Stroytransgaz starts to lift the cable-stayed roof at Volgograd Arena stadium

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JSC Stroytransgaz has started to lift the cable-stayed roof at the Volgograd Arena stadium that is being built for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. This is the first 45,000-seat stadium in Russia with such roof. 

The cable system is a structure resembling a bicycle wheel. It is located over the grandstands of the Volgograd Arena stadium, leaving the football pitch uncovered. The outer circle of the system is created by the stadium’s rigid compression ring. The inner circle is flexible and made from steel cables, forming two ring belts staying one above the other. The system circles are interconnected with radial cables. The total length of the cables used in the structure is 12 kilometers, they are made of high-strength steel with an ultimate stress of 1,570MPa. The structure weighs about 2,300 ton.

By now, the top level of the cable system has been lifted to 27 meters. There have been fitted 44 L-cantilevers, which are L-shaped steel structures 25m high connecting the top and bottom levels. After the top level cables are attached to the compression ring and hydraulic equipment is relocated, the whole cable-stay system will be lifted into the design position at the top elevation of 49.5m. Vertical stringers will then be installed between the levels and the cables will be interconnected using arch purlins. Then, the roof cover, a flexible membrane resistant to temperature drops, will be attached to the cable-stayed system and trusses over the lobby.

“Lifting of the cable-stayed structure is a very precise process,” says Sergey Kamin, Construction Director, “it is carried out using a hydraulic system comprising 88 jacks, 12 hydraulic oil stations and an oil line. The process is controlled using a special software and equipment, including control consoles, delivered from France for the installation period. The work is being supervised directly by specialists from the designer and cable-stayed system manufacturer.”

At the same time, installation of the floor-to-ceiling glass panels and hinged ventilated facade is on-going at Volgograd Arena. Continuing is the construction of the bypass pedestrian bridge and entrance lobbies, interior finishing of the stadium, installation of MEP systems and equipment, including elevators, as well as landscaping, particularly, installation of paving slabs and lighting towers.