Page 22 - Engineering Career Guide, 4th Edition

features
A MARVEL OF ENGI
So-Fi Stadium sets a new benchmark in wow-factor, practicality, and sustainability.
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Inglewood, California, the SoFi Stadium is a true masterpiece of contemporary engineering and ar- chitectural brilliance. Besides being the home turf for the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, this iconic structure is a captivating showcase of cutting-edge technology designed to provide an unparalleled experience for sports enthusiasts
and visitors.
Central to the marvel of engineer- ing that is SoFi Stadium is its colossal 70,000-ton curved roof, an innovation that almost defies belief. Constructed from a single-layer ETFE (ethylene tet- rafluoroethylene) plastic material, the space-age roof allows natural light to
flood in while offering protection from the elements. The ETFE panels are equipped with a specialized film that reduces solar glare and heat, ensuring a comfortable environment for both players and spectators. The canopy becomes a giant, illuminated screen at night, thanks to a network of LED lights that can project images and video.
The roof can even air live TV. In November 2020, the Rams showed their Monday Night Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the stadium’s canopy, offering an aerial show to airplane passengers
on their final approach to nearby LAX.
Anticipating California’s seismic activity, the stadium’s foundation
incorporates a staggering 16 million pounds of reinforcing steel and 13,000 cubic yards of concrete, engineered to withstand even the most potent earth- quakes. This advanced structural de- sign underscores the priority placed on safety and security.
Sustainability is at the core of
the SoFi Stadium’s ethos, evident through various innovative features. The exterior landscaping showcases drought-resistant flora, reducing water consumption by 40% compared to tra- ditional landscapes. Embracing eco- friendliness, the stadium boasts one of the most expansive solar panel instal- lations in the sports arena, harnessing ample energy from the sun. Impres- sively, rainwater is harvested, filtered,
22 START-ENGINEERING.COM COURTESY SO-FI STADIUM
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