March 2026 Dinner Meeting - A Wildcat Formation: Structural Design of the New Ryan Field

This fall, a new cutting-edge college football stadium is set to open north of Chicago at Northwestern University. This presentation will review the major structural challenges and key features of the 35,000 seat, $800M venue. Topics will include unique site conditions and below grade structure, as well as highlights of the steel frame design such as the 100-foot canopy wrapping the entire bowl. Learning Objectives -Gain knowledge in key structural considerations of stadium design -Familiarization with longspan steel design and erection strategies -Gain understanding of structural solutions for below grade construction in areas of high water table 1.0 of CE Credit Presenters: Karen Grossett and Brad Toellner