Dynamic characteristics of a semi-rigid hanging roof structure composed of glulams and steel plate

• Published in: Engineering structures Vol. 21; no. 8; pp. 770 - 785
• Main Authors: Ban, Shigeru, Motohashi, Shohei, Yoshida, Arata, Tsubota, Haruji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.1999
• Subjects: composite beam; dynamic behavior; dynamic wind load; glulam and steel plate; hanging roof; glulam and steel plate; hanging roof; dynamic wind load; dynamic behavior; composite beam
• ISSN: 0141-0296; 1873-7323
• DOI: 10.1016/S0141-0296(98)00030-3

The Nagano Olympic Memorial Arena, located in Nagano City, Japan, is where the 18th winter Olympic games will be held in 1998. It is one of the world's largest speed skating arenas, covering an 80 m×216 m free space containing a 400 m speed skate oval and seating for 10,000 spectators. One of the main features of the structure is its semi-rigid hanging roof spanning 80 m. Each hanging member is composed of two glulams sandwiching a steel plate. Hanging structures generally incorporate bracing members to increase roof stability and to resist wind up-lift and lateral load. This structure instead utilizes the bending stiffness of the glulams and the in-plane stiffness of plywood panels attached to roofing members. However, few studies have been carried out to evaluate the dynamic structural characteristics of this kind of structure. This paper describes experimental and analytical investigations conducted to verify this structure's wind-resistant design and confirm its structural safety against strong wind load.