“Bird’s Nest” Olympic Stadium

VINCI Construction Grands Projets was one of the entities selected by the National Stadium Company (a consortium of Chinese concession-holders for the Stadium) for a technical assistance contract to build the Beijing National Stadium specifically for the 2008 Olympic Games. The project involved offering assistance to the project management team, particularly in the organisation of the building plan and the site. Our success in obtaining this contract is due in particular to our Stade de France credentials.

background

In 2002, the Chinese government organised a competition for the design of the future Olympic stadium. In April 2003, after the jury’s vote and the appreciation of the “Bird’s Nest” (because of its shape) designed by the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron (Pritzker prizewinner in 2001) was chosen as the best proposal for the future national stadium.
The dimensions of the stadium are gigantic: 333 m long, 294 m wide and 69 m high. It has a surface area of 258,000 m2 and not less than 42,000 tonnes of steel was required for its construction. The stadium was officially inaugurated on June 28, 2008 and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.

technical overview

This extraordinary structure required new methods to calculate and fabricate steel sections to reduce the weight of the structure. To lower construction costs, the designers eliminated the upper roof and enlarged its opening. In this way, the total weight of the structure could be reduced to 3,000 tonnes.
The interlaced steel structure covering the stadium gives it a “light” feel and a “bird’s nest” look. This stadium was designed and built to resist major earthquakes.
The building is set on 37 metres of piling capable of supporting the horizontal forces of the structure. The injection method (inserting concrete into the core of the piling) was employed to strengthen the ground around the building. Finally, the roof, weighing more than 11,000 tonnes, is supported by the building structure. It is one of the largest steel structures in the world. It is covered with a polymer membrane to enhance lighting in the stadium while minimising glare and shadow.

It was in this stadium that Usain Bolt beat the world records over 100 m (in 9.69 seconds) and 200 m (in 19.30 seconds).

IMPACT

Nicknamed the “Bird’s Nest” for its architecture, the stadium was the main venue for the 2008 summer Olympics and Paralympics. Located to the east of the Beijing National Aquatics Centre, the stadium has a seating capacity of 80,000 (and up to 91,000 during the Olympics) including 140 luxury suites. Today, it hosts various sports competitions and national and international cultural events.
The construction of a stadium not only facilitates hosting large sporting events, but also revitalises an economy, neighbourhood and city. A stadium is usually accompanied by additional facilities (cinemas, restaurants, hotels, business, sports halls, etc.). They add value to the new areas and integrate them into the city harmoniously through public transport links, which can also attract businesses.

Project participants

Client
National Stadium Company

Project management
Herzog & De Meuron/Arup/China Arch. Design Research Group

Key figures

Implementation dates
February  2004 to February 2007    

Metal framework
45,000 t

Concrete
30,000 t

Piling
1,000 u