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Originally built without a roof, Arthur Ashe Stadium will be protected from the elements after its renovation is complete.


operational by the 2016 event in late August. Te hulking steel frame was already in place for last year’s tournament, missing the polytetrafluoroethylene fiberglass membranes that will eventually cover the roof and provide protection when inclement weather hits. Of course, the project is much more


complicated than simply slapping a roof structure over an existing arena. Te new structure is supported by eight steel columns spaced around the perimeter of the stadium that are joined to ground-level concrete piers. Each base is a point where two diago- nal braces are connected to a vertical steel column by cast steel connections. As fans walk into the arena, they stride right past the connections that are in place to help keep the roof up. Enter Cast Connex, Toronto, and


eventually its chosen partner for the proj- ect: Bradken, Kansas City, Missouri. Around February 2014, Cast


Connex, a supplier of castings and forgings with engineering and design capabilities, was contacted by steel fabricator Canam Group (Saint- Georges, Quebec, Canada). After a 2014 request from the New York City Design Commission, the USTA and the outside builders were tasked with creating the connections for the structure base that were strong and also attractive, since they are visible to spectators entering the arena. Cast Connex was asked to deliver


a custom-designed product, with the connections and braces in place by November 2014. “From a structural perspective, the


entire weight and lateral system of the roof goes through these connections,” said Carlos de Oliveira, principal, Cast Connex. “Te connections are also important from an architectural perspec- tive, given that these connections are the only location where spectators can inter- act directly with the new roof structure.” According to de Oliveira, each of


the connections weighs around 7,700 lbs. (3,492.7 kg) and connects to 30-in. (76.2 cm) diameter steel braces on one end. On the other, they’re welded to the


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