Case Study: David Dexter Associates designs Beijing’s Water Cube ETFE cladding with Oasys Software

David Dexter Associates - Customer Case Study

The customer, David Dexter Associates (DDA), was engaged to analyse and design the complex ETFE foil bubble cladding for Beijing's National Aquatic Centre. Their challenge was to perform the sophisticated form-finding and structural analysis required to ensure the cushions could withstand various service loads, including wind and snow, without being overstressed. For this highly specialized engineering task, DDA selected Oasys Software and its GSA application.

Oasys GSA provided the essential solution for the project. DDA used GSA's soap-film method and other dynamic relaxation algorithms for accurate form-finding of the large cushions, preventing the ETFE from being overstressed during inflation. The software's non-linear analysis capabilities then ensured the final design could carry all service loads, providing the fabricator with crucial data on foil thickness and connection forces. This use of Oasys software was critical to the successful fabrication and erection of the innovative cladding system, which became a defining feature of the iconic "Water Cube."

David Dexter Associates

Gavin Sayers

Lead Engineer