Lightrailstation

The Hague
Lightrailstation

structural engineering, special structures  Services

ZJA Zwarts & Jansma Architects B.V.  Architect

Steel-glass construction with curved glazing on a helical steel structure

Project

To accommodate the increasing number of passengers, a separate light rail station has been constructed next to The Hague Central Station. The highlight of the station is the platform roof, made of curved glass and steel. A covered passage in the form of a striking canopy connects the column-free light rail station with the main hall of the station. The roof structure was optimized through a parametric model using various algorithms, resulting in an economical design with minimal material usage.

Curved and twisted rectangular hollow sections with single-curved direct glazing.

Steel-Glass Construction
The roof structure consists of a two-layer grid made of curved and twisted steel sections. At the node points, the two sections are rigidly connected to each other. A project-specific and also curved mounting profile is used to secure the laminated safety glass. The roof structure is supported by a linearly movable edge beam.

Helical steel structure; partially double-curved surfaces with single-curved glazing

Geometry
The overall roof geometry comprises both a single-axis curved section and a doubly curved section. Initially, the global geometry was divided into circular segments and further subdivided according to the sizes of the glass panels. In the flattened layout, all glass and steel connection points form precise right angles. In the doubly curved area, the grid geometry was designed using optimization algorithms to enable the use of single-axis curved glass panels with 90° angles.

Double-layer diamond-shaped grid shell with floating support; absorption of forced deformations from the bridge structure

Structural Design
A significant challenge in the development of the structural framework was that the curved steel-glass construction rests on differently supported structures: partly on a movable bridge structure, partly on a rigid support, and partly on the front-end structure on the station side. These varying support conditions led to forced deformations that had to be absorbed by the roof structure. Additionally, various load cases (such as snow, wind, etc.) further deformed the roof. These deformations ultimately had to be compensated by the glazing as well.

Project data

Client BAM Infra NL

Architect ZJA Zwarts & Jansma Architects B.V.

Finalization 2016

Services structural engineering, special structures

Awards European Steel Design Merit Award 2019, German Design Award 2019, WAN Transport Award 2017