London Velodrome Roof Material

London 2012 velodrome the size of the roof circa.

London velodrome roof material.

The distinct velodrome roof shape gave it the nickname of the pringle. Completed in 2012 in london united kingdom. A further 2 500 seats are suspended in upper tiers within the curves of the venue s roof. Added to that the oda planners wanted an aluminium standing seam roof surface which is attractive and long lasting but rigid with large thermal movements.

This is reflected in a radical difference in budget 250m vs 95m but also in the technical solutions that were used. Its structural members and deck are lightweight comprising a tension cable net timber cassette panels and osb. Velodrome needed high levels of insulation of the roof. It also achieves elegance in its economy of means and materials its integration with the overall design its speed of erection and its low cost.

The roofs of the 2012 aquatics centre and velodrome are of a similar shape and size. This required some very careful thought about the detailing. The net itself is made up of pairs of 36 mm diameter. Up on the roof the perfection of the velodrome s design is manifest a grid like web of steel cables that run taut from dozens of attachment points on a perimeter frame of steel tubing.

Click here to read a detailed description of how the structure of the velodrome works. Cycling inspired the concept for the velodrome. From the outset a cable net structure. Separating the tiers of seating is a glass wall allowing views both in and out of the building.

However whereas the former contains 3 000 tonnes of steel the velodrome roof is held up with just 100 tonnes. Images by richard davies david poultney anthony charlton anthony palmer hopkins architects. The velodrome has a double curvature roof which helps to minimise volume and heating costs. The roof surface is made of 1090 timber cassettes.

The final solution is so efficient that the weight of the steel in the roof equates to an average of 30kg m 2 about 35 less than the next best comparable venue in the world. The hyperbolic paraboloid shape has been designed to reflect the geometry of the cycling track. 13 500m means that it governs the structural response of the whole building.