3M Dyneon's fluoroplastic ETFE high-performance film began to be used on the roof of the first similar stadium in the United States.
The high-performance fluoropolymer film extruded by 3M Dyneon ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) from 3M Company in St. Paul, Minnesota will cover the first sports facility in the United States-the new home of the Minnesota Vikings Football Stadium-with The transparent roof allows outdoor light to be unrestricted by the weather.
Dallas-based HKS Architects designed the stadium roof using ETFE thin film cushioning technology, which has been widely used in Europe and Asia and can be used for various events throughout the year. This product that allows light to enter is lighter than glass and more cost-effective than retractable alternatives. According to reports, the design reduces construction costs by approximately US$100 million compared with the retractable roof.
The stadium’s 248,000 square foot asymmetric roof and façade are covered by 75 three-layer ETFE membrane cushions, making the Bank of America Stadium the largest ETFE membrane project in the United States. Some of the individual inflatable cushions are more than 1,200 square feet in length and approximately 32-feet wide. . The top film is printed with a geometric pattern to diffuse sunlight and prevent the greenhouse effect in summer. In winter, the membrane roof can protect the interior from the cold outdoor temperature. According to reports, such film mats allow 95% of sunlight to pass through, but their weight is only about 5% of the weight of glass. Therefore, the supporting steel structure is light and slender, providing the audience with an excellent view of the playing field.
In addition, compared with other roof membranes, ETFE film has excellent value in terms of tear strength, tear propagation resistance and puncture resistance-which makes the inflatable cushion can easily cope with highly concentrated impact loads such as hail. Their use in Northern Europe and the Alps proves their winter compatibility in snowy areas.
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