Project Title: Sunderland Aquatic Centre
Location: Sunderland
Wood Species: GLULAM MADE OF AUSTRIAN SPRUCE (PICEA ABIES), PEFC CERTIFIE
Project Description
The Sunderland Aquatic Centre will serve as a performance centre for the preparation of a UK team for the Olympic Games in London 2012.
Its core is the “Olympic Size” pool with 50 m length and 25 m width. A diving pool and the wellness area supplement the pool which is the largest in North England ever built in timber.
The 11 numbers of glulam frames span over 50 m. The challenge was the combination of an outstanding architectural shape including a very tight radius of 3 m and the high forces within the splice connection.
The frame was splitted and delivered in four parts - 2 curved and two straight parts.
The curved glulam member has a radius of 3 m which leads to very thin lamellas of just 16 mm.
The forces required a glulam section of 440 mm wide to 2 meter deep.
The straight members are reduced to a width of 220 mm.
The invisible splice connection between curved and straight member have to transmit a moment of 2500 KNm which was splitted into tension/compression of still 1500 KN (150 tons).
The Sunderland Aquatic Centre is a reference of this fascinating material and the whole timber community highlighting following properties:
- Ideal for long span structures as it is a leight weight building material
- Ideal in aggressive environment as in a pool or near the sea coast (no problem with corrosion)
- Ideal for complex shapes (curved members)
- 100 % Off Site Construction and therefore less risks and costs on site
- Low carbon material - saving 500 tons of CO2 by using glulam instead of steel for the Sunderland project . This is equivalent to 300 cars for one year with an milage of 10.000 km (165 g/km)
BUILDING OWNER: CITY OF SUNDERLAND
ARCHITECT: REDBOXDESIGNGROUP
BUILDER/MAIN CONTRACTOR: BALFOUR BEATTY
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: ARUP
JOINERY: WIEHAG TIMBER CONSTRUCTION
