Curved roof trusses
Long-span steel trusses more than 16 feet deep replaced the original glulam roof system, introducing demanding geometry and complex end connections.
LocationAnchorage, Alaska
ClientAllied Steel
Structural SteelApproximately 2,320 tons
Detailing Year2013
Project overview
A major value-engineering decision reshaped the arena roof.
The Alaska Airlines Center, originally developed as the Seawolf Sports Arena, is a multipurpose sports and entertainment facility at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
During the early detailing stages, an owner-driven value-engineering decision replaced the originally specified curved glulam roof beams with structural steel trusses. According to project records, the change generated approximately $16 million in savings.
Read moreRead less about Project overview
Working for Allied Steel, Anatomic detailed approximately 2,320 tons of structural steel, including long-span roof trusses, inclined columns, complex seismic framing, sloped seating structures and a suspended curved catwalk.
The late roof redesign left significant design details unresolved when steel detailing began, requiring close collaboration between the detailing, engineering and construction teams.
Approx. 2,320
Tons detailed
Enlarge view
Project team and technical details
- Original project name
- UAA Seawolf Sports Arena
- Owner
- University of Alaska Anchorage
- General contractor
- Cornerstone General Contractors
- Detailing platform
- Tekla Structures
- Project delivery
- Design-assist coordination following roof redesign
- Recognition
- Second Place — 2013 Tekla BIM Awards Poland
Value engineering & design coordination
Helping complete the design without delaying fabrication.
The roof redesign placed the engineering team several months behind its original design-development schedule, while the owner maintained the original fabrication and erection deadlines.
Anatomic worked with Allied Steel, Swanson and the design team through twice-weekly live Tekla model-review meetings. These sessions allowed the team to identify unresolved conditions, develop proposed solutions and review connection details directly with the engineer and general contractor.
Tekla custom components and advanced connection modeling supported this collaborative process.
Despite the redesign and incomplete design information, the original fabrication and erection schedule was maintained.
Model to field
From coordinated geometry to the completed arena structure.
The Tekla model brought together the arena’s curved roof framing, inclined columns, seismic connections, sloped seating and suspended catwalk.
Live model reviews helped resolve outstanding design conditions before the steel package progressed through fabrication and erection.
01 / Coordinated model
02 / Fabrication & fieldTechnical complexity
Complex geometry throughout the steel structure.
Inclined columns and seismic framing
Leaning columns followed a radiused corridor gridline and incorporated complex yielding seismic brace assemblies.
Sloped seating structure
Multi-level steel framing beneath the precast arena seating required careful coordination of slopes, elevations and supporting members.
Suspended curved catwalk
A distinctive catwalk fabricated from curved, profiled steel plate was suspended beneath the roof trusses to provide access to the center-hung scoreboard.
