A pilot project at Munich’s Olympic Stadium demonstrate how safety-relevant screw connections in steel construction can be monitored digitally. Here, existing screw connections on the visitor platform integrated into the roof were supplemented with fischer SensorBolts. These intelligent, high-strength screws feature integrated force measurement and transmission technology to measure
their preload forces in real-time, thus enabling greater transparency and safety in building operation.
Special feature of steel construction: The filigree tent roof of Munich’s Olympic Stadium was honoured with the title “Historical Landmark of Engineering in Germany” on 22 September 2023.
Image Courtesy of: Sandra Alkado
The Munich Olympic Stadium is unique in terms of steel construction – not least because of its filigree tent roof, which was honoured with the title “Historic Landmark of Engineering in
Germany” on 22 September 2023. With an area of around 78,000 m², it covers almost half of the stadium as well as the adjacent halls (Olympic Hall and Swimming Hall) and intermediate roofs. At a height of around 40 to 50 m above the playing field, secured walkways lead across the roof structure, which are directly integrated into the filigree steel cable construction.
On a “tent roof tour”, visitors equipped with climbing gear can walk on the iconic tent roof – with a view over Munich, down onto the playing field, and, on a clear day, all the way to the Alps. All connections on the visitor platform must be absolutely reliable, additional safety requirements arise from the “Flying Fox”: a 200-metre-long zip line that runs across the stadium lawn at a height of around 35 metres and, if desired, forms the conclusion of the tour.
Modern then and now: The tent roof of Munich’s Olympic Stadium is a classic example of lightweight construction from the 1970s and remains groundbreaking to this day.
Image Courtesy of: Fischer
High-strength connections digitally monitored Munich’s municipal utilities have now successfully supplemented the screw connections on the visitor platform of the Olympic Stadium with fischer SensorBolts. These sensor-integrated bolts meet the safety requirements for heavily frequented and safety-relevant areas. Attached directly to the screw head, a sensor measures the preload force – the decisive factor in steel construction for indicating how tightly components are clamped together with the screw. A second sensor records the temperature, thus also taking environmental influences into account. Each SensorBolt is equipped with a SensorNode, which securely transmits the measured values – in kilonewtons (kN) – from the bolts to a gateway installed in the stadium. From there, the data is sent to cloud storage with end to-end encryption and made accessible via a customer-specific dashboard. This allows stadium operators to conveniently view the condition of the fastening points at any time and from any location via PC or smartphone – in real-time.
High up: Visitors can walk on the iconic tent roof made of steel cables and Plexiglas panels during guided tours at Munich’s Olympic Stadium.
Image Courtesy of: Fischer
The next level of intelligent screw technology in view “With our SensorBolts, we are taking intelligent screw technology to the next level,” emphasises Dr Daniel Rill, Product Manager for Connected Products at fischer. Until now, it has been very costly to determine the preload forces of installed screws in classic building operations – especially over longer periods of time and under changing loads. “Our sensor innovation now makes it possible to continuously monitor the screw connections remotely and collect precise, real-time data on their condition – including information on how forces change over time due to wind, temperature or snow loads, for example,” Dr Daniel Rill continues. “The result is a significant increase in operational safety and controllability – especially in safety-critical areas such as the visitor platform of the Olympic Stadium in Munich.” Safe and economical building operation is a clear advantage here. Dr Daniel Rill emphasises: “The integration of our SensorBolts into safety concepts allows for more targeted planning of maintenance measures. This reduces downtime and lowers costs – while further optimising the already very high safety standards of the visitor platform and extending its service life even further.”
Firmly connected, digitally networked: A pilot project at Munich’s Olympic Stadium using fischer SensorBolts demonstrates a new level of monitoring of safety-relevant screw connections in steel construction.
Image Courtesy of: Fischer
Structural health monitoring is advancing “Our SensorBolts make screw connections smarter, more future-proof and absolutely reliable – a milestone for the safe, sustainable and economical monitoring and maintenance of buildings and facilities,” summarises Martin Neumann, Head of Connected Products at the fischer Group. The SensorBolt is the latest addition to the fischer Construction Monitoring portfolio of digitally equipped fasteners, which also includes the SensorAnchor anchor rod and the SensorDisc washer. All three IoT-connected products enable the documentation and monitoring of structures and facilities. The condition of fastening points can be viewed in real-time via smartphone or PC – even remotely. “This improves maintenance efficiency, enables cost savings, increases safety, reduces downtime and extends the service life of the objects,” emphasises Martin Neumann. The first pilot projects are running very successfully – further fields of application are in the planning stage.
Safety at lofty heights: fischer SensorBolts supplement the existing screw connections on the visitor platform of Munich’s Olympic Stadium, enabling continuous digital monitoring of safety-critical fastening points up to 50 metres above ground.
Image Courtesy of: Fischer
fischer Group
The fischer Group of Companies, headquartered in Waldachtal in Germany’s northern Black Forest, generated sales of 1.11 billion euros in 2024 with a worldwide staff of 4,700 employees. The family-owned company runs 51 operational companies worldwide and exports to about 120 countries. It includes the four divisions fischer fixing systems, fischertechnik, fischer Consulting and fischer Electronic Solutions. fischer fixing systems is the technological market leader in key areas of fixing technology. fischer offers products that deliver technical perfection to a wide range of customers, from do-it-yourselfers to tradespeople to key account partners.
With its construction kits, fischertechnik operates across both the toy market and the education sector. As one of the few toy manufacturers, fischertechnik develops and manufactures its products primarily in Germany. fischer Consulting evolved from the competence developed in the company itself, which includes the fischer ProcessSystem with its central aim of permanent improvement for the ultimate benefit of the customer. fischer Consulting advises small and medium-sized businesses, government agencies and major companies on their path towards lean and efficient processes.
fischer Electronic Solutions develops and manufactures custom electronic solutions for the industrial and medical sectors, with a focus on long-term partnerships and tailor-made, high-quality solutions. As a partner in innovation, fischer Electronic Solutions is breaking new ground together with its customers to build a successful future.
On the Internet: www.fischer.group
