The Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadium was modernized for the track and field athletic world championship 1993. Within the extremely short planning and construction period (2 years), during continuous soccer league operations, Europe’s largest membrane structure was built. It consists of an inner tension ring that is connected to the roof’s two outer compression rings with 40 radial cables. The cables and consequently the roof consistently span 58 m. The undulating roof form was created out of the intended expansion alternatives of the stadium. A PVC-coated polyester-membrane covers the roof. The covers double curvature is maintained by a secondary structure. The spoked-wheel-type construction principle chosen for this structure proved to be exceptionally economical especially with the existing foundation problems.
