Spectator Sport: Heavy structure engineering expands stadium

DCI Engineers completed the structural engineering for the last three expansion phases at Washington Grizzly Stadium. The engineers joined forces with the U of M personnel, architects, and general contractor to coordinate the construction in short turnaround times.

Each phase had its unique challenges and constraints involving heavy cranes and unique installation techniques. The 1996 expansion added 7,000 seats to the north and south end zones, using cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete and structural steel for lateral bracing. The 2001 expansion added substantial seating to the north end zone making large cantilevered concrete beams to extend over Campus Drive. The 2008 expansion supplemented the east side of the stadium with a 2,000 seat addition with a large skybox hovering over the existing east side seating and on-grade skyboxes.