Kinetic Structures

Heavy-Duty Kinetic Structures

We have applied our expertise in material handling to move a variety of structures for our clients including Department of Defense projects, retractable stadium roofs, and other large kinetic structures. 

Simply put, if you need a large structure moved, we can engineer the custom solution to get it done safely and reliably. 

Retractable Stadium Roofs

Through our expertise in material handling, we help give movement to some of the largest retractable stadium roofs in the world. See how Morgan helps the fans of some of the most prestigious sports organizations enjoy the game.

USTA Stadium Retractable Roofs

Rely on the team that helped end rain delays at the U.S. Open

After five consecutive years of rain delays at the U.S. Open, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) decided they needed a solution for the uncovered Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

Morgan joined with other contractors to create the ideal solution for the USTA and the 23,000 fans that enjoy the U.S. Open every year. 

This creative solution was a new retractable stadium roof consisting of two panels made of 1,000 tons of steel and tear-resistant material. Driven by Morgan, these panels can close the 250ft gap in less than 7 minutes, making it one of the fastest retractable stadium roofs in the world. 

Three years later, the USTA commissioned a second retractable stadium roof, this time for the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Rogers Centre (Formerly Toronto SkyDome) Retractable Roof

Trust Morgan Kinetic Structures for safe and reliable movement of the largest structures.

Morgan provided the mechanical drives and idler wheel assembles for the Rogers Centre, one of the largest movable structures in the world and the home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The roof comprises four trussed shell panels. Two are segments of spherical shells and two are circular shells. One spherical shell is fixed; the other three shells are mounted on bodies with steel wheels that ride on steel rails.

The driven bogies are powered by electric motors that drive the steel wheels through reduction gearing.

To open the roof, the movable spherical shell panel is rolled on a circular track and parked over the fixed spherical shell panel. The cylindrical shield panels are then rolled on straight tracks to rest over the spherical panels.

T-Mobile Field (Formerly Safeco Field) Retractable Roof

Ask how Morgan can drive your retractable stadium roof.

Morgan provided upgraded wheel assemblies to Safeco Field in Seattle, the home of the Seattle Mariners. The ballpark’s one-of-a-kind retractable roof is designed to cover but not enclose, thus preserving an open-air environment.

The structure covers nearly nine acres, weighs 22 million pounds, and contains enough steel to build a skyscraper 55 stories tall.

The three movable panels glide on 128 steel wheels powered by 96 ten-horsepower electric motors. The push of a button closes or opens the roof in an average of 10 to 20 minutes, depending on wind and other weather conditions. The roof is self-grounded in the event of lightning strikes and is designed to withstand up to seven feet of snow and sustained winds of up to 70 mph.

The project included detailed engineering and tight tolerance manufacturing of both driven and idle wheel assemblies.