The Atlanta Falcons marked the completion of their new stadium’s retractable roof structure last week with a ceremony celebrating the installation of the last major structural steel truss for the roof. At this point about 17,000 tons of steel has been erected for the roof, according to project manager Darden & Company. Another 3,500 tons of steel will be added as the retractable roof is put in place, starting late this year and continuing next year.
Canam Steel (an AISC member and certified fabricator) is the steel fabricator for the oval-shaped roof, which will consist of eight radially organized interlocking panels that form a central overhead oculus. These movable panels will be supported by an extensive network of 99 steel trusses. The 14.5-acre roof is designed to open and close in seven to eight minutes with what architects have described as a “camera lens-like” effect. A 58-ft-tall video board will hang from the circumference of the roof opening, encircling the field.
The stadium, scheduled to open for the start of the 2017 football season, will seat 71,000 spectators. For more about the project, go to http://newstadium.atlantafalcons.com.