| Engineering of Lucas Oil Stadium Wins National Award |
 The engineering of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis has won a Grand Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). The award was presented recently at an ACEC gala at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. Lucas Oil Stadium was one of the country’s top eight engineering achievements nationwide for 2009. Criteria for the awards included uniqueness and originality, technical, social and economic value, and success of the projects in meeting goals. John P. Klipsch, executive director of the Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority (ISCBA), represented the state (and city) at the awards ceremony. The ISCBA had responsibility for constructing the stadium with contractor Hunt Construction Group, which in addition to being the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise, will be the site of the 2012 Super Bowl. It is also hosting NCAA basketball events, including the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2010 and the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2011 as well as IHSAA tournaments and numerous conventions, exhibitions and trade shows. It is now managed by the Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County (CIB). Walter P Moore of Houston, Tex., was the lead structural engineering and engineer-of-record for the project. It was responsible for several engineering “firsts” – the first movable roof with panels that slide open lengthwise. As they travel up a steeply inclined roof, each panel is supported on five parallel rails, and a “winding spool” technology reclaims energy as the roof moves. A unique linkage mechanism ensures the panels will not bind or wear. A custom weather sealing system protects the roof’s perimeter. The stadium also has North America’s largest operable glass window wall. “From the very beginning, we knew Lucas Oil Stadium would be a masterpiece of complex engineering,” said Klipsch. “This award confirms that expectation, and we are very grateful for such significant national recognition.” Hunt Construction Group started work on the 1.8 million-square-foot facility in September 2005. Construction completed in August 2008 as scheduled. |