Foshan Century Lotus Sports Center: A Masterpiece of Membrane Roof Design

The Foshan Century Lotus Sports Center, located in Foshan New City, Guangdong Province, was built for the 12th Guangdong Provincial Games and has become a landmark of the city. The center, designed by the German firm GMP, covers 42 hectares and includes a stadium and a swimming and diving hall. The stadium, named "Century Lotus" for its lotus-shaped design, features a membrane roof that is both striking and functional.

The roof, which was completed in 2006, spans 310 meters in diameter and is made of PVDF membrane material. The structure includes a double-ring design: an inner tensile ring made of steel cables and an outer compression ring supported by concrete-filled steel pipes. The roof is designed to withstand the high humidity and tropical climate of Foshan, which is characterized by hot and damp conditions. The membrane's excellent durability and UV resistance are essential for enduring the region's challenging weather, with wind speeds reaching up to 28m/s.

The membrane structure not only provides superior environmental resistance but also adds to the aesthetic appeal of the stadium, making it a recognizable symbol in Foshan. The roof's unique design allows for easy maintenance while offering optimal protection from the elements, contributing to the stadium’s long-lasting functionality and iconic status.

What is a Tensile Fabric Structure? Why Load Analysis is Essential

A tensile fabric structure is a lightweight architectural solution that relies on the balance of tension and compression. Unlike traditional buildings, it uses fabric materials like PVC, PTFE, and ETFE, supported by cables and steel frames, to create elegant, durable, and cost-effective shelters. These structures are widely used in stadiums, canopies, exhibition halls, and shade structures due to their unique aesthetic appeal and functional flexibility.

To ensure the stability and safety of these structures, load analysis is essential. This analysis evaluates the forces acting on the structure, such as wind load, snow load, live load, and temperature load, to prevent issues like sagging, tearing, or collapse.

Wind Load: Wind creates pressure that can push, pull, or lift the fabric. Proper design reduces wind resistance by shaping the fabric to deflect airflow. BDiR uses advanced software to simulate wind forces and ensure the stability of the structure.

Snow Load: In colder regions, snow accumulation can increase weight on the roof, leading to sagging or collapse. Proper slope design ensures snow slides off, while fabric tensioning increases load capacity.

Live Load: This refers to temporary loads like maintenance workers walking on the structure or hanging decorative items. Load capacity is built into the design to ensure the structure remains stable under such loads.

Temperature Load: Temperature changes cause fabric and metal components to expand or contract. BDiR selects materials with high thermal resistance and designs tension systems to adapt to these shifts, ensuring long-term stability.

Load Calculation: BDiR's engineers collect environmental data (wind speed, snow density, temperature) and apply load coefficients. Advanced software simulates forces, and adjustments are made to the fabric shape, pre-tension, and anchor points.

Custom Design: Each project is tailored to the site's unique climate conditions. BDiR’s designs feature optimal slope, fabric curvature, and reinforced anchor points to resist wind, snow, and live loads.

Material Selection: Using materials like PVDF and PTFE, BDiR ensures resistance to UV, weather, and thermal expansion.

Pre-Tensioning: The fabric is stretched to the correct tension before installation, preventing sagging and ensuring a taut, smooth surface that resists external forces.

BDiR offers custom design, load analysis, and premium materials to deliver durable and aesthetically appealing tensile fabric structures. Our team ensures that every project is tailored to local climate conditions, with a focus on wind load, snow load, and live load stability. With experience in stadiums, exhibition halls, and large public canopies, BDiR is your trusted partner for safe, durable, and elegant tensile structures.

If you're planning a tensile fabric structure project, contact BDiR for professional load analysis and custom design services.