Adding a roof posed many challenges.
Arthur Ashe Stadium was built on marshy
ground. It wouldn’t support a heavy roof.
So engineers and architects instead
designed a separate structure that would
go around the existing stadium.
The structure has eight steel
columns
.
They are supported by
piles
driven
feet ( m) underground. This holds
up the roof. The roof includes two panels.
The panels each weigh short tons
( metric tons). But they can open and
close. The panels move on wheels set in
rails. Cables pull the panels open. Fully
opening the panels takes approximately
seven minutes.
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