Enerpac Integrated Hydraulic Solution for Athens Olympic Stadium

Athens’ Olympic marvel also a tribute to engineering ingenuity

Athen’s Oaka Olympic Stadium being refurbished with two double bowstring tied arches.

Movement of the arches and roof construction is done simultaneously using two Enerpac PLC-controlled hydraulic systems each with four 150 ton pull cylinders with 2 meters stroke.

These double-acting pull cylinders are attached to shoes in a sliding and guiding system pulling the arched roof assembly step by step into the final position.

Synchronization of the hydraulic movement is controlled by the PLC-units on the pumps. The pumps are located at both sides of the shoe’s arches and control all eight cylinders.

The suspended ached roof construction, designed by the famous architect Mr. Calatrava will cover about 10.000 m2 of the Olympic Stadium which will seat around 75.000 spectators. The new design is built from glass and metal. The unique architectural and structural design and style makes this a very special project because the existing stadium will be refurbished while the roof and arches are being designed and erected. The roof-arch construction will be built close to the sides of the stadium and then hydraulically moved into position with a sliding and guiding system. The arches and roof are being constructed in two halves, 70 meters from either side of the stadium. On completion of the steel structure the roof and arches are simultaneously slid into position on Teflon pads along huge reinforced rails.

Integrated hydraulic solution
Two hydraulic pumps are used in a PLC-controlled integrated hydraulic solution with eight double-acting jacks equipped with proximity switches. The hydraulic movement with pulling and pushing in a sliding system can be seen like a horizontal stage lift system – step-by-step controlled movement.

Hydraulic raise of Olympic Games
The roof design is a double bowstring tied arch that will cover the stadium. Each roof and arches assembly is moved horizontally over 70 meters in 36 times with an average speed of 85 millimeters per minute and an accuracy of ± 2 millimeters on final arch position. Mr. Calatrava’s skills bring architectural design, construction engineering and hydraulic expertise together. The roof hangs in two giant arches of 80 m high. Each arch consists of two 3,5 meter diameter tubes with a span of 304 meter and support the new state-of-the-art roof. Each assembly with roof and two arches weigh 8500 ton