2008 Woodie Awards
UCF to modify stadium for sway
Shanna Fortier
Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: News
UCF will make modifications to the Bright House Networks Stadium to improve fan comfort and avoid long-term wear on the stadium.
Last season, when the song "Kernkraft 400" by Zombie Nation was played, fans would jump simultaneously, producing a synchronized motion that caused the stadium structure to move. The modifications will be made to decrease the synchronized motion that some fans found uncomfortable, Grant Heston of UCF News and Information said.
"The engineering analyses conducted in response to the 'bounce/sway' phenomenon indicated that there were no structural or safety concerns; rather this modification will simply help reduce the 'bounce/sway' experienced during coordinated fan jumping, thereby improving fan comfort during our games," said Al Harms, vice president for Strategic Planning and Initiatives.
The modifications will focus on stiffening support beams in the two end-zone sections of the stadium, Heston said. Additional steel will be welded to the bottom of the beams and girders to reduce movement related to the synchronized motion.
"It won't totally eliminate the deflection but it will reduce it by about 50 percent," said Lee Kernek, associate vice president for administration and finance.
The project is estimated to cost a total of $400,000. However, UCF's contribution to that will be about $100,000, Heston said, as project partners and donors will contribute the remaining funds.
All UCF contributions toward the stadium work will come from an existing project fund, Heston said. The original stadium construction came in under budget leaving extra money. Therefore, no new money is being used to beef up the stadium.
The work is almost complete in the south end zone, which is the student section, and will be fully finished for the first home game, Kernek said. The work being done on the north end zone will be completed while the Knights play their first two away games.
The work will continue into the start of the season, which, which is against the South Carolina State Bulldogs this Saturday. However, Heston said that there will be no effect on any UCF gamedays.
"We want to get the job done as soon as possible, but we want to do it right," Heston said.
The engineering report conducted by Thornton, Thomas and Esseti engineering firm concluded that the stadium life will not be reduced by the jumping, Kernek said.
"Kernkraft 400" will continue to be played at UCF home games. However, the song will eventually be played less and less each of the games, Kernek said.
"We want everyone to have an absolutely amazing experience at the stadium when they come to a game," Kernek said.
The Conference USA champion Knights kick off their season at home against South Carolina State this Saturday at 6 p.m. They follow it up next week with a nationally televised game against UCF's rival, the University of South Florida Bulls.
The Knights won the Conference USA championship last year, but lost in the Autozone Liberty Bowl.r
Last season, when the song "Kernkraft 400" by Zombie Nation was played, fans would jump simultaneously, producing a synchronized motion that caused the stadium structure to move. The modifications will be made to decrease the synchronized motion that some fans found uncomfortable, Grant Heston of UCF News and Information said.
"The engineering analyses conducted in response to the 'bounce/sway' phenomenon indicated that there were no structural or safety concerns; rather this modification will simply help reduce the 'bounce/sway' experienced during coordinated fan jumping, thereby improving fan comfort during our games," said Al Harms, vice president for Strategic Planning and Initiatives.
The modifications will focus on stiffening support beams in the two end-zone sections of the stadium, Heston said. Additional steel will be welded to the bottom of the beams and girders to reduce movement related to the synchronized motion.
"It won't totally eliminate the deflection but it will reduce it by about 50 percent," said Lee Kernek, associate vice president for administration and finance.
The project is estimated to cost a total of $400,000. However, UCF's contribution to that will be about $100,000, Heston said, as project partners and donors will contribute the remaining funds.
All UCF contributions toward the stadium work will come from an existing project fund, Heston said. The original stadium construction came in under budget leaving extra money. Therefore, no new money is being used to beef up the stadium.
The work is almost complete in the south end zone, which is the student section, and will be fully finished for the first home game, Kernek said. The work being done on the north end zone will be completed while the Knights play their first two away games.
The work will continue into the start of the season, which, which is against the South Carolina State Bulldogs this Saturday. However, Heston said that there will be no effect on any UCF gamedays.
"We want to get the job done as soon as possible, but we want to do it right," Heston said.
The engineering report conducted by Thornton, Thomas and Esseti engineering firm concluded that the stadium life will not be reduced by the jumping, Kernek said.
"Kernkraft 400" will continue to be played at UCF home games. However, the song will eventually be played less and less each of the games, Kernek said.
"We want everyone to have an absolutely amazing experience at the stadium when they come to a game," Kernek said.
The Conference USA champion Knights kick off their season at home against South Carolina State this Saturday at 6 p.m. They follow it up next week with a nationally televised game against UCF's rival, the University of South Florida Bulls.
The Knights won the Conference USA championship last year, but lost in the Autozone Liberty Bowl.r