OT: German Ice Rink

[john]

I wonder what factor is built into roof designs for the wrong kind of snow? Is someone appointed to monitor it? Has the weight of additional Air Conditioning Units been factored into the loadings?

[nightjar]

When that one was built, normal practice was at least 2.5 times the anticipated maximum load. I think that the investigation will concentrate more on whether the roof structure was still as strong as originally designed.

Colin Bignell

[dave]

Dunno but there *was* a rubber factory in South Wales which had a remarkable "eggshell" roof design. I don't recall the multiplier factor but it was very high - for the weight of snow it could take. It was afaik the prototype for the Sydney Opera House. Of course the local coucil had it demolished because it was an eyesore (which it eventually was), because they let it become one. Now all that's there is a supermarket. British heritage eh - pah!

[John Rumm]

I found the book "Why buildings fall down" quite interesting on this - it has quite a bit to say on stadia and dome roof failures. Apparently it is not that uncomon under heavy snow or other loadings beyond the anticipated:

[john]

There was also the DeGaul airport roof collapse, when it was still half finished. And there wasn't any snow at the time.

john

[mcbrien410]

Tehran Airport roof collapsed early 1975 due to snow. Lucky I drove there via Turkey.

Chris.