DOMES AND OTHER ROOF STRUCTURES

VLADIMIR OPREA
THE RICHMOND OVAL

 The Richmond Oval was a signature structure for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and is a precedent-setting example
of advanced wood engineering and design. It features one of the world’s largest clear-span wood structures—6-acre
free-spanning wood roof roughly the size of four and a half football fields. The roof is made from composite wood-
steel arches that span approximately 330 feet and include hollow triangular cross-sections that conceal MEP services.
 Spanning the 42 feet between arches are prefabricated WoodWave Structural Panels consisting of ordinary 2×4″
lumber arranged geometrically to optimize both structural and acoustic efficiency. The design is economical and
provides a striking aesthetic for this high-profile facility. For the Games, the Oval housed a 400-meter speed skating
track with temporary capacity for approximately 8,000 guests.
THE SUPERIOR DOME

 At 536 ft. across, The Superior Dome has the largest diameter of any wooden dome in the world.

 The dome is an integral part of Northern Michigan University’s sports complex. The flexible space, with a retractable artificial turf, can be
reconfigured for football, volleyball, hockey, tennis, track and field, or a number of other sports. 
 Structurally, it is a geodesic dome – this means that it is a self-bracing framework of triangles. A main feature of a geodesic dome is that the
dome is built from a minimum of structural elements (in this case, 781 massive Douglas fir beams) to achieve the great strength of a dome.
 Although some of the decking is covered by acoustic panels, nearly every part of the wooden structure is visible, and it’s striking and lovely
to look at. 
 When no events are on the schedule, dome visitors are free to go pretty much wherever they please – you can run around like a maniac on the
artificial turf or climb the bleachers to get a closer look at the ceiling.  Locals often use the space for walking laps (many of them use the
circular exterior hallway as well). When required, the building can hold as many as 16,000 people. 
 In addition to the massive central space, the dome houses various exhibits, training facilities and offices, including those of the United States
Olympic Education Center.