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 Design • Engineering •
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ASFI Scores with Unique Weather-Resistant Structure in Siberian ArcticInnovative Fabric-Framed Solution Protects Sports Enthusiasts from Harsh Climate April 19, 2007 (Crystal River, Fla.) — American Spaceframe Fabricators International (ASFI) announced that it has entered into an agreement to build an indoor soccer facility to be delivered to Norilsk, Russia. The innovative fabric framed facility will protect soccer aficionados from the extreme arctic temperatures of northern Russia, enabling residents to pursue their passion yearround. A gift to the city’s residents from Michael Prokhorov, managing director of Norilsk Nickel, the world’s largest producer of palladium, platinum and nickel, the indoor facility is designed for use by youth, amateur and professional soccer leagues. Scheduled for completion in fall 2008, the 146 meter by 92 meter ASFI structure is constructed of a durable, flexible fabric cover tightened over a steel frame. The structure’s unique design attributes and dome shape provide the citizens of Norilsk with a regulation soccer field with a ceiling height of 23 meters.
ASFI was brought into the Russian project by L.A.R.T Industrial Resources. The Montreal-based company was responsible for turnkey management of the Norilsk Nickel project — from design to completion. “Given its dimensions and the technological engineering necessary to build the structure, we needed to engage a company that could build a unique structure,” said Raouf Jafiarov, president of L.A.R.T. Industrial Resources Inc. “My decision to bring ASFI into the project was influenced by the design’s functionality, its flexibility to meet the Russian codes and its competitive pricing.” Through the cooperation of ASFI, Russian specialists including Professor Viatcheslav Faybishenko at the well-known Moscow Research center “Victoria” and the highly regarded Norilsk Nickel design center the North American design was adapted to function in Norilsk’s extreme cold climate. The structure of the dome can resist up to 430 kg/m2 snow load and storm wind of 42 meters per second. Unlike any project undertaken by ASFI before, the extreme temperatures and weather conditions of the region poised several design challenges. With snow cover up to 270 days a year, permafrost 200 meters deep and winter temperatures often dropping to 58 degrees below Celsius, ASFI engineers had to address both the physical and environmental requirements of the project. “As we discussed the project with Norilsk Nickel, it was apparent this project was going to present a number of challenges,” said Craig Anderson, CEO of ASFI. “Because of the flexibility afforded by the construction materials we use, we’re able to design a structure that can withstand the extremes of the region. Additionally, the lightweight construction will allow us to deploy the structure in the small window of time when the climate is accommodating.” About Norilsk Nickel Norilsk Nickel Group is engaged in prospecting, exploration, mining, beneficiation and metallurgical processing of minerals, with further production, marketing and sale of non-ferrous and precious metals. In 2003, Norilsk Nickel acquired 55.4 percent stake in Stillwater Mining Company, the sole producer of platinum group metals on the territory of the USA. Additionally, in 2007, the company acquired Nickel plants in Finland and Australia from US-based OM Group. For more information visit www.nornik.ru About L.A.R.T. Industrial Resources Inc. About ASFI |
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“This structure is really an engineering marvel,” said Andrey Fedotov, counselor to the managing director of Norilsk Nickel. “Its innovative design has created an ideal venue for soccer and other activities year-round. This is particularly amazing given the Norilsk climate. From a budget standpoint, we would never have been able to achieve the same playing field using traditional construction materials and design.” |
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