Construction started on 24thDec, 2003 with a grand breaking ceremony. Within a few months pouring of concrete foundations began.Earthquake resistanceof Beijing National stadium.As China is surrounded by some of the deadliest fault lines, the stadium had to be earthquake proof. The building structure of Beijing Olympics stadium had to pass vigorous seismic tests. J. Parrish was given the responsibility ofmaking the Bird's nest earthquake proof. The immediate problem was that the stadium was so large that it would not shake uniformly altogether with the same frequency.J. Parrishcame up withe solution to construct concrete bow in parts, then surround it with metal bow.Dividing the concrete building structure of Beijing stadium into 6 parts was the key to safety. Being isolated, each part could move flexibly and independently in earthquake so that it could absorb the energy by its free movement, instead of being broken into pieces by this energy. Then it was to be surrounded by metal bow. So that, if in the worst case concrete fails,the steel would be unaffected and would support the structure frame. The structural guidelines of the Olympiccommittee were also to be met accordingly i.e. the stadium should have giant screens, shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and above all spectacularviews of the competitions. Every seat was designed to be as close to the action as possible. No seat was more than 142m from thecenter of the stadium.
With the design phase completed, work on the concrete bow structure of the stadium began. By May 2003, construction was on the way.The project faced new problem when the newly constructed airport terminal in France, havingthe same un-supported roof structure as in Beijing stadium, fell to ground without any warning. The roof of the terminal was designed without any interior supports, sames as the design of the bird's nest. The work on the project came to a halt as Chinese officials reviewed the safety of thestadium. The officials reduced the number of seats, canceled the roof design and recommended a new cheaper and safer design.
After 5 months the project resumed. The architects had to redesign the stadium as an open air. It made the stadium cheaper and more safer.Another problem was of the time, too much time had been wasted in the the reviewal process, now more workers were required. Also winter wasapproaching in which water in concrete could freeze, causing strength reduction problems. 7000workers were brought in, who would work in 3 shifts. With increased speed of about 1 floor a week, the workers finished concreting in 5 months. The main structure was now ready but the giant steel structure was yet to be made, which made it looklike a Bird's nest.On 28th October, 2005, 1st steel pillar was hoisted. For the rest of the structural design, the architects' plans called for massive steel beams that would twist and turn around the 300m wide stadium. The pattern needed to look random tocreate the illusion of the Bird's nest. But at the same time, the beams had to support each otherand carry the heavy loadssafely so that this artistic vision could stand on its own.
With the design phase completed, work on the concrete bow structure of the stadium began. By May 2003, construction was on the way.The project faced new problem when the newly constructed airport terminal in France, havingthe same un-supported roof structure as in Beijing stadium, fell to ground without any warning. The roof of the terminal was designed without any interior supports, sames as the design of the bird's nest. The work on the project came to a halt as Chinese officials reviewed the safety of thestadium. The officials reduced the number of seats, canceled the roof design and recommended a new cheaper and safer design.
After 5 months the project resumed. The architects had to redesign the stadium as an open air. It made the stadium cheaper and more safer.Another problem was of the time, too much time had been wasted in the the reviewal process, now more workers were required. Also winter wasapproaching in which water in concrete could freeze, causing strength reduction problems. 7000workers were brought in, who would work in 3 shifts. With increased speed of about 1 floor a week, the workers finished concreting in 5 months. The main structure was now ready but the giant steel structure was yet to be made, which made it looklike a Bird's nest.On 28th October, 2005, 1st steel pillar was hoisted. For the rest of the structural design, the architects' plans called for massive steel beams that would twist and turn around the 300m wide stadium. The pattern needed to look random tocreate the illusion of the Bird's nest. But at the same time, the beams had to support each otherand carry the heavy loadssafely so that this artistic vision could stand on its own.
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