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PHOENICS User Conference 2004PHOENICS User Conference 2004

“Using CFD for Sports Arena

and Stadia Design”

Eric Jal

Connell Wagner, Melbourne, Australia

3-5 May 2004 - Melbourne, Australia

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Occupancy issues in sports stadia and leisure complexes becoming paramount

Increasingly common to use CFD in the design process to assess:-• natural ventilation (comfort)• mechanical ventilation• pitch ventilation• exhaust discharge• fire safety

IntroductionIntroduction

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PHOENICS CFD code has been usedTECPLOT used for results visualisationSeveral case studies will be presented:-

• Telstra Dome - Melbourne, Australia• Lang Park - Brisbane, Australia• MCG - Melbourne, Australia• Wembley Stadium - London, UK• MSAC Extension - Melbourne, Australia• Oasis Arena - Sydney, Australia• Casey Aquatic Centre - Melbourne, Australia

Project Case StudiesProject Case Studies

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Telstra Dome - Melbourne, Australia

Case Study - Telstra DomeCase Study - Telstra Dome

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Located within the Melbourne Docklands urban re-development precinct

Designed and built within 2½ yearsUsed for AFL/soccer/rugby

cricket and concert events Seating capacity of 52,000

including a movable lower stand tier of 12,500 seats

A 167m by 132m retractable pitch roof (can open & close in under 10 minutes)

Telstra Dome - BackgroundTelstra Dome - Background

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When roof is closed it becomes a fully enclosed all weather “indoor” facility

Occupancy comfort and life safety needs consideration

Other similar stadia normally include mechanical ventilation

Concerns about large capital costs and ongoing energy consumption led to a design study for justifying an effective passive (natural) ventilation solution

Telstra Dome - Design ScopeTelstra Dome - Design Scope

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Natural Ventilation : Full Stadium - No Wind (35oC Day) - Roof Closed

Telstra Dome - Design Analysis Telstra Dome - Design Analysis

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Fire Safety : 15MW Pitch Fire - Roof Closed

Telstra Dome - Design Analysis Telstra Dome - Design Analysis

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Location & spacing of roof vents optimisedArchitectural design of roof vents and

facade openings promote air movement which enhances occupant comfort for a wide range of environmental conditions

Temperature rises around bowl arena not deemed excessive (within 5oC) assuming the patrons are suitably attired consistent for a naturally ventilated facility

Life safety tenability criterion also satisfied

Telstra Dome - Analysis Telstra Dome - Analysis SummarySummary

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Lang Park Stadium - Brisbane, Australia

Case Study - Lang ParkCase Study - Lang Park

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Recently redeveloped for increased seating capacity

Designed to be capable in the future of incorporating a retractable pitch roof

CFD modelling was conducted to determine natural ventilation openings necessary to provide spectator comfort

Scenarios simulated for different environmental conditions for both an open stadium and with a pitch roof

Lang Park - Design ScopeLang Park - Design Scope

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Natural Ventilation : Full Stadium - No Wind (32oC Day) - No Roof

Lang Park - Design Analysis Lang Park - Design Analysis

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Wembley Stadium - London, UK

Case Study - Wembley StadiumCase Study - Wembley Stadium

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Currently in the process of being upgraded and redeveloped

Engaged in fire engineering design review to address issues associated with the Building Regulation compliance

CFD modelling was conducted for fire scenarios within the concourse atrium

Scenarios also performed for assessing mechanical smoke extraction system requirements within service “ring road”

Wembley Stadium - Design Wembley Stadium - Design ScopeScope

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Fire Safety : 3MW Concourse Atrium Fire

Wembley Stadium - Design Wembley Stadium - Design Analysis Analysis

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Fire Safety : 20MW Underground Service “Ring Road” Fire

Wembley Stadium - Design Wembley Stadium - Design Analysis Analysis

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MSAC Extension - Melbourne, Australia

Case Study - MSAC ExtensionCase Study - MSAC Extension

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Venue is to be upgraded in readiness for 2006 Commonwealth Games

Outdoor pool arena is being proposed with lightweight roof and open sides

For energy impost and sustainable development considerations natural ventilation is postulated

CFD modelling undertaken in order to demonstrate the viability of design

MSAC Extension - Design ScopeMSAC Extension - Design Scope

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Natural Ventilation : No Wind (15oC Day)

MSAC Extension - Design Analysis MSAC Extension - Design Analysis

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Casey Aquatic Centre - Melbourne, Australia

Case Study - Casey Aquatic Case Study - Casey Aquatic CentreCentre

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Ventilation within an indoor pool needs to ensure sufficient “fresh” air requirements

Necessary for removal of water vapour (RH control) and chemical vapours

Different mechanical ventilation systems configurations were analysed with CFD

Establish air movement distribution and show undesirable stagnant flow regions

Casey Aquatic Centre - Design Casey Aquatic Centre - Design ScopeScope

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Mechanical Ventilation : “Push-Pull” System

Casey Aquatic - Design AnalysisCasey Aquatic - Design Analysis

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Oasis Arena - Sydney, Australia

Case Study - Oasis ArenaCase Study - Oasis Arena

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Performance based approach used to satisfy BCA fire design requirements

CFD modelling was conducted to ensure indefinite tenability conditions are maintained within concourse/vomitories

Provide assistance in optimising the smoke extraction system in terms of size and capacity

Consequently gives indication of expected capital cost outlay of mechanical systems

Oasis Arena - Design ScopeOasis Arena - Design Scope

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Fire Safety Analysis : 10MW Stage Fire

Oasis Arena - Design AnalysisOasis Arena - Design Analysis

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MCG Redevelopment - Melbourne, Australia

Case Study - MCG Case Study - MCG RedevelopmentRedevelopment

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Northern side of stadium currently being redeveloped for utilisation at the 2006 Commonwealth Games

Several CFD modelling studies done for:-• Ventilation (thermal comfort)• Plant room exhaust dispersion• Pitch ventilation• Fire life safety

Onus of design process to maximise ESD initiatives and optimise resource efficiency

MCG Redevelopment - Design MCG Redevelopment - Design ScopeScope

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Plant Room Exhaust : 4m/s Northerly Wind

MCG Redevelopment - Design MCG Redevelopment - Design AnalysisAnalysis

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Pitch Ventilation : 4m/s Northerly Wind

MCG Redevelopment - Design MCG Redevelopment - Design AnalysisAnalysis

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Project case studies have shown the use of CFD as an important part of the engineering design process of sports stadia/arenas

Issues relating to ventilation, occupancy comfort and life safety can be addressed

Facilitates ‘sustainable design technology’ solutions by avoiding/limiting mechanical ventilation energy usage as far as possible

Can be promoted as world’s ‘best practice’ and used as a benchmark for stadia design

Conclusions Conclusions

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ThankThank youyou!!

Presentation End Presentation End

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