4600 Lake Road Minneapolis, MN 55422 Phone: 763-536-1407 .

4600 Lake Road • Minneapolis, MN 55422 • Phone: 763-536-1407 • www.uni-systems.com


Cardinals Stadium Retractable FieldMechanization and Design by Uni-Systems, LLC


The retractable field at Cardinals Stadium normally resides outdoors, on the south side of the facility, where conditions for maintaining its natural grass playing surface are optimal. The field structure includes all components required for a healthy grass playing field, including irrigation, drainage and an optimized growing surface.


The field is 234’ (71.3 meters) wide by 403’-4” (123 meters) long, weighs 9,475 tons (8,614 metric tons), and has a 2.2 acre (8,770 sq. meter) playing surface. For proper water drainage, the playing field is crowned such that the centerline (perpendicular to the 50-yard line) is 2”(51 mm) higher than the sidelines, which are approximately 40 1/4” (102 cm) above the finished floor. An 18” (45.7 cm) wide synthetic edge strip runs the perimeter of the playing field, and allows maintenance staff to safely work on the natural grass without having to place themselves or their equipment directly on the edge.

Image courtesy of HOK Sports + Venue + Event


Shortly before a football game, the field is driven at 11.5 feet per minute (1/8 m.p.h.) (3.5 meters per minute) into the stadium through field doors (designed and installed by Uni-Systems) on the south side of the facility. The time to move the field into the stadium is

approximately 1 hour.


The retractable field drives along a 741’ (226 m) travel path over 13 rails that are 1,146’ (349.4 m) long.


The rails are embedded in the concrete and nearly flush with facility floor. Kerf covers are placed around the center guide rail to fill the cut-outs, providing a flat floor surface for events when the field resides outdoors.


During operation, two 250’ (76 meter) cords are connected to the field and provide power from receptacles located inside the stadium. A portable operator control station (OCS) is plugged into a pendant receptacle at the leading edge of the retractable field and is used to monitor and control field operation. Throughout movement, 4 light and horn beacons on the leading and trailing edges of the field provide visual and audio warnings.


The drive system components are accessed for maintenance and inspections via a maintenance trench located outside the stadium. The trench is approximately 3’ (91 cm) wide and 8’3” (2.5 meter) deep, and spans the width of the retractable field. Grates cover the top of the trench when not in use. One

personnel access hatch and ladder is located at each end of the trench.


The uniform depth soil/sod system within the field tray maintains its NFL quality playing surface via fully contained irrigation and drainage system.


The soil/sod system is supported by a 5” (12.7 cm) thick composite decking system and a structural framing grid of beams 18” (45.7 cm) deep. The massive support structure provides the playing field with considerable stiffness and

superior vibration characteristics.


The field mechanization system consists of 542 wheel box assemblies, including 76 drive wheels, each powered by one 1-hp (3/4 kW) motor, 42 guide or center row idler wheels, 360 guide rollers, and 424 idler wheels that all ride along the 13

rails.


The thirteen rails are shown in red, blue and green, and are labeled A through N. The retractable field grid lines (shown yellow) run perpendicular to the rails, and are numbered 1 through 42. One wheel box assembly is located at each intersection of grid lines and rails, and is labeled according to the corresponding rail and grid number.


Each of the 76 traction drive wheel box assemblies (38 per side) contains one 15” (38 cm) diameter wheel and one 1 hp (3/4 kW) electric gear motor. The retractable field is operational with up to 2 gear motors on each side of the field non-operational. The combined system redundancy and easy access location at the perimeter of the structure (rails A and N) allows the retractable field to be moved and maintained as needed to meet facility requirements.


Rails B through F, and H through M each support 42 idler wheel assemblies. In addition, 1 idler wheel assembly is located at each end of the field on rails A and N. The 424 idler wheel assemblies are comprised of one wheel box containing one 15” (38 cm) wheel.

Wheel box installation/final alignment.


There are 42 guide wheel assemblies located on the center guide rail. Each assembly is comprised of one wheel box

containing one 15” (38 cm) wheel.


There are 180 guide roller assemblies (each made up of 2 cam rollers) mounted to the retractable field structure. The guide roller assemblies are mounted on each side of the rail, adjacent to the guide wheel boxes. The guide rollers ride along the side of the guide rail to take all lateral loads (perpendicular to the sidelines) and maintain retractable field alignment. Cutouts in the support structure partially expose the profile of the center guide rail. The cutouts or kerfs provide access for the guide rollers to contact the sides of the railhead.


Goalpost holders support the removable goalposts, which must be taken down and stored prior to retractable field movement. Each goalpost holder has 2 covers. One is a single-piece drop-in that creates a flush top surface when the field is in the stored position outside the stadium. The other is a two-piece drop-in that accommodates the goalpost when the field is set up for a game.


Uni-Systems engineers extensively tested the retractable field mechanization components at their fabrication/test facility over a 6 month period. A special 100,000 lb (45.5 metric ton), 3-wheel test frame was constructed that cycled back and forth (up to 24 hours a day) over a pair of rails. Testing validated the design and durability of key components under the most severe loading and through lifecycle

testing.

Prototyping show-and-tell with general contractor and Cardinals Stadium ownership.

Guide roller assembly static load testing.


Of considerable importance is the vibration produced by on-field activities and the resultant response felt by individuals in the near vicinity and/or on the sidelines. Several prototypes were produced and tested over a 1.5-year time period to demonstrate/validate that vibration performance would be acceptable to the requirements of Cardinals ownership and ultimately, the NFL.


Cardinals Stadium Retractable Field Specifications

Dimensions: 403’-4” (123 m) long x 234’ (71.3 m) wide x 40 ¼” (102 cm) tall (42 ¼” at field crown).

Weight: 18,950,000 lbs. (8,614 metric tons) (operating dead load)28,390,000 lbs (12,905 metric tons) (dead load + 100 psf live load)

Wheel boxes: 542 15” (38 cm) diameter, flangeless wheel assemblies (wheel boxes) support field radial loads:(76) Drive wheel assemblies(424) Idler wheel assemblies (11 variations)(42) Guide wheel assemblies180 3” (7.62 cm) diameter cam rollers per side of center rail provide lateral field guidance

Rails: 13 rail lines with 104 lb/yard crane rail (2.8 miles)(4.5 km)

Travel speed: 11.5 ft/min (1/8 mph) (3.5 meters per minute)

Travel distance/time: Approximately 741’(226 m)/65 minutes

Drive System: 76 hp (57 kW) or 1 hp (3/4 kW) per drive wheel


Project Credits:Owner

Arizona Sports and Tourism AuthorityArizona Cardinals Football Club

ArchitectsHOK Sport + Venue + Event: Kansas City, MOEisenman Architects: New York, NY

Structural EngineersWalter P. Moore: Tampa, FL and Austin, TX

Field Design and MechanizationUni-Systems, LLC: Minneapolis, MN

Construction ManagerHunt Construction Group: Phoenix, AZ

Steel FabricatorSchuff Steel Company: Phoenix, AZ

Turf, Irrigation and Drainage System Design and SupplyCMX Sports Engineers


Additional Information about Cardinals Stadium can be found at:

• ARIZONA SPORTS & TOURISM AUTHORITY Websitehttp://www.az-sta.com/

• Cardinals Stadium Official Websitehttp://www.azcardinalsstadium.com/

• Hunt Construction Group websitehttp://www.huntconstructiongroup.com/

• Uni-Systems Websitehttp://www.uni-systems.com/files/broch_cardinals_stadium.pdf

Additional Information about Uni-Systems can be found at:

• Uni-Systems Website

http://www.uni-systems.com/files/broch_company_profile.pdf


Other Select Uni-Systems Projects

Cardinals Stadium Retractable Roof Mechanization

Glendale, AZ

Reliant Stadium Retractable Roof Mechanization

Houston, TX

Cardinals Stadium Field Door Design and Installation

Glendale, AZ

Minute Maid Ballpark Retractable Roof Mechanization

Houston, TX



Starlight Theater Operable Roof

Rock Valley College, Rock Valley, IL

Uni-Dock Wide Bodied Aircraft Maintenance System

Installations Worldwide

Lucas Oil Stadium Retractable Roof and End walls

Indianapolis, IN

Minute Maid Ballpark Ornamental Locomotive

Houston, TX



Miller Park Operable Outfield Walls

Milwaukee, WI

SkyVenture Skydiving Simulator

Eloy, AZ

Wall Street Ferry Terminal Door

New York, NY


Contact Information:

Bart Riberich

President

Uni-Systems LLC

[email protected]

4600 Lake Road Minneapolis, MN 55422 Phone: 763-536-1407 .

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