Calgary's Olympic Saddledome

Abstract

This paper outlines the design concept and development of the structural envelope of Calgary's Olympic Saddledome.

The mere ability to make forces change direction is not the essence of structural engineering. The real crux of the matter is crystallised in the optimum resolution of conflicts originating from the combined effects of gravity, motion, fluctuating temperatures and the need for an unobstructed and yet economical, safe and protected space for human activity.

Rather than accept the severe confines of technical advances on traditional structures, which at best would have produced only partial improvement, a conscious effort was made to find an organic solution, fulfilling the complex functions of the building.

The design evolved harmoniously and succeeded in dispelling the mystique arising from an apparent dichotomy between bold and ingenious, yet largely intuitive design concepts, and complex mathematical theories, the latter being only capable of modelling the physical realities and practical limitations in an incomplete and approximate manner. Here the author invites attention to Albert Einstein's dictum

‘As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality’.

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