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Experimental testing of the sports hall roof structure "Arena Zagreb"

Conference Paper · September 2011

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 EXPERIMENTAL TESTING OF THE SPORTS HALL ROOF STRUCTURE
"ARENA ZAGREB"

Ante MARENDIĆ, Rinaldo PAAR, Zdravko KAPOVIĆ, Gorana NOVAKOVIĆ, Krešimir

BABIĆ, Croatia

Abstract: "Arena Zagreb" sports hall which was built for the maintenance of 21st Handball
World Championships held in Zagreb in 2009 is the object of special importance. The roof
structure of the hall is nearly rectangular shaped ground plan dimensions of 143.0 x 103.6 m.
It consists of curved main steel girders suspended steel tie rods to the tops of the facade of
concrete beams in the east-west direction and secondary steel beams in a north-south
direction. Since this is a sports hall, where during sports events there is a large number of
people and considering it's particularly complex shape and design construction, the applicable
Croatian legislation for steel structures (HRN U. M1. 047 – OG 139/09) require an
experimental testing. With this testing, before obtaining a use permit, it is checked whether
the construction is technically correct and suitable to take the project anticipated loads.

In this paper a static load test of the roof main beams of "Arena Zagreb" with the application
of geodetic surveying methods will be presented. The most interesting test results obtained by
classical geodetic surveying methods, using modern robotic total stations, will be presented.

Key words: roof structure, experimental testing, deformation, robotic total station.

1. INTRODUCTION

The roof structure of the building "Arena Zagreb" consists of the main and secondary steel
girders. The main girders are suspended with steel tie rods to the tops of the facade of
concrete beams in the east-west direction and secondary steel beams in a north-south
direction. In the direction of the secondary beams, approximately in thirds of the range main
girders, two parallel spatial stabilization steel grids are designed. Their task is to equally
transfer designed roof load to the main roof girders. Since this is a sports hall where during
sports events there is a large number of people and considering it's particularly complex shape
and design construction, the applicable Croatian legislation for steel structures (HRN U. M1.
047 – OG 139/09) require an experimental testing.

Test program is compiled by the architect of supporting structure in cooperation with the
examiners from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Faculty of Geodesy, University of
Zagreb. The program has defined a test trial of the main roof girders with uniformly
distributed load on the movable part of the concrete panel (discrete in girders knots), which
amounts to 440 kN for a roof girder. It was decided that those roof girders are the most
sensitive and most representative part of the roof rack. It was planned to simultaneous testing
a group of 5 girders (in 5 phases) with a total of 2200 kN (220 t) of uniform load. Geodetic
measurements of displacements were predicted on five measurement points for each girder
(Fig. 1).
Also, with the testing program one phase (phase 6) with the unbalanced load on a pair of
girders in order to evaluate their behaviour during unbalanced load was planned.
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Ante MARENDIĆ, Rinaldo PAAR, Zdravko KAPOVIĆ, Gorana NOVAKOVIĆ, Krešimir BABIĆ
Experimental testing of the sports hall roof construction "Arena Zagreb"

INGEO 2011 – 5th International Conference on Engineering Surveying

Brijuni, Croatia, September 22-24, 2011
The designer calculated the theoretical (expected) size of the planned load phase movements
test, before the test program.

2. TESTING THE ROOF MAIN GIRDERS

Examination of the main girders of the roof, according to a defined test program, was
conducted by the staff of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Faculty of Geodesy, University
of Zagreb in the period from 16. March till 03. April. 2009. Scheme of the roof structure, with
the sites where the load was placed, and points at which the measurements were done, is
given in Fig. 1.

R1

R2
R3

Fig. 1: Plan of the roof structure with main girders, measuring and control points.

Testing of the main girders was conducted by platforms placed on 11 secondary nodes of the
main roof girders with hanging rack ("unimog"), on which the platform for applying the load
was placed (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2: Platforms with load at a particular load roofing scheme.

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Ante MARENDIĆ, Rinaldo PAAR, Zdravko KAPOVIĆ, Gorana NOVAKOVIĆ, Krešimir BABIĆ
Experimental testing of the sports hall roof construction "Arena Zagreb"

INGEO 2011 – 5th International Conference on Engineering Surveying

Brijuni, Croatia, September 22-24, 2011
Displacements were measured at 5 sites along each of the girders (Fig. 1). A more detailed
view of measurement points can be seen in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3: Girders with the scheme of measurement points.

The relative deformations were determined by LVDT sensors at locations of main girders and
in the middle of each main rope and some verticals and diagonals (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4: Points for the measurement of relative deformations.

Geodetic measurements were carried out on the "Arena Zagreb" roof (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5: The girders and racks on the "Arena Zagreb" roof.

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Ante MARENDIĆ, Rinaldo PAAR, Zdravko KAPOVIĆ, Gorana NOVAKOVIĆ, Krešimir BABIĆ
Experimental testing of the sports hall roof construction "Arena Zagreb"

INGEO 2011 – 5th International Conference on Engineering Surveying

Brijuni, Croatia, September 22-24, 2011
Vertical displacements were determined by trigonometric levelling method using the robotic
total station (Fig. 6) with high precision length measurements of ± 1 mm + 1 ppm, angle
measurements of 1" and with automated pointing function. Relative deformations were
measured with precision LVDT sensor with accuracy up to 1 micron.

Fig. 6: Total station Leica TPS1201 and LVDT sensor for measuring stress.

Instruments with automated pointing function – Automated Target Recognition (ATR) for
deformation and displacement measurement were used for the first time in year 1990 during
the loading test of the Bridge Lafranconi in Bratislava. Results from that testing were very
positive, and they confirmed that usage of instruments with high precision of length and angle
measuring and ATR function is highly recommendable for deformation and displacement
measuring in the future (Kopačik et al 1993). These recommendations were further confirmed
during loading test of the New Bridge over the Danube in Bratislava. Measurements results
showed that usage of high precision instruments with ATR function has many benefits. These
instruments allow automation of the measuring process; they achieve high speed and high
precision measurements (Hostinova et al 2008).

Considering the number and position of all measuring points, theoretical-expected minimum
and maximum displacements (Table 1) and previous above mentioned studies, it was decided
that trigonometric levelling method with the usage of robotic total station Leica TPS 1201
will be used for determination of vertical displacements and deformations during loading test.

Between control points – R1, R2, R3 (Fig. 1) relative height differences were determined, and
thus established the relative height system with origin in control point R1 which was assigned
with height H = 100.000 m. At each phase by robotic total station all control points were
observed, so that the instrument is positioned in a predetermined height system. Instrument
station was changing between the loading phases, because of a large number of measuring
points that has to be visible from instrument. Instrument was positioned freely – free station
method was used for each phase. The main condition for each free station was to see all
control points and all measuring points that have to be observed during particular loading
phase. Using automated pointing function – Automated Target Recognition (ATR) – all
measuring points were observed. To all measuring points length and vertical angle was
measured, height difference and eventually height of each measurement point was calculated.
From the height difference of an unloaded and loaded roof structure values of vertical
displacement were obtained, and with the differences before and after loading residual values-
permanent deformations were obtained.

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Ante MARENDIĆ, Rinaldo PAAR, Zdravko KAPOVIĆ, Gorana NOVAKOVIĆ, Krešimir BABIĆ
Experimental testing of the sports hall roof construction "Arena Zagreb"

INGEO 2011 – 5th International Conference on Engineering Surveying

Brijuni, Croatia, September 22-24, 2011
For the marking of measuring points and control points measure stamps were used with the
dimensions 40 x 40 mm and 60 x 60 mm (Fig. 7). Control points (R1, R2 and R3) were placed
outside the area of possible movements.

Control point Measuring point

Fig. 7: Stabilization of the control and measuring points.

3. TEST RESULTS

Detailed test results of all points of the main girders are presented in a complete geodetic
study (Kapović and Paar 2009).

As with other test objects (Kapović et al 2005, Kapović et al 2006) movements' values
obtained by examining the structure should be compared with data from a static calculation
(Medić 2009). In this way, testing of the computational model of the structure, which is very
important for designers, especially on such a large and complex structures, is tested. It is
expected that measured values will be in accordance with the theoretical, and that the residual
strains will be within allowed limits.

As the most representative value is the shift in the central node of the stabilization grid (point
3 on each girder), this value is extracted from all the tested girders and is shown in table 1. In
the same table the theoretical (expected) and the residual offset values and the percentage (%)
of residual displacement are presented. In construction practice, it is customary that the sign (-
) represents a downward shift. Figure 8 shows the theoretical and experimental (measured)
deflections for the third phase of the load.

Table 1: Maximum value of displacement of the main girders (intermediate node no. 3).
Theoretical Measured Measured Displacement
Load Girder
load load without load residuals
phase no.
(cm) (cm) (cm) (%)
10 -17,5 -8,2 -0,2 2,4
9 -17,3 -8,9 -0,1 1,1
1
8 -17,0 -9,0 -0,2 2,2
7 -15,8 -8,3 -0,1 1,2
6 -17,0 -9,7 -0,2 2,1
2
5 -17,6 -10,2 -0,2 2,0
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Ante MARENDIĆ, Rinaldo PAAR, Zdravko KAPOVIĆ, Gorana NOVAKOVIĆ, Krešimir BABIĆ
Experimental testing of the sports hall roof construction "Arena Zagreb"

INGEO 2011 – 5th International Conference on Engineering Surveying

Brijuni, Croatia, September 22-24, 2011
 4 -17,2 -9,8 -0,1 1,0
3 -16,9 -9,8 0,7 7,1
3 2 -17,5 -10,2 0,6 5,9
1 -16,7 -9,8 0,7 7,1
2` -17,2 -9,9 -0,6 6,1
4 3` -17,1 -10,3 -0,7 6,8
4` -17,4 -10,2 -0,9 8,8
5` -17,2 -10,0 -0,4 4,0
6` -17,1 -10,4 -0,5 4,8
7` -16,3 -10,6 -0,7 6,6
5
8` -18,1 -10,3 -0,5 4,8
9` -16,5 -8,9 -0,5 5,6
10´ -11,8 -6,7 -0,4 6,0

EXPERIMENTAL
THEORETICAL

Fig. 8: Comparison of numerical and experimental deflection

In Table 2 the maximum value of displacement at the unbalanced load carrier 1 and 2 are
given. Load 100/50% means an unbalanced load phase where one half of the carrier is loaded
with 100%, and the other half with 50% of the cargo.
Table 2: Unbalanced load (point 3)
100/50 % 100/50 %
Load Girder
theoretical measured
phase no.
(cm) (cm)
1 -8,4 -4,4
6
2` -9,0 -4,5

3.1 Relative deformations

Relative deformation occurs as a result of stress, and is defined as the ratio of change in the
body dimensions after the force in relation to the initial (original) dimensions of the body
before the force. Using the LVDT sensors for measuring the relative deformation in the places
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Ante MARENDIĆ, Rinaldo PAAR, Zdravko KAPOVIĆ, Gorana NOVAKOVIĆ, Krešimir BABIĆ
Experimental testing of the sports hall roof construction "Arena Zagreb"

INGEO 2011 – 5th International Conference on Engineering Surveying

Brijuni, Croatia, September 22-24, 2011
indicated in Figure 4, for a load test it can be determined the level of stress and levels of force
on a particular element. Thus, certain forces in the element values are compared with
calculating sizes. Continuous time record of relative deformation is shown in an example of
the fourth phase of the load (Fig. 9).

RELATIVE
DEFORMATIONS (%)

TIME

Fig. 9: Graphical representation of relative deformation for the fourth phase of the load (Duvnjak et al 2010).

4. CONCLUSION

Based on the load test results of the main girders, their analysis and comparison with the
corresponding theoretical values, it can be concluded that the results of measured
displacements, at the specified test load are within the boundaries and lower than the
corresponding theoretical (computational) values. After unloading the main carrier residual
displacements at all points are within the limits below 10% of the maximum measured
displacement at full load and comply with the requirements of the HRN U. M1. 047 (OG
139/09). The measured values of the relative deformations of the main roof rack girders are
also within expectations and consistent with the theoretical values. It is important to
emphasize that, after examination of the roof girders, it was revealed no defects that could
eventually threaten the safety or stability of the exploitation of the roof girders.

Therefore it can be concluded that the roof main bearing assemblies behave in accordance
with the project. Behaviour of the roof assembly and the roof is entirely in conformity with
the requirements of the HRN U. M1. 047 (OG 139/09) and application of technical
regulations for the inspection and testing of steel structures.

Modern geodetic instruments – robotic total stations allow high speed and high precision
measurements, with automation of measuring process. Using them geodetic methods
(trigonometric levelling) which exploitation for loading test was limited in the past, today can
be applied. Trigonometric levelling method was limited with the accuracy of estimated
vertical displacements and long measuring time. Using robotic total stations all limitations can
be reduced. Based on the results of "Arena Zagreb" roof structure load test, application of

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Ante MARENDIĆ, Rinaldo PAAR, Zdravko KAPOVIĆ, Gorana NOVAKOVIĆ, Krešimir BABIĆ
Experimental testing of the sports hall roof construction "Arena Zagreb"

INGEO 2011 – 5th International Conference on Engineering Surveying

Brijuni, Croatia, September 22-24, 2011
 trigonometric levelling method with robotic total station can be highly recommended for this
type of measurements.

Literature:

 Duvnjak, I., Rak, M., Damjanović, D. (2010): Pilot testing of the roof structures of
large sports facilities. Builder No. 10.
 Hostinova, A., Kyrinovič, P., Haličkova, J., Kopačik, A. (2008): Loading test of the
New Bridge over the Danube in Bratislava. Proceedings of the 4th International
conference on engineering surveying.
 Kapović, Z., Herceg, Lj., Krolo, J. (2005): Test loading of the Dubrovnik Bridge,
Allgemeine Vermessungs-Nachrichten. 130 (2005) , D1103; 258-262
 Kapović, Z., Paar, R., Marendić, A. (2006): Analysis of theoretical and measured
bridge deformations obtained by experimental tests, Proceedings of the 2nd Central
European Congress on Concrete Engineering.
 Kapović, Z., Paar, R. (2009): Report and the results of a test load of the main roof
girders of "Arena Zagreb" sports hall. Geodetic elaborate, Faculty of Geodesy,
University of Zagreb.
 Kopačik, A., Stanek, V., Svobodova, B., Plach, H., Fabiankowitsch, J. (1993):
Geodätische Mebverfahren bei der Belastungsprobe der "Donaubrücke der Jugend" in
Bratislava (Pressburg). Zeitschrift für Vermessungswesen und Photogrammetrie, 81,
8-16.
 Medić, B. (2009): Implementation plan for testing the steel roofing test load, Project
Office, Krajiška 10, Zagreb, 2009.
 Official Gazette (2009): Technical regulation for concrete structures. No. 139.

TS 5 – Actual tasks of engineering surveying 8/8

Ante MARENDIĆ, Rinaldo PAAR, Zdravko KAPOVIĆ, Gorana NOVAKOVIĆ, Krešimir BABIĆ
Experimental testing of the sports hall roof construction "Arena Zagreb"

INGEO 2011 – 5th International Conference on Engineering Surveying

Brijuni, Croatia, September 22-24, 2011

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