Rebuilding the Superdome Roof, 1

I have been honored with the challenges of unique projects in my work career. This year has already brought what I hope to be one of the most famous and visible projects I have had. In January I received a telephone call from my friends at Ellerbe Beckett in Kansas City. I was told that I was about to be added to a conference call in progress with a meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. And with that simple click on the line, I was added to the team working to re-build the Louisiana Superdome.

The story of the Superdome and how it sheltered the victims of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 is well known. There was significant damage to the roofing, primarily caused by the roof top vents blowing off and down the curve of the dome. The tumbling vents, three of twelve came off, ripped the rubber membrane roof. Once that happened the wind pulled most of the membrane off the leeward side. The photo shows one of the remaining damaged vents at the top of the Superdome. Note the large dent and the blown up counter flashing!

Structurally, the Superdome roof held up well. That fact allowed the dome to shelter those gathered within. The rain was able to blow in, however.

An application of spray foam was used to quickly dry-in the dome. This was a Superdome version of a blue tarp and provided a weather barrier. If you have visited an area ravaged by a hurricane, you know how important it is to prevent further damage.