On August 21, 2020, CMRC announced the recent completion of the steel structure for the Sanya Sports Center Stadium Project. The application of carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRP) parallel plate and cable structures in this project, which was led by CMRC and completed by Beijing Architectural Design and Research Institute, Tsinghua University, CMRC and Chongqing Dali Cable, marks the first large-scale application of CFRP plates and cables in a large-span stadium. This milestone demonstrates the potential of CFRP materials in large-span space structures and new construction projects.
The Sanya Stadium covers an area of 88,000 square meters and features a hub-and-spoke cable truss roof structure with a short axis plane projection of 224 meters and a long axis projection of 261.8 meters. The central opening measures 134 meters on the short axis and 171.8 meters on the long axis. To increase wind resistance, the roof incorporates inner ring cross cables. The project innovatively uses CFRP parallel plate cables, which offer a significantly higher modulus ratio than conventional steel cables, effectively addressing structural challenges with advanced materials.
Fiber-reinforced composites are central to the evolving international civil engineering landscape, promising broad applications in marine engineering, large-span bridges, space structures, and defense projects. Over the past two decades, high-performance fiber-reinforced composites have been widely used in structural reinforcement and repair due to their light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance, and design flexibility. The application of CFRP sheet cable structures in the Sanya Stadium represents a significant breakthrough in the application of carbon fiber composites for new structures.
CMRC has been a leader in carbon fiber composite research since 1996, establishing academic platforms and technical alliances to advance the field. Its pioneering work includes the design and construction of the first carbon fiber concrete lighthouse, which promoted CFRP concrete applications in marine engineering. This project continues CMRC's legacy of innovation in composites for structural engineering.
