Engineering Marvel : National Stadium a.k.a. “Bird’s Nest” - TopicsExpress

Engineering Marvel : National Stadium a.k.a. “Bird’s Nest” (Beijing, China) Record it breaks: World’s largest steel structure Nicknamed the Bird’s Nest for its intricate shape and lattice-like design, this astonishing structure looks more like a public work of art than an Olympic stadium. Designed by the Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, the Bird’s Nest was built for the 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympics and seats 80,000 people. The elaborate design incorporates Chinese symbols and mythology. Consisting of about 26 miles of unwrapped steel, the stadium is made up of two independent frames that are set 50 feet apart—an inner concrete red bowl for seating and an outer steel frame weighing 42,000 tons. The original design called for a retractable roof. That was later removed from the plans so the structure could more easily meet seismic requirements and also for budgetary reasons. This recent engineering wonder is one of the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly stadiums in the world. During the winter, underground geothermal pipes heat the indoor part of the stadium. Underground cisterns collect and store rainwater for irrigation and for use in restrooms.