FNB Stadium – Fifa World Cup 2010 (South Africa)

Finite element analysis of the Johannesburg Stadium roof joints.

Local modeling of the joints was carried out due to two reasons: the connections between the roof structure and the secondary beams were made in a direct manner often without stiffening plates (the profiles could behave like a membrane); within the highest stress zones plasticization could occur around the bolt hole.

These areas of highest stress are analyzed with special attention since it is essential to keep an eye on their extent, which should be minimal.

Two levels of analysis were performed for this objective: each node was initially studied with a linear elastic analysis for the zones of maximum stress a nonlinear plastic analysis was performed. An ‘additional analysis was performed to check the buckling of the profiles.