Chongqing Longxing Football Stadium: A Landmark ETFE Membrane Structure
Project Details
- Project Name: Chongqing Longxing Football Stadium
- Fabric Type: High-Performance ETFE Film (Fluoropolymer)
- Project Size: 100000sqm
- Surface Coating: Anti-Dust & Self-Cleaning Finish
- Tensile Strength: ≥ 50 MPa
- Location: ChongQing, China
- Warranty:30-50years
- Completion: 2022
Project Overview
The ETFE membrane stadium roof of the Chongqing Longxing Football Stadium stands as a pinnacle of modern architectural achievement. As the first professional football venue in Chongqing the Longxing Stadium has become a global benchmark for tensile membrane architecture. Featuring a signature ETFE film roof, this “Dragon”-inspired arena represents the pinnacle of modern sports infrastructure, blending high-tech materials with iconic cultural symbolism.
Why ETFE? The "Soft Glass" of Modern Engineering
The Longxing Stadium utilizes ETFE membrane—often referred to as “soft glass”—to create its lightweight, translucent envelope. This advanced tensile structure offers three critical engineering advantages:
1. Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio Despite being only millimeters thick, ETFE film possesses tensile strength comparable to steel. This allowed our engineers to design four elegant “ribbons” that spiral up the steel trusses, mimicking a dragon’s veil without adding excessive dead weight to the primary structure.
2. Natural Light & Environmental Sustainability High light transmittance ensures that the natural grass pitch receives sufficient UV rays for growth, reducing artificial lighting energy consumption. For spectators, the ETFE roof creates a bright, airy atmosphere, eliminating the “closed-in” feeling of traditional concrete stadiums.
3. Self-Cleaning & Durability in Humid Climates Chongqing is known for its fog and rain. The non-stick surface of ETFE foil prevents dust accumulation. Rainwater naturally washes away debris, significantly reducing long-term maintenance costs and ensuring the stadium retains its pristine “high-value” aesthetic for decades.
Integration of Kinetic Light & Membrane Architecture
The interplay between the white ETFE membrane and the massive LED facade (reaching 58 meters in height) creates a nocturnal spectacle.
Dynamic Visuals: The membrane acts as a massive diffuser for the LED lighting, allowing for fluid color transitions.
Smart Grid Integration: The 100,000 sqm transparent screen merges perfectly with the tensile fabric, turning the entire stadium into a glowing landmark that integrates seamlessly with the Chongqing city skyline.
Professional Installation & Quality Assurance
At SkyTensile, the installation of an ETFE membrane stadium roof is a high-precision operation. Our certified team utilizes specialized tensioning equipment to ensure the membrane maintains its structural integrity under varying environmental loads. Every project undergoes a multi-point quality check, including:
Tension Verification: Ensuring the membrane reaches engineered stress levels.
Seam Inspection: Ultrasonic testing of thermal welds to guarantee 100% waterproofing.
Safety Protocol: Adhering to international construction safety standards for high-altitude work.
This meticulous attention to detail ensures that the Chongqing Longxing Football Stadium is not just a visual masterpiece, but a durable architectural landmark.
SkyTensile continues to lead the industry in etfe-ptfe-dome-structure innovation.
FAQ: Commercial ETFE Dome Structures
ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) was selected for its superior light transmittance and lightweight properties. It allows the stadium to achieve a “soft glass” aesthetic while providing the necessary UV rays for natural grass growth, which is critical for professional football pitches
ETFE is a non-polar material with an extremely smooth surface. This creates a self-cleaning effect where rainwater naturally washes away dust and pollutants. It is also highly resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for the humid and misty climate of Chongqing.
Yes. The structure underwent rigorous wind tunnel testing and load analysis during the engineering phase. The tensile strength of ETFE is exceptional, and the spiral steel truss system is designed to withstand seismic activities and extreme wind loads according to international building codes
While the ETFE film itself is typically transparent or white, it acts as a perfect medium for LED lighting systems. By integrating LED transparent screens and floodlights, the membrane can display a full spectrum of colors and dynamic patterns, as seen in the Longxing Stadium’s night-time “Dragon” effects.
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