Roof structure for the new Zaragoza Delicias station. Concept and design

One of the main infrastructures on the new high-speed railway from Madrid to Barcelona is the Zaragoza Delicias station with its outstanding roof. The paper describes the basic ideas for the conceptual design of the roof structure, bearing in mind the complex interactions between geometry, functionality, construction materials, manufacturing, erection, structural overall-concept and detailing. The adopted solution is described and the importance of a consistent conceptual design is emphasised in order to obtaining a reliable, functional and economic structure. Some hints concerning the construction are also given. The example shows that the success of a structural design strongly depends on a good co-operation between the owner, the architect and the structural engineer. It further shows that an architectural design may be improved through structural considerations.