The structural form of the Beijing National Stadium (The ‘Bird’s Nest’) is unusual and iconic. This paper describes the rational behind its framing solution, the types of analysis adopted and the loading conditions considered, Given its complex geometric form, issues of fabrication and buildability were especially difficult and are described. Theoretical design of the more complex joints was verified by FEA and back up model load testing. An explanation is given of the construction technique.
Zhong Fan, PhD, MIStructE
Deputy Chief Engineer, China Architecture Design and Research Group, Beijing, China