History of creation and reconstruction of the Grand Sports Arena of the Luzhniki stadium

Introduction. The paper presents the process of renovating the roof over the Grand Sports Arena (GSA) of the Luzhniki Stadium from its construction to the present day. It demonstrates the modifications in the roof over the GSA stands, including three reconstructions of the stadium, which were carried out for various reasons during the 65-year history of the stadium.

Aim. To describe the process and peculiarities of erecting the roof over the arena stands and creating a stadium that meets the requirements of the International Football Federation (FIFA) for stadiums hosting the opening and final matches of the FIFA World Cup.

Materials and methods. The study involved methods for creating a unique large-span steel roof of a dome type with the largest unsupported span (310 m) for structures of this class. The paper describes the process of designing and testing a large-size model and a specially made model in a wind tunnel to determine the snow and wind loads. The process of erecting the roof, assembling the outer support contour, and lifting it on the columns is shown in detail. The process of assembling the inner contour is described. Its perimeter accounts for about 600 m, and its weight is 4500 tf. After assembling, the inner contour was lifted to the design level at approximately 50 m within three days. After that, curved beams were installed between the outer support and inner contours with ring trusses in between. A translucent roof made of polycarbonate panels was installed on the dome frame for the first time in the construction practice of Russia. This was the second reconstruction of the roof. The first one was arranged for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. The third reconstruction of the roof was carried out to meet the strict requirements of FIFA. The reconstruction involved dismantling old stands and building new ones. The roof over the stands became 17 meters closer to the field, and its area was increased to protect the spectators from atmospheric precipitation. Measures were taken to ensure the bearing capacity of the existing large-span roof during the stadium renovation.

Results. The reconstruction of the Grand Sports Arena of the Luzhniki Stadium was developed designed and implemented. The reconstructed arena was recognized by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) as one of the best stadiums in the world and received “Elite” qualification.

Conclusion. The principles of reconstruction of a large-capacity stadium on the example of the renovated Grand Sports Arena of the Luzhniki Stadium can be used to meet the requirements of FIFA in other arenas with stands for at least 80,000 spectators.

1. SP 20.13330.2016. Loads and actions. Updated version of SNiP 2.01.07-85* (with Changes No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, No. 4) [ internet]. Available at: https://tk-expert.ru/uploads/files/docs/%D0%A1%D0%9F%20%D0%9D%D

2. %90%D0%93%D0%A0%D0%A3%D0%97%D0%9A%D0%98%20%D0%92%D0%9E%D0%97%D0%94%D0%95%D0%99%D0%A1%D0%A2%D0%92%D0%98%D0%AF%20%D0%90%D0%9A%D0%A2%D0%A3%D0%90%D0%9B%D0%98%D0%97%D0%98%D0%A0%D0%9E%D0%92%D0%90%D0%9D%D0%9D%D0%90%D0%AF%20%D0%A0%D0%95%D0%94%D0%90%D0%9A%D0%A6%D0%98%D0%AF%20%D0%A1%D0%9D%D0%98%D0%9F%2002.01.07-85%20%D0%A1%D0%9F%2020.13330.2016%202022-05-30.pdf (in Russian).

3. SP 16.13330.2017. Steel structures. Updated version of SNiP II-23-81* (with Changes No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5) [internet]. Available at: https://protect.gost.ru/document.aspx?control=7&baseC=101&RegNum=54&DocOnPageCount=100&page=1&id=217968 (in Russian).

4. SP 294. 1325800.2017. The construction of steel. Design rules [internet]. Available at: https://minstroyrf.gov.ru/upload/iblock/fff/konstruktsii-stalnye.pdf (in Russian).

5. <i>Aleshin V.V., Baranov D.S., Belikov Yu.M., Berklaid M.M., Bobryashov V.V., Bobryashov V.M. et al.</i> Covering of the Large Sports Arena of the Luzhniki Stadium (design, research and construction). Moscow: Forte Publ.; 1998. (In Russian).

6. <i>Farfel M.I., Gukova M.I., Konyashin D.Yu., Kuschenko A.E., Lyubarsky A.V.</i> Particular of the reconstruction of the Grand Arena of the stadium “Luzhniki” to the football World Cup in 2018. Vestnik NIC Stroitel’stvo = Bulletin of Science and Research Center of Construction. 2017;(3):74–92. (In Russian).

7. <i>Farfel M.I.</i> Ensuring trouble-free operation of the unique long-span covering of the Large Sports Arena of the Olympic stadium “Luzhniki”. Stroitel’naya mekhanika i raschet sooruzhenii = Structural Mechanics and Analysis of Constructions. 2012;(6):56–61. (In Russian).

8. <i>Mikulin V.B., Farfel M.I. et al.</i> Covering the Large sports arena of the Olympic Complex in Luzhniki. In: V.A. Koucherenko TSNIISK. 80 years old. Moscow: V.A. Koucherenko TSNIISK; 2007, pp. 46–55. (In Russian).

9. <i>Mikulin V.B., Khandzhi A.V</i>. Design and construction of mayor sports arena in Luzhniki. Moscow. In: Spatial structures in new and renovation projects of buildings and construction: Theory, investigations, design, erection: Proceedings: Intern. congr. ICSS-98, June 22–26, 1998. Moscow; 1998, pp. 113–114.

10. <i>Mikulin V.B., Popov N.A., Postnov V.A., Farfel M.I.</i> Calculation of the coverage of the Large sports arena of the Olympic complex “Luzhniki”. Seismostoikoe stroitel’stvo. Bezopasnost’ sooruzhenii = Earthquake engineering. Constructions safety. 2003;(6):38–42. (In Russian).

11. <i>Vedyakov I.I., Farfel M.I</i>. Scientific and technical support of design, manufacture, installation and operation during the reconstruction of Grand Sports Arena “Luzhniki” in Moscow to the football World Cup in 2018. Vestnik NIC Stroitel’stvo = Bulletin of Science and Research Center of Construction. 2019;22(3):27–41. (In Russian).

12. <i>Lebedeva I.V., Farfel M.I., Konyashin D.Yu., Berezin M.M</i>. Experimental study of snow load distribution on a shell of the Grand Sports Arena of Luzhniki Olympic Complex. Vestnik NIC Stroitel’stvo = Bulletin of Science and Research Center of Construction. 2022;35(4):40–61. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.37538/2224-9494-2022-4(35)-40-61