Niobium: revolutionizing the design
at STIGA Sports Arena
High-strength Niobium steels enhance structural integrity, flexibility, and efficiency in modern arena construction
The STIGA Sports Arena, opened in 2017 in the Munktellstad district of Eskilstuna, Sweden, serves as a multifunctional venue for sports, concerts, conventions, and fairs. The main arena seats 3,700 for sports events and 5,000 for concerts, and the complex includes three additional sports halls to accommodate various events.
A key feature of the arena’s design is the use of high-strength Niobium steels, which play an essential role in the construction of the long-span steel roof trusses. These trusses, designed to resist loads primarily through axial forces, provide an economical solution for large spans, offering lighter yet robust structures.
A key feature of the arena’s design is the use of high-strength Niobium steels, which play an essential role in the construction of the long-span steel roof trusses. These trusses, designed to resist loads primarily through axial forces, provide an economical solution for large spans, offering lighter yet robust structures.
The main arena’s roof trusses were constructed using cold-formed rectangular and square hollow sections, chosen for their structural efficiency and aesthetic appeal over long spans. To optimize the design, three steel grades were utilized: S355, S420, and S700. S355 and S420 steels, specifically Domex® Tube Double Grade by SSAB, meet or exceed EN 10219 requirements for grades S355J2H and S420MH. Material certificates for both steel grades are provided to the customer. While EN 10219 currently covers steels up to S460, the S700 steel (SSAB Strenx® Tube S700MC) conforms to EN 10419-2, which encompasses thermomechanically rolled steels from S315 to S960.
It’s important to note that these modern high-strength steels typically have a low carbon content and are microalloyed with up to 0.070% Niobium by weight (depending on the final strength requirements), primarily to aid grain refinement. This combination enables both strength and toughness requirements to be easily achieved, as well as improved cold formability. Furthermore, due to their low carbon equivalent, they possess excellent weldability and may require no or significantly less pre-heating prior to welding.
It’s important to note that these modern high-strength steels typically have a low carbon content and are microalloyed with up to 0.070% Niobium by weight (depending on the final strength requirements), primarily to aid grain refinement. This combination enables both strength and toughness requirements to be easily achieved, as well as improved cold formability. Furthermore, due to their low carbon equivalent, they possess excellent weldability and may require no or significantly less pre-heating prior to welding.
Innovative solutions in STIGA arena design:
maximizing strength and aesthetics
maximizing strength and aesthetics
The STIGA Sports Arena complex features three distinct halls, including the main arena and two smaller arenas, each requiring spacious layouts to accommodate sports floors and seating. Structural integrity is maintained through a steel frame comprising columns, trusses, beams, and bracing, with roof-level and vertical bracing ensuring stability and load distribution.
Profiled steel cladding and insulated sandwich panels adorn the roof and walls, while pinned connections facilitate flexibility and reduce bending moments. Trusses in the main arena span 52 meters, with careful consideration given to steel grade selection to optimize structural efficiency. Niobium high-strength steel is strategically employed in chord members to minimize weight and cost, resulting in a lighter overall structure. In the smaller arenas, grade S355 steel is used for diagonals and grade S420 for top and bottom chords.
Profiled steel cladding and insulated sandwich panels adorn the roof and walls, while pinned connections facilitate flexibility and reduce bending moments. Trusses in the main arena span 52 meters, with careful consideration given to steel grade selection to optimize structural efficiency. Niobium high-strength steel is strategically employed in chord members to minimize weight and cost, resulting in a lighter overall structure. In the smaller arenas, grade S355 steel is used for diagonals and grade S420 for top and bottom chords.
Steel frameworks: designing
for durability and efficiency
for durability and efficiency
The main arena’s roof trusses were constructed using cold-formed rectangular and square hollow sections, chosen for their structural efficiency and aesthetic appeal over long spans. To optimize the design, three steel grades were utilized: S355, S420, and S700. S355 and S420 steels, specifically Domex® Tube Double Grade by SSAB, meet or exceed EN 10219 requirements for grades S355J2H and S420MH. Material certificates for both steel grades are provided to the customer. While EN 10219 currently covers steels up to S460, the S700 steel (SSAB Strenx® Tube S700MC) conforms to EN 10419-2, which encompasses thermomechanically rolled steels from S315 to S960.
It’s important to note that these modern high-strength steels typically have a low carbon content and are microalloyed with up to 0.070% Niobium by weight (depending on the final strength requirements), primarily to aid grain refinement. This combination enables both strength and toughness requirements to be easily achieved, as well as improved cold formability. Furthermore, due to their low carbon equivalent, they possess excellent weldability and may require no or significantly less pre-heating prior to welding.
It’s important to note that these modern high-strength steels typically have a low carbon content and are microalloyed with up to 0.070% Niobium by weight (depending on the final strength requirements), primarily to aid grain refinement. This combination enables both strength and toughness requirements to be easily achieved, as well as improved cold formability. Furthermore, due to their low carbon equivalent, they possess excellent weldability and may require no or significantly less pre-heating prior to welding.
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Efficient construction methods
Niobium plays a prominent role in the efficiency of construction methods, especially in projects involving large steel structures like the STIGA Sports Arena. It increases the strength of steel without adding significant weight, improves weldability by reducing the need for pre-heating, and refines the steel’s grain structure, enhancing its mechanical properties. This results in lighter and more robust structural components, facilitating transportation and assembly. Additionally, the use of high-strength Niobium steels allows for the fabrication of smaller and lighter parts, reducing
material and transportation costs and accelerating the construction schedule. These benefits make Niobium essential for building efficient and economically viable structures.
material and transportation costs and accelerating the construction schedule. These benefits make Niobium essential for building efficient and economically viable structures.
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