
Ic

i
c

top layer clear

bottom layer printed

01

04
c
b

a - cushion
b - alu profile
c - keder
d

02

03

01 FEM analysis - border beam

02 FEM analysis - aluminium extrusion section
03 typical alu profile
04 cushion concept
05 construction

05

d - stainless bolt M10

01

02

04

01 forum - top view

02 forum - cushion detail
03 general view
04 covering detail
05 forum - bottom view

03

05

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface

Al Khor - Qatar
Retractable roof
DAR al-handasah
consultants
Design and build
DAR al handasah
consultants

PTFE / fiberglass
membrane, steel
77 m
14.880 m2

01

This project is one of the FIFA world cup stadiums for 2022 in qatar. this stadium will be
one of the largest in the world covering a floor
area of 96,900 m2. It includes many special
features including a black PTFE cladding on
the roof with black and white PTFE stripes on
the facade. This is chosen to represent the
traditional qatari tent with a black roof and
black and white horizontal stripes on the facade. The structure also includes a large (160m
x 98m) retractable roof, several options were
considered and the final option chosen by the
client was a folding system. The moving steel
trusses will ride on rails that are supported
from the primary trusses that run in the long
direction of the roof. These trusses are supported from structural towers that are outside
the seating bowl.

02 roof closed - plan view

160 m

03 roof open - plan view

93 m

02

al kohr international stadium

retractable roof

01 render view

03

01

02

03

04

P
Ic

i
c
05

01 retractable roof - stress

02 retractable roof - displacements
03 retractable roof - fabric verification
04 retractable roof open - wind pressure
05 retractable roof open - navigator
06 steel structure - isometric view
07 steel structure - section

07

06

03

01

02

01 retractable roof closed plan/front view

02 retractable roof closed - render view
03 navigator
04 retractable roof open plan/front view
05 retractable roof open - render view
06 main section - east/west
07 main section - north/south
04

05

06

07

open/closed roof

01 typical section
02 main truss - detail
03 main truss - section

01

a - PTFE fabric membrane

b - sefar tenara fabric
c
02

c - printed PVC full fabric membrane

d - engine

03

fixed panel PTFE

white fabric
03

01

02

04
a - fixed PTFE white fabric

sefar tenara fabric

b - sefar tenara fabric

b
a

05
06

a - fabric

01 typical panel - overview

02 typical panel - section
03 closign panel - render view
04 closign panel - render view
05 typical panel - section
05 typical panel - section

07 typical panel - clamping detail

07

08

08 clamping detail - plan view

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface

Gore Tenara/Steel
13 m
6.000 m2

This large folding roof style retractable system

is installed over a shopping mall to provide
the benefit of the open air during nice
weather and a weather proof roof in inclement
weather. This design is the 4th generation of
this style of roof with the lessons learned from
earlier smaller projects fully implemented in
this design. Steel arches support the folding
PVC membrane and these arches are moved
along the rails by electrical motor driven
chains. A separate mechanical tensioning
system provides full tension to the membrane
after the roof is fully extended. This tension allows the roof to be fully resistant to all normal
design loads during full extension.

01

01 aerial view
02 plan view
03 front view

13 m

Athens - Greece
Retractable roof
Taiyo Europe
Design and production
Archicon-Ltd

37,5 m

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

72 m

02

talima mall

03

P
Ic

01

i
c
02

03

04

01 steel structure - steel stress

02 steel structure - global displacement
03 3D model
04 CFD analysis - pressure distribution
05 CFD analysis - isometric view
06 CFD analysis - velocity vectors
05

06

07

07 CFD analysis - velocity stream lines

01 steel column - lateral/front view

02 steel columns - construction
2

03 steel column - sections

04 steel column - isometric view

05 steel columns beams - construction

02

01

03

04

05

01 retractable roof - sections

02 arches - section
03 retractable roof - moving system detail
04 retractable roof - mechanical cart detail
05 membrane - roof open

01
02

03

04

05

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface

PVC
18 m
8.000 m2

This project is the roof covering for a

Velodrome in Odense, Denmark.
The roof consists of 9 PVC membrane panels
supported by 8 structural steel trusses.
The trusses are unusual since their center
lines are not vertical but are tilted off the
vertical to match the slope of the roof.
This architectural feature, made the design
and especially the installation of the trusses
more complex. The longer trusses are
85m in length. The thrust force in the arched
trusses is balanced with a Macalloy bar.

01

01 render view
02 plan view
03 front view

18 m

Odense - Denmark
Special steel structure
Taiyo Europe
Design and production
Mikkelsen Arkitekter

85 m

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

120 m
02

C.A. - arena odense

03

P
Ic

01

i
c

02

04

01 toroid - arches concept

02 FEM analysis - fabric deforming
03 FEM analysis - fabric displacement
04 3D model
05 arches - 3D model
06 arches - construction

03

05

06

01

02

03

05

06

01 FEM analysis - diablo connection

02 diablo connection - render view
03 column - FEM analysis
04 column - render view
05 diablo conncetion - construction
06 column - front view
07 diablo connection - detail
07

08 column - details

08

04

01

02

01 concrete connection - FEM analysis

02 concrete connection - render view
03 concrete connection - plan/front view details
03

04

04 concrete connection - construction

01

02

d
c

a - keder 12 EPDM
b - clamping plate
c - main fabric PVC Type IV

03

d - reinforcement PVC Type IV

01 3D model
02 corner with closure flap - typical detail
03 closure around main pipe - typical section
04 closure flap - section
05 clamping - typical section

04

05

Scope of our work

Architectural design

Technical data
Material
Surface

Doha - Qatar
Special steel structure
DAR al andasah
consultants
Full design
DAR al handasah
consultants

Glass, aluminium,
steel
50.000 m2

01 render view
02 plan view
03 front view

8
m

multipurpose sport hall

01

28

The structural system can be described as

a diagrid structure. Conventional diagrid
structures constructed in the past have been
primarily vertical buildings. diagrid (a portmanteau of diagonal-grid) is a design for constructing large buildings with steel that creates
triangular structures with diagonal support
beams. The advantage of this system is that it
requires less structural steel than a conventional steel frame. The outward arching external
cloves of the building with an internal irregular dome are all supported using the diagrid
structural system. There is a steel ring beam
at the perimeter of the irregular dome that
supports the internal portion of the roof. This
ring beam is supported in turn by vertical steel
columns at approximately 12 meter spacing.
The steel columns are supported at the level
4 concrete. The outer perimeter of the structure is supported on the top of the concrete
podium structure. The primary structural steel
system will support an overlay of the secondary structure consisting of aluminium extruded sections that will provide support for the
cladding system of a combination of triangular aluminium sandwich panels and triangular
shaped glass panels that will be nominally 2
meters x 2 meters.

18

51 m

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client

02

03

P
Ic
01

02

03

04

05

a - top column steel ring

b - concrete columns
c - dome

01 steel structure - global stress result

02 steel structure - global stress result
03 FEM analysis - pressure isolines
04 FEM analysis - velocity vectors
05 steel structure - section
06 steel structure - construction
06

07 3D model

07

i
c

01

02

03

04

05

01 pipe connection - FEM analysis

02 pipe connection - render view
03 concrete connection - render view
04 pipe connection - isometric view
05 pipe connection - construction
06 pipe connection - front view
07 concrete connection - typical section
06

08 oncrete connection - typical detail

07

08

02

01

01 cladding panels - render view

02 cladding panles - render view
03 cladding panles - assembling

03

Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

Height
Surface

Steel structure
aluminium and glass
cladding
31 m
26.000 m2

01

01 render view
02 plan view
03 front view

31 m

This structure will house a volley ball court

and provides for multi-uses. This elliptical
dome structure consists of radial steel beams
connecting the edge of the structure to the
center. There are some intermediate columns
to provide support for the dome outside the
court and spectator areas. The shape of the
building provides that the bottom edge of the
structure returns on itself and this inefficient
structural feature was mitigated by installing
a ring truss at the point of the maximum
diameter (some meters above the floor level).
Another interesting feature of the structure is
the cladding which features alternating patterns of aluminium panels with glass panels
including spandrel panels and pure glass
panels.

140 m

Technical data
Material

Dubai - UAE
Special steel structure
Dar Al-Handasah
Consultants
Full design
Dar Al-Handasah
Consultants

02

NAS - arena dubai

170 m

03

Description of structural design.

An in-house CFD has been performed on the structure to
determine the correct wind loads to be applied. The structure
a

was analyzed with Straus 7 and SAP 2000 software. The

large irregular openings and the cantilevering effect of the
shape at the perimeter of the structure were the major difficulties to be overcome from a structural point of view. These
conditions were solved by adding the ring truss at the widest
point of the structure.

01

05

a dome
b columns
c compression ring

02
c

06

03

MAIN
ENTRANCE

01 FEM analysis - buckling modes

02 FEM analysis - displacement

VERTICAL WALL
0.82

03 CFD simulation result

04 CFD post processing
c

05 3D model internal part

06 3D model external part

04

0.53

-0.03

-0.17

-0.37

-0.47

-0.37

-0.17

07

07 3D model

01

05

03

06

01 base plate - FEM analysis

02 base plate - detail
03 base plate - render view
04 typical steel connection
05 typical column - render view
06 typical column connection
02

07 connection plate to dome

04

07

02

01

03

01 external skin concept

02 render view
03 elevation with main panels division
04 secondary panels scheme
05 operable panel detail
06 glass typical detail

04

05

06

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

Technical data
Material
Length

Teheran - Iran
Special steel structure
Diba Architecture
Production design
Leila Araghian Diba Tensile Architecture

Steel
270 m

Tabiat Bridge, located in north of Tehran, is

the largest pedestrian bridge of Iran.
This bridge is 270 meters long spanning over
a major highway connecting two popular
parks to each other. It is a 3 dimensional
complex truss sitting on 3 tree shaped columns and includes of 3 levels. The first level
has a caf-gallery and a small restaurant.
The second level is mainly for people who
are crossing from one park to the other park,
they may be walking, biking, skating or riding
on a horse carriage. The 3rd level includes
of 2 platforms which only exist on top of the
columns, they are the view points to stay and
enjoy the surrounding views. all along the bridge there are stairs and ramps that connect
all the levels to each other. This project will be
open to public in 2014 and is going to be one
of the landmarks of Tehran.

01

02 plan view
03 front view

02

tabiat bridge

01 construction

03

01

02

P
Ic

04

03

i
c

01 steel stress
02 steel stress
03 wind velocity vectors on
lengthwise cutting planes
04 wind velocity vectors on
lengthwise cutting planes
05 3D model
05

06 construction

06

03

01

02

01 bottom view
02 base column - contruction
03 lateral view
04 bottom view
05 overview

04

05

01

02

03

05

06

04

01 base column - perspective view

02 base column - enlargement from the top
03 base column - construction
04 base column - section
05 base column - front view
08 base column - construction

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

Volgograd Stadium will be one of the stadiums for the FIFA 2018 world cup in Russia.
The stadium roof consists of a tensioned
cable structure supporting a PVC membrane
cladding, with a polycarbonate panel covered inner ring. The tension forces of the radial
cables are balanced by a structural steel
compression ring, the compression ring is in
turn supported by concrete columns.
The massive tension in the lower radial
cables provides the support to the dead load
of the inner ring. The inner ring consists of
two cable tension rings that support a steel
platform which in turn supports the polycarbonate panels. This internal balance of high
forces between the tension rings and the
compression ring provides the stiffness to
the roof which permits the roof to resist snow
and wind loads. The outer roof of the Foyer
consists of structural steel trusses supporting
polycarbonate panels.The faade will consist
of a structural steel framework supporting
stainless steel mesh cladding.

01

02 roof plan
03 elevation
04 section

stainless steel mesh facade

polycarbonate

04

membrane

02

volgograd stadium

01 general render view

290 m

45 m

Height
Surface
Seats

PTFE, polycarbonate,
stainless steel mesh,
structural steel
45 m
55.000 m2
45.015

290 m

Technical data
Material

Volgograd - Russia
Special steel structure
Arena Project Institute
Full design
Arena Project Institute

03

a facade top beam

b compression ring

c upper tension ring

d lower tension ring

n
o

e cross cables

01

l
g

b
a
e

c
d

02

03

a steel cantilever
b upper tension ring
a
m

d steel arch

c lower tension ring

e upper radial cable
f lower radial cable

g vertical structural element

h foyer beam & cables

i compression ring
l concrete column
m facade top beam
n vertical facade steel element

o oblique facade steel lement

p facade basament
q catwalk
r bleachers

01 FEM analysis - steel stress

02 FEM analysis - membrane stress

03 roof scheme - isometric view

r

04 steel structure - render view

05 steel structure - render view

05

06

06 steel structure - section

04

02

03

01

01 facade main structure

02 detail - render view
03 detail - front view
04 elevation
05 detail - pin connection - section
04

05

01 typical membrane panel - isometric view

02 typical membrane connection radial cable plan view and sectionn
03 clamping detail
04 corner connection to compression ring
(without the clousure flap) - render view
05 corner connection to compression ring
(without the clousure flap) - paln view and section
01

04

a - main membrane
b - clamping element
c - ss strap for clamping element
d - radial cable
e - aluminium clamping element
f - ss bolt

c
02

03

05

a - policarbonate transparent

a - gutter

b - polycarbonate bright blue - ral 5015

b - polycarbonate panel

c - gutter

c - aluminium profile

d - fabric

d - closure aluminium profile

03
a
c

b
a

a
04

01

01 polycarbonate - plan view

02 materials layout - render view
03 polycarbonate - closure detail
04 polycarbonate - cross section
05 polycarbonate - longitudinal section

02

05

a - cable outside the mesh

b - cable inside the mesh
c - stainless steel mesh

b
a

03

01
a - spring for tensioning

b - cable
c - swaged fitting with thread

b
a

01 facade steel mesh - front view

02 facade steel mesh - clamping detail
03 facade steel mesh - cladding and clamping detail

04 facade steel mesh - cladding and clamping detail

05 facade steel mesh - section

02

04

05

Steel, stainless steel

Variable (35/50 m)
62.000 m2

01

02

01 site view - construction

02 site view - construction
03 plan view
04 frontal view

15

49 m

Lavizan aviary is located northeast of Tehran.

The structure will provide an enclosure for
aquatic birds. It is located in a scenic area
and the 62,000 m2 area enclosed includes a
small lake with tributary streams.
The aquatic birds aviary is a cable net
structure, made up of a 2x2 meter grid for
the main cables and a stainless steel mesh
with 2525 mm openings. the cable net is
supported by large steel masts.
The double high point shape is selected for
this structure, which is the most stable form
for such large span, so in addition to its
aesthetic beauty it is also economically justifiable.

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface

Lavizan - Tehran - Iran

Cable structure
Diba Architecture
Design and production
Diba Architecture

40

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

400 m
03

bird garden

04

01 FEM analysis - cable net displacements

02 3D moderl
03 CFD analysis - wind velocity vectors
04 CFD analysis - wind velocity streaml ine
05 installation cables - section
06 installation cables - section
07 installation - ring lifted

01

02

P
Ic

i
c
03

35 m

04

05

06

07

03

01

04

02

01 FEM analysis - main mast steel stress

02 main mast - detail
03 typical column - detail
04 FEM analysis - typical column
05 FEM analysis - main mast top ring
06 main masts - construction
05

06

07 typical column - base plate detail

07

a - border cables clamping

b - top mast cables clamping

a
b
d

c - valley cables clamping

d - mesh cables clamping

01

02

03
c
a - main cable
b - cable net
c - steel net

01 clamping - navigator
02 clamping - render view
03 clamping - valley cables
04 clamping - mesh cables
05 cable mesh detail on flat areas

04

05

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work

Doha - Qatar
Cable steel structure
DAR
Full design

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface
Seats

PTFE membrane/steel
100 m
44.000 m2
50.000

01

This project is one of the FIFA world cup

stadiums for 2022 in Qatar. This existing west
stand roof for this stadium was constructed in
2005. It will be partially demolished (the membrane and cables will be removed) and the
steel compression rings and support structure
will remain. New compression rings (upper
and lower) will be built on the east side connecting to a common foundation with the west
side compression rings. a new saddle shaped
tensioned cable roof will be constructed to
support a PTFE membrane roof that will cover
the entire stadium. A single tension ring will
be connected with radial cables to the lower
compression ring and with hanging cables to
the upper compression ring.
Construction is planned to start in late 2014.

260 m

01 render view
02 isometric view
03 plan view
02

khalifa stadium

03

270 m

01

02

03

04

i
c

a
a upper compression ring
b lower compression ring
c column
d column anchor
e tension ring

01 steel structure - general view

02 steel structure - stress analysis

03 membrane - stress analysis

04 CFD analysis - wind velocity stream line
05 steel structure - render view

P
Ic

05

06

01

02

04

03

01 anchor detail - isometric view

02 anchor detail - front view
03 anchor detail - section
04 FEM analysis - displacement
05 cables connection - plan view
06 cables connection - render view

05

06

01 typical tension ring connection - plan view

02 radial cable - typical section
03 stadium render view
04 isometric view

01

02

02

03

04

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface
Seats

Stuttgart - Germany
Cables structure
Taiyo Europe
Design and production
Schlaich Bergermann
und partner gmbh
stuttgart

PVC membrane
steel, cables
47 m
6.000m2
60450

01

01 view - construction
02 plan view
03 section

47 m

This project consists of an extension to an

existing PVC roof. The new section of PVC
roof cantilevers from the old roof and provides
coverage to new seating areas added below.
There was sufficient reserve in the original design to permit the additional load of the new
extension. Flying masts were affixed to the
existing ring cable nodes and braced through
radial cables to the existing upper compression ring. A new ring cable supports the new
edge of the fabric.

111,4 m

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

01

stuttgart
mercedes benz arena

178,6 m

03

01

02

03

04

i
c

01 FEM analysis - membrane stress

03 FEM analysis - membrane stress
03 FEM analysis - membrane deflection
04 typical section
05 membrane . main section
06 3D model

05

P
Ic

06

01

02

03

04

01 typical arch - section

02 arch detail - section
03 arches - construction
04 typical clamping detail
07

05 FEM analysis - aluminium

square pipe profile stress
06 plate detail - construction
05

07 plate - isometric view

06

b
c

a- panel type A
b- panel type B
c- panel type C
01

02

03

01 panel plan view

02 panels installation - top view
03 typical panel - isometric view
04 typical corner detail
05 panels installation - top view

04

05

Milan - Italy
Cable structure
Taiyo Europe
Design and production
Herzog - De Meuron

Technical data
Material
Surface

PVC, ETFE, steel

82.200 m2

This tensile structure consists of fabric shade

and rain protection for the main aisles for
the World Expo in Milan scheduled for 2015.
The main thoroughfare is 35m wide and 1
kilometer long. The structure consists of a
suspension bridge style with upper and lower
cables connected by tensioned tie cables.
The upper and lower cables are connected to
the masts on each side and the masts are in
turn supported by tie-back cables connected
to concrete foundations. Steel strut elements
span between the adjacent lower cables and
also between the adjacent upper cables.
This design provides a very stable structure
which supports the PVC membrane cladding.
Smaller structures of ETFE cladding are
provided for some secondary structures.

01

01 construction
02 masterplan

245 m

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

1056 m
02

milan expo 2015

P
Ic

01

i
c
03

04

a
f
02

06

01 steel structure - stress result

global displacement
02 membrane mockup - vertical displacements
03 sloped columns - construction
04 steel structure - construction
05 membrane mockup - level curves
06 3D model
05

07 typical section

07
a - upper cable
b - lower cable
c - column
d - sloped column
e - steel rods
f - hangers

01

02

03

04

07

08

05

01 base plate - FEM analysis

02 base plate - contruction
03 top plate - FEM analysis
04 top plate - render
05 base plate - detail
06 base plate - render
07 top plate - detail
06

08 top plate - contruction

PVC
01

03

02

b
a
Reinforcement
PVC FR 100 Type II
a - CLAMP EN 1.4302
b - cable edge
c - keder edge type 1

06

04

Cable edge
01 decumano - 3D model
02 typical corner detail - plan view
03 membrane - bottom view
04 corner detail - contruction
05 membrane - view
06 membrane - bottom view
07 typical clamping detail - section

05

CHS 193.7

P
D
R
d

Computational Fluid Dynamics is the branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical
methods and algorithms to solve and analyze
problems that involve fluid flows. CFD allows
the building of computational models which
simulate real-world physical properties and
output the prediction of fluid dynamics and
related physical phenomena.

CFD - analysis

P
Ic
01

02

03
ground analysis
01 area - picture
02 terrain topography modelling
03 wind velocity profile
static wind action alasys
04 building - isometric view
05 wind velocity stream line
06 model computational mesh

04

07 wind pressure distribution

dynamic wind action analysis
08 building - isometric view
09 wind velocity stream surface

05

06

08

07

09

10 wind velocity profile

10

i
c

01

02

03

04

01 natural ventilation inside a building

02 effect of distance between isolated houses
03 natural ventilation in a double skin facade
04 natural heating analysis
06

08

05 study of natural heating use in architecture - isometric view

06 study of natural heating use in architecture - typical section
07 double skin facade - typical detail
08 simulation of the heating transmittance in to the building
09 analysis of the heating transmittance in to the building
10 natural ventilation inside a building - isometric view

05

07

09

10

01

04

02

05

01 study of pollutants propagation

02 study of pollutants propagation
03 cfd explosion simulation
04 analysis of fire, heat and smoke propagation inside an
underground car park
05 determination of the optimal number of openings for
incoming air and jet fans to avoid recirculation regions and
increase smoke extraction rate
06 simulation of wind velocity stream line on a wind power
plant
07 topographic analysis for installation of a wind turbine
08 wind velocity stream line of a turbine analysis

03
06

07

08

General data
Location
Type of structure
Client
Scope of our work
Architectural design

STRUCTURAL VERIFICATION

XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX

OF A TURNING PLATFORM
(MILLENNIUM TOWER NIGERIA)
01 platform structure with
primary structure
02 structure
03 deformation, distributed load
04 platform structure with
wood system
05 Von Mises solicitation

Technical data
Material
Height
Surface
Inner
Outer

XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX

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mechanical

01

02

03

04

05

01 retractable roof - detail

02 retractable roof - engine detail
03 engine - isometric views
04 engine - assembly

02

P
Ic

i
c
01

Project sample Doha International stadium

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03

04