Many of us still quite can’t get our head around on how 3D printing actually works and what benefits it provides. Qatar, a country that recognizes the great benefits of this promising technology, is now employing 3D printing to build the most effective and efficient stadiums for 2022 World Cup. And of course these stadiums will be well-designed, which is a must for Gulf countries, such as Qatar.
In preparation for the 2022 World Cup, Qatar, with the help of local researchers and a touch of 3D printing magic, is currently constructing many stadiums. To come up with the best engineering decisions, researchers at the College of Engineering at Qatar University are now printing and testing 3D models of the 2022 World Cup stadiums. The researchers also test the stadiums’ ability to handle different temperatures, which is very important given that temperatures in Qatar can get very high.
3D printed stadium model
Benefits of 3D Printing
“A model usually takes a week to be printed”, according to Dr. Saud Abdul Aziz Abdu Ghani, a Professor at Qatar University. He explains that to complete a 3D printed stadium model, different parts of a stadium are first printed separately using the 3D printer and are then put together .
Abdu Ghani explains in a report that the researchers get valuable information by using 3D-testing:
“We can see the temperature per tier, add in variants such as sweat produced and amount of spectators, and then run the simulation and see the effect on the temperature inside the stadium”
What’s more is that the analysis provided by 3D-testing is used innovatively to build more environmental-friendly stadiums with less steel, reduced energy, and minimized capital!
2 Stadiums have been tested, 1 is next in line, and 4 more to go!
So far, two stadiums, Al Byat Stadium and Al Wakrah Stadium, have been tested, and Al Thumama Stadium is next in line.
Al Byat Stadium is located in Al Khor, 40 km north of Doha. Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, it mimics the traditional Bedouin tent from which it takes its name. After adjusting the stadium using the results of 3D printing analysis, the stadium which was originally planned for 45,000 people back in 2010, can now hold up to 60,000 spectators! Maintaining a moderate temperature, this stadium can now host football games during Qatar’s hot summers!
AL Byat Stadium, AL Khor City, Qatar
Al Wakrah stadium is located in Al Wakrah, 15 km South of Doha. The stadium’s design is inspired by the dhow boats that carried generations of Qatari fishermen and Pearl divers. The stadium also reflects the rich heritage of Qatar and the seafaring identity of AL Wakrah. 3D testing of the stadium helped in maintaining a cool temperature that cannot exceed 26 degrees Celsius, ensuring the best temperature for the best football games yet to take place!
Here are 4 more stadiums that are yet to be tested using 3D printing:
1- Al Khor Stadium, AL Khor, Qatar
2-Al Gharafa Stadium, AL Rayyan, Qatar
3- Al Doha Port Stadium, Al Doha, Qatar
4- Umm Salal Stadium, Um Sala, Qatar
Using high tech 3D printing, Qatar is on the right track of building the most effective and attractive stadiums for the 2022 World Cup. And at the same time it is saving the environment! It’s a win-win for everyone!
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