Translucent Tenara fabric roof to play with natural light

01 May '09

5 min read

Retractable Roof on Centre Court - how it works
• Type of folding fabric concertina, which allows the roof to be folded into a very compressed area when not in use.
• Fabric (Tenara)Architectural Fabric is 100% fluoropolymer with a backbone of high tenacity PTFE yarn, is a special waterproof structural material that is very strong, highly flexible and at 40% translucent is not transparent for players/spectators but will let in natural light. Around 5,200 square metres of fabric used.
• Key element of the design allows natural light to reach the grass – brought about by re-contouring the fixed roof
• An airflow system removes condensation from within the bowl to provide good court surface conditions conducive to the playing of tennis when the roof is closed.
• Roof is divided into two sections, with a total of nine bays of tensioned fabric - four bays in one section and five in the other. Each of the nine bays of tensioned fabric is clamped on either side to prismatic steel trusses. There are 10 trusses spanning approximately 77 metres across the court. Ends of each truss are supported by a set of bogies that move along parallel tracks positioned at either side within the new 'fixed' roof.
• In preparation for closing the roof, one section is parked in its folded state at the north end of the court while the other is parked at the south end.
• The coordinated electro mechanical movement moves the trusses apart and, at the same time, unfolds and stretches out the fabric between the trusses over the court until the two sections meet in an overlapping seam above the middle of the court.
• The arch shape to the tops of the trusses helps the structure to withstand their own dead weight and loading from elements such as snow and wind when the roof is stretched and closed over the court.
• The roof has been designed to close in a maximum of 10 minutes. If the roof is being closed for rain, court covers will protect the grass in the usual way while closure is in progress.
• After the roof has been closed, play can resume after a period of around 30 minutes, depending on climatic conditions.

Additional Information
The new Centre Court roof comprises two distinct roof forms: the main fixed roof to the perimeter of the Court which is..

For more detials click here.

Capita Symonds Ltd

More Textiles News - United Kingdom...