Bird’s Nest

The main venue for the Beijing Olympics，the National Stadium，widely known as the Bird’s Nest because of its unique design，has become a nationwide sensation.The removal of the elements helped to bring the project under the reduced constructionbudget of290 million，from an original500 million.With the removal ofthe retractable roof，the building was lightened，which helped it stand up to seismic activity；however，the upper section ofthe roofwas altered to protect fans from weather.Due to the stadium’s outward appearance，it was nicknamed”The Bird’s Nest”.

Bird’s Nest is located in the Olympic Theme Park in Beijing and coversa construction area of258，000 square meters with a seating capacity of91，000 people，including20，000 makeshift seats.During the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games，the opening ceremony，closing ceremony，track and field meets，and men’s football final were held here.

It is beautifully designed；Its design had to be inspiring and be able to withstand an earthquake.So”light weight”was combined with strength in110，000 tons of a new grade of steel，the purest ever developed in China including36 km of steel struts.And all the structural parts support with each other，forming a network framework.The crust of the stadium can be made ofthe diaphragm.The sun can penetrate through the transparent roof to meet the growth of the indoor turf

During a game，the stands can change through various ways and can satisfy the different requirements of different audiences.During the Olympic Games，20，000 temporary seats are on the top of the stadium and can ensure that everyone can clearly see the whole game.The entrance，the exit and the crowd flow through the regional division and reasonable streamline design had been settled perfectly.The eastern and western stands of Beijing National Stadium are higher than northern and southern stands，in order to improve sightlines.A24-hour per day rainwater collector is located near the stadium；after water is purified，it is used throughout and around the stadium.Pipes placed under the playing surface gather heat in the winter to warm the stadium and coldness in the summer to cool the stadium.

The Bird’s Nesttogether with the nearby Water Cube，represents the traditional Chinese concept of”round heaven and square earth”，as well as the”Qiankun”and”Yin-yang”ideas.The Bird’s Nest is a Beijing’s landmark building whichrepresents the most advanced steel structure building system and it supports the development ofthe future building.It has been a landmark and a longstanding symbol of the Olympics.It is”one of the key engineering marvels in the world today”.After the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games，the stadium becomes a sports and entertainment facility for the residents of Beijing.And it also becomes another important tourist traction of Beijing.

hancheng

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