The impressive stadium-style roof structure that is recognised as a unique feature of the recently completed Bridgton Sports Pavilion in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, was designed and constructed by consultancy firm SMEC. The R11 million pavilion, which officially opened in mid-2013, has seating capacity for 1 220 spectators and its roof structure is a unique characteristic seldom seen outside of South Africa's city stadia. The structure is a triangular tapering tubular truss system that cantilevers off the concrete frame. This was chosen because of the self-stabilising triangular shape of the trusses which are prone to force reversal in wind conditions, generating both tension and compression forces on the steel members. Circular hollow sections were identified as the most suitable compression steel members, due to the symmetry of the section and the highest radius of gyration for its mass.
展开▼
