metrodome collapsed
it's my D in a B
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 24,787
Likes: 1
From: Your Mom's House
Thats the same kind of tent they use to cover tennis courts in the winter time. It's just held up by air pressure. With the tennis tents, usually they have enough arch to them that snow slides off rather than accumulating on the tent, but being as wide as a stadium, I guess the metrodome doesn't work that way. They should just pay some goons to climb on top and shovel. 
Cool video though
Cool video though
CBOTY 2010
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 34,786
Likes: 0
From: MI
it's not like they take a plastic tarp and drape it over
these domes are made of a teflon inflatable material and work quite well. on top of inflating the dome you can pump up the air pressure in the building pushing the dome up.
the metrodome is one of the oldest facilities in the NFL . . . it's bound to happen and in all reality isnt as big a deal as you would think. they replace the broken sections and then reinflate and re-pressurize and game on. it's actually happened a few times to the metrodome. i think in the early 80's it happened like 3 years in a row where a section busted
however they are playing this game tonight in detroit
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,152
Likes: 0
From: Golden, CO
Saw the video yesterday during NFL games, it's really sweet how the snow just implodes it like that. Gonna be a weird game tonight in Detroit, I feel like this Minnesota Vikings "home" game is going to have more fans rooting for the Giants since it's in a division rival's home stadium.
CBOTY 2010
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 34,786
Likes: 0
From: MI
i wish, but between the distance there and the weather coming in tonight i'm passing. plus im supposed to go down tomorrow evening for a show. it's over an hour drive in good weather, snow/ice and shitty drivers during end of day . . . take almost 2 prolly
beer here
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,278
Likes: 0
Minnesotan here. This is about the 4th time that this has happened.
They have crews that climb up on top and brush shit off. But, after 20"+, it becomes kind of a futile attempt.
They have heating coils to help melt the snow, but it was so cold and there was just too much of it that it didn't work. Apparently, this was part of the problem, as it mainly heated up the dome and it became more flexible than normal, so it started to bend and hit a tipping point.
They have crews that climb up on top and brush shit off. But, after 20"+, it becomes kind of a futile attempt.
They have heating coils to help melt the snow, but it was so cold and there was just too much of it that it didn't work. Apparently, this was part of the problem, as it mainly heated up the dome and it became more flexible than normal, so it started to bend and hit a tipping point.
Black Pearl
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,517
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Experts believe they have determined the cause of the collapse of the
inflatable roof on the Metrodome. After numerous calculations and
measurements, they have determined that given the losing streak of the
Vikings this year a negative air pressure situation has occurred inside.
This "sucking" as experts call it has created a situation that led to the
ultimate demise of the inflatable roof accompanied with the recent heavy
snowfall. Experts also concur that even without the snow load, as the
Vikings continued to "suck" through the remainder of the season, the roof
would have eventually collapsed. The recent snowfall was conveniently used
as a scapegoat for what would have ultimately happened anyway.
inflatable roof on the Metrodome. After numerous calculations and
measurements, they have determined that given the losing streak of the
Vikings this year a negative air pressure situation has occurred inside.
This "sucking" as experts call it has created a situation that led to the
ultimate demise of the inflatable roof accompanied with the recent heavy
snowfall. Experts also concur that even without the snow load, as the
Vikings continued to "suck" through the remainder of the season, the roof
would have eventually collapsed. The recent snowfall was conveniently used
as a scapegoat for what would have ultimately happened anyway.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 14,544
Likes: 0
From: Holyoke, MA
Minnesotan here. This is about the 4th time that this has happened.
They have crews that climb up on top and brush shit off. But, after 20"+, it becomes kind of a futile attempt.
They have heating coils to help melt the snow, but it was so cold and there was just too much of it that it didn't work. Apparently, this was part of the problem, as it mainly heated up the dome and it became more flexible than normal, so it started to bend and hit a tipping point.
They have crews that climb up on top and brush shit off. But, after 20"+, it becomes kind of a futile attempt.
They have heating coils to help melt the snow, but it was so cold and there was just too much of it that it didn't work. Apparently, this was part of the problem, as it mainly heated up the dome and it became more flexible than normal, so it started to bend and hit a tipping point.
yeah I can see both those happening. nice dude.