The new World Cycling Center

This paper describes the most important steps in conception and in the construction of the World Cycling Center, built in Aigle from 2000 to 2002. The cycle track includes an arena of 200 m length and venues for 700 spectators. The 5000 m exp 2 of roof were covered with a pneumatic membrane. To provide good watertightness and sufficient insulation, two PVC layers were connected to confine a volume of 20000 m exp 3 of over pressured air. Static loads are transferred form the pneumatic membrane to the ground by means of an elliptical ring composed by a border tubular structure combined to an inner bi-pyramidal tensegrity structure supported by 28 columns located along the perimeter of the arena. The stability of the structure is obtained by prestressing the diagonal rods of the tensegrity. The inner pressure of the air chamber is controlled by the relative displacements between the upper membrane and the steel structure.