Redaelli completes the execution of the complex roof suspension system at Croatia’s Zagreb Arena

Redaelli, the Italian manufacturer of speciality wire ropes, won the tender from the Croatian Government and the City Government of Zagreb in April 2008. According to the contract, Tensoteci Engineering [Redaelli’s technical engineering business] designed and supplied the complete suspension system for the large roof of the sports hall. The roof is 112 metres wide and 136 metres long, with no intermediate support. The suspension system consists of 21 main cables made with 64 and 66 mm diameter full locked coil strand (FLC), 60 stay cables made with 24, 35 and 40 mm FLC cables and 343 heavy clamps on which are attached the diagonal hangers that hang the roof and the high-tech spherical device system for cable anchorage.

This was a very interesting, and in many ways different, project for the company. First of all, the Arena design is a combination of many different construction methods. One can find traditional concrete execution for the foundations and service floors, post-tensioned concrete for the execution of the onsite-cast-vertical-cantilevers (circumferential masts) where the cables are fitted to the anchoring points, steel girder net for the steel roof covering and cable net system.

The other point was the short amount of time available in which to design, produce and install the cable net. Redaelli received the official order in April and the cables and accessories were on site for the start of the installation in June.

Third, the Arena is situated in the middle of the former Yugoslavia, a strategic location in the Balkans, which enables Severstal-metiz to gain a foothold in this new market.

“For over 30 years our Italian colleagues have participated in the building or reconstruction on dozens of major European projects. Huge industry experience in manufacturing speciality wire ropes, advanced technologies, individual design and strong engineering credentials make Redaelli one of the world’s leaders in the tensostructure solutions* market. We intend to implement these components in joint projects in Russia and the CIS” – remarks Oleg Veter, the Head of the Severstal-metiz group of companies.