Structure Type: Stadium roof
Project Scope:
Project Size: 392,880 sqft
Material: Single layer ETFE
Location: Beijing, China
Completion Date: 2007
Market Segment: Sports Facilities
Owner:
General Contractor: CITIC Internationals Contracting Inc
Architect: Herzog & de Meuron, Basel
Structural Engineer: Arup
On August 8, 2008, National Stadium, also nicknamed “Bird’s Nest,” because of the shape of its structure, hosted the opening ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics. The stadium utilizes approximately 50,000 square meters of fluororesin ETFE film in the construction of its complex cable and tension structure. The product that was ordered is a high-performance fluororesin “Fluon® ETFE film” (tradename “AFLEX®” in Japan). Given its superior properties, such as heat, chemical, and weather resistance; anti-adhesion; excellent electrical characteristics; and transparency, the film has been used since its launch in 1975 in a wide range of fields, including electronics, aviation/space, photovoltaic cells, sound insulation bags, and greenhouses. In recent years, the Fluon® ETFE film has been increasingly used especially in Europe as a building material. ETFE film has several unique features that make it an ideal building material in the construction of stadiums, amphitheaters, and other event centers. ETFE film’s transparency allows for high light transmittance; it is lightweight, flexible, durable, and can be colored or even printed to help control heat.
