Dorton Arena was completed in 1952 and is the first structure to be primarily supported by cables. This feat of civil engineering was visualized by Matthew Nowicki. The entire structure is unique and efficient, and an important component of Dorton Arena is the stability of the roof. The objective of this paper is to address the engineering components of Dorton Arena’s roof that bring the structure to equilibrium. The rest of this paper will focus on the roof’s design, use of tension, attention to displacement of steel, use of guy cables, and integration with the rest of the structure to allow Dorton Arena to find stability in a way that was not previously considered.
Roof Design
The design of the roof is essential to the success …show more content…
The roof was also originally intended to be fabric. However, the material was not available at the time and corrugated steel sheets were used instead with insulation and water-resistant resources used above the sheets (2). Choosing to use corrugated steel sheets on the roof impacts the durability of Dorton Arena. The sheets cannot provide much weight but are be able to sustain exterior weight (3). The steel sheets’ resistance comes from the dimensions of its profiles.
Insulation and waterproofing are also crucial. The waterproof exterior must be properly maintained or else quick deterioration could occur and damage the entire structure (3). The insulation used between the steel sheets and waterproof material allow heat to remain inside the arena. The waterproof coating also aids in preventing water from entering Dorton Arena, whether from initial rain or from collected rainwater that may remain on the roof (3). The saddle-like shape also provides assistance by guiding rain off the …show more content…
While the roof is in tension, the arches that the steel cables are connected to are in compression. Having these opposing components directly joining each other allows for simple stability. Equilibrium is consistent throughout the structure. The internal forces transfer to the arches’ intersections and then to the concrete abutments that are placed beneath the Earth’s surface (2). More cables are included underground and connected to each arch to provide added security for the structure’s stability. Using steel cables coupled with concrete arches and abutments create efficient equilibrium by using steel, which works well in tension, and concrete, which works well in