Page 22 - Engineering Career Guide for UT Austin

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22
A MARVEL OF ENGIN
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
(as well as where Taylor Swift’s con-
cert movie was filmed), 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 So-Fi Stadium is its
colossal 70,000-ton curved roof, an
innovation that almost defies belief.
Constructed from a single-layer ETFE
(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) 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 spe-
cialized film that reduces solar glare
and heat, ensuring a comfortable envi-
ronment for both players and specta-
tors. The canopy becomes a giant, illu-
minated 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
So-Fi Stadium sets a new benchmark in wow-factor, practicality, and sustainability.
features
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,
COURTESY SO-FI STADIUM