The annual Velada del Año event in Spain required a heavy-duty ground support solution capable of handling a payload of over 60,000 kg. The solution was created using the unique MILOS S-M1450 steel truss system.
What was addressed?
The event required a structure capable of handling a payload of 60,000 kg while supporting over 150 m² of windage area. At the same time, the structure had to remain slim and unobtrusive to provide as many spectators as possible with a clear view of the boxing matches underneath.
In addition to the main ground support structure, four free-standing towers were required, each carrying over 7,000 kg of PA, lighting and video equipment.
MILOS team
The project was carried out by German MILOS client Malecon Staging – Rigging & Support Systems, working closely with the engineering department of Area Four Industries Germany, particularly Project Engineer Patrik Rüller.
Throughout the project, the team faced several technical and manufacturing challenges that required completely new solutions.
What were the challenges?
Two main challenges had to be addressed.
The 40 m free span, combined with the high static and dynamic payload of the structure, resulted in enormous forces acting on the horizontal truss members. The critical point was the cross junction at the centre of the structure, which had to handle the full bending loads from all four connected truss sections.
Another challenge was handling a horizontal wind load of over 6,000 kg acting at a height of more than 20 m on top of the four towers. To withstand these forces, the towers and all connected components forming the ground support had to be extremely strong.
The solution
The MILOS S-RTW 41 cross junction, weighing almost 700 kg, was designed specifically for this purpose. It is capable of handling the full loads from the connected MILOS S-RTW steel trusses in any direction, ensuring that the junction itself does not become the limiting factor of the structure.
To manage the wind loads, a combination of guy wires, an asymmetric tower base footprint and a dedicated ballast configuration was evaluated to ensure that the towers and base supports remained safely within their structural limits.
Both the ground support structure and the free-standing towers were checked by our engineering department in Germany to ensure that every part of the structure could safely withstand the required loads.
In addition, an emergency plan was developed in case unexpectedly high wind loads occurred on site.
Customer satisfaction
The customer particularly appreciated the flexibility of the MILOS team and its ability to respond to changes throughout the project.
MILOS was also recognized for actively searching for solutions to the unusual requirements rather than simply concluding that they could not be achieved. This approach helped turn a challenging custom assignment into a successful solution for Velada del Año 5.
| Client | Malecon Staging. – Rigging & Support Systems |
|---|---|
| The Project | Velada del Año 5 Ground Support, Sevilla, Spain |
| Dimension of the structure | 48m cross ground support, 20m height |
| Used systems | MILOS Steel Truss S-M1450 and S-M780 |
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