After 75 years of service, the “Horseshoe,�? The Ohio State University’s historic landmark stadium, was badly in need of restoration, code-mandated modifications and expanded seating capacity. This high-visibility, $195 million project called for a structural system that could meet the dual challenge of preserving the original classical architecture while providing uninterrupted stadium use for three football seasons during construction. Architectural precast concrete enhanced the aesthetics of the arched motif shell, giving the stadium its powerfully arcaded form. Structural and architectural precast elements composed the new lower and upper deck levels. The renovations to the entire stadium were possible only with the production predictability and design flexibility of precast/prestressed concrete components, including raker beams, triple risers and large curved architectural precast panels. This article explains how the precast concrete construction provided a highly successful, owner pleasing renovation solution.
