The Concrete Game: 4 Examples of Using Concrete in Stadiums

Just like playing sports, designing and building stadiums comes with considerable time constraints and a variety of challenges. 

It often means concreting large areas in city centers, harmonizing design and safety standards with the construction of grandstands, roofs and parking areas that can withstand wind and weather, explains Dr. Michael Fischer, responsible at BASF for regional market management for concrete additives in Europe.

Thankfully, many of those challenges can be overcome with smart, flexible solutions, such as the ones found in the product portfolio of Master Builders Solutions.

Here are four examples of how Master Builders Solutions by BASF was able to meet building goals before the proverbial buzzer rang.

1. The nine kilometer hurdle

This type of concrete is especially economical as faster construction reduces time and energy requirements and also means that less personnel is required Thomas Strobl, Technical Services Admixtures

Work on the construction of the Allianz Stadium in Vienna started in February 2015. The new stadium, slated to open for the 2016/17 season, offers space for more than 24,000 spectators. Face concrete for nine kilometers of grandstands was needed. Concrete admixtures from Master Builders Solutions were used for the pre-fabricated concrete components. The project called for a self-compacting concrete with high segregation resistance, so the experts from Applications Technology optimized the concrete formulation with MasterGlenium ACE 430. The admixture promotes the fine dispersion of the cement, making it suitable for the production of self-compacting concrete. “This type of concrete is especially economical as faster construction reduces time and energy requirements and also means that less personnel is required”, says Thomas Strobl, Technical Services Admixtures. “Deadlines can be met reliably and the construction progress becomes more predictable.”

Appearance was also a key factor for the construction of the grandstands. The exposed concrete surfaces needed to be free from air inclusions and pores and to show uniform coloring. Thanks to the use of MasterFinish DF 370, all of those goals were met.  During concrete mixing and placing, this product functions as a “de-aerator,” preventing air bubbles forming on the shuttered concrete surfaces.

2. No rain delay: Concrete construction in all weather conditions

The Warsaw National Stadium had to be completed to a tight time schedule as it was needed for the 2012 European Football Championships. No significant interruptions were scheduled and 220,000 m³ of concrete had to be placed at high and low temperatures. Concrete admixtures were required to ensure homogeneous consistency in different weather conditions. The ideal solution was provided by water reducing admixtures from the MasterGlenium series in combination with MasterPozzolith for high ambient temperatures. These products ensured optimum concrete quality in all weather conditions.

3. A winning line-up

The objective in the construction of the San Mamés Stadium was to involve as few suppliers as possible in order to minimize the complexity of the project. Experts from Master Builders Solutions provided a complete solution package ranging from concrete admixtures to waterproofing products.

No significant interruptions were scheduled and 220,000 m³ of concrete had to be placed at high and low temperatures.

They prepared a detailed manual for the use of these products, which simplified construction work and ensured completion on schedule in August 2014. Concrete plasticizers from the MasterGlenium SKY series ensured smooth and trouble-free concreting. The strong point of this product is the precise adjustment of concrete properties and the ability to maintain workability up to installation on site. The bleachers were waterproofed with MasterSeal, an easy-to-apply membrane with high elasticity. The membrane features good crack bridging properties and prevents water from entering the structure.

4.  The quick play

Time was also of the essence for work on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin: as the world’s oldest rugby stadium it is located in a quiet residential district, the construction of the new stadium was to be completed as rapidly as possible without any adverse effects on local residents. It was intended to use waterproof concrete for the northern stand. A MasterPel admixture was put to good use in order to obtain water-repellent properties. Together with MasterGlenium as a plasticizer, this product ensures a surface with strong, durable hydrophobic properties. Concrete pores are reduced and the remaining pores received durable water-repellent properties.

Learn more about Master Builders Solutions by BASF. Visit their website here.

Check out our Stadiums Spotlight