1. Which Exhibition Centers Are Suitable for Steel Structure Construction?
1. Truss structure (mainly used in the main exhibition hall, central exhibition hall, etc.)
Truss structures have significant advantages in exhibition center construction: the use of steel tube trusses can easily achieve a 160-meter single-span column-free space, which is equivalent to 22 standard basketball courts running horizontally, completely breaking the pain point of traditional exhibition hall columns blocking the view, and the column-free space can also increase the utilization rate by 15%-20%. The triangular unit structure allows the rods to bear only axial force, and the material strength utilization rate reaches 95%.
High construction efficiency: The rate of prefabricated modular components in the factory reaches 95%, and the on-site assembly period can be shortened by 40% compared with the traditional mode. The main structure of a 100,000 square meter exhibition hall can be completed in only 120 days.
Rich functional expansion: The load-bearing capacity reaches 8t/㎡, which can meet the exhibition requirements of special exhibits such as heavy machinery exhibitions and aerospace exhibitions; the intelligent lifting and hanging point system supports the rapid construction of three-dimensional exhibition devices.
Changeable shape design: The truss structure has significant advantages in meeting the diversified shape requirements of the exhibition hall. The special-shaped truss can achieve complex shapes such as curved surfaces and spirals by adjusting the spatial angle of the rods (such as the “fish leap” shape of the National Maritime Museum).
Cost reference: The unit cost is about $350-450 USD/㎡, and the comprehensive cost in large-span scenarios is 25% lower than that of the concrete solution.
2. Innovation of the form of the grid structure (dome exhibition hall, temporary exhibition hall)
The three-dimensional space grid system, such as the “metal dome,” covers the exhibition hall, with a maximum span of 120 meters. The curved surface shape supports the design of special-shaped skylights to achieve the integration of natural lighting and architectural aesthetics.
Flexible expansion: The detachable modular unit supports “dismantle and build”, and a 5,000㎡ temporary exhibition hall can be built within 72 hours, meeting the characteristics of short exhibition cycles and changing venue requirements.
Environmental advantages: Steel is 100% recyclable, construction waste is reduced by 90%, and carbon emissions are 55% lower than concrete, which is in line with the concept of green exhibitions.
Cost reference: The unit cost is $280-350 USD/㎡, suitable for temporary scenes such as touring exhibitions and outdoor exhibitions.
3. Steel structure multi-storey complex (supporting the exhibition center)
Vertical integration: The three-dimensional transportation system is designed based on BIM, and the main construction period of buildings below 6 floors only takes 75 days, integrating exhibition halls, conference rooms, commercial facilities, and underground logistics channels.
Intelligent operation: Equipped with facial recognition gates, exhibit tracking systems, and energy management platforms, the traffic efficiency is increased by 30%, and energy consumption is reduced by 20%.
Disaster resistance: The earthquake resistance is level 8, the wind resistance level is level 12, and the anti-continuous collapse design ensures the safety of personnel. It has passed the GB50011-2010 earthquake resistance test.
Cost reference: unit cost is $320-400 USD/㎡, suitable for large-scale convention and exhibition center complexes.
Why are Steel Structures the Preferred Construction Method for Exhibition Centers of All Sizes Around the World?
1. The varied shapes can freely divide the space and reshape the exhibition layout
High-strength steel creates a large space without columns, and exhibitors can flexibly divide booths, breaking through the limitations of the traditional “cubicle” of the exhibition hall. This design is particularly suitable for innovative exhibition forms such as immersive art exhibitions and large-scale theme exhibitions. The steel structure exhibition hall made of trusses is not only powerful, but its beautiful shape shows multi-dimensional curved surfaces, which significantly increases the visual appeal and brings a more unique experience to the audience.
2. Build quickly to seize the opportunity
Factory prefabrication + on-site assembly mode shortens the construction period: the main structure of the 20,000 square meters exhibition hall can be completed within 90 days, which is 150 days shorter than the concrete solution, and has more advantages in responding to emergency exhibition needs. The modular interface design supports “exhibition and expansion at the same time”, and the connection of new exhibition halls can be completed simultaneously during the exhibition without affecting normal operations.
3. Green and sustainable, responding to ESG
The photovoltaic integrated roof (BIPV system) can be added to cover 40% of the exhibition hall’s electricity consumption. With the ground source heat pump system, the comprehensive energy saving rate can reach 35%. The exterior wall can use 200mm rock wool sandwich panels with a sound insulation of 60dB to isolate external noise interference; the reusability rate of detachable components exceeds 85%, reducing the carbon footprint of the entire life cycle.
4. Safety guarantee, worry-free exhibition
The fire resistance limit is 3 hours, and it is equipped with a full-process fire monitoring system and an emergency evacuation simulation system to ensure the safety of exhibitions with tens of thousands of people. The IoT module can be integrated to monitor the temperature and humidity, light intensity, and crowd density of the exhibition hall in real time.
Application Scenarios of the Steel Structure Exhibition Center
| Scene Type | Technical Solution | Core Performance | Cost reference |
| International Exhibition Center | 160m long span space truss + multi-layer steel structure | Can accommodate 2000+ standard booths, with an annual exhibition area of over 500,000 square meters | $800–950 USD/㎡ |
| Professional Theme Pavilion | Grid structure + intelligent variable exhibition wall | Supports exhibit load of 10t/㎡, and exhibition efficiency is increased by 40% | $550–700 USD/㎡ |
| Temporary / Travelling Exhibitions | Modular light steel structure + quick disassembly and assembly system | The construction can be completed in 48 hours, and the area of a single module is 500-2000㎡ | Single module USD 120,000 |
| Convention and exhibition complex | Steel structure frame + glass curtain wall system | Vertical space utilization increased by 250%, integrated with dining and conference functions. | $450–600 USD/㎡ |
Steel Structure vs. Traditional Concrete: An In-Depth Comparison of Exhibition Scenarios
| Core indicators | Steel structure scheme | Traditional concrete solution |
| Maximum single span | 160 meters of column-free space | ≤30 meters (need dense columns) |
| 20,000㎡ Construction period | 90 days to complete the main construction | 270 days (including maintenance) |
| Flexibility in exhibition layout | Modular partition walls can be quickly assembled and disassembled | Wall reconstruction requires demolition and takes a long time |
| Carbon emissions | 1.2tCO₂/㎡ (63% reduction) | 3.3tCO₂/㎡ |
| Renovation cost | Adjustment of local components reduces costs by 70% | Structural demolition generates a large amount of construction waste |
| Earthquake resistance | Level 8 (GB50011) | Level 6-7, high-intensity areas need reinforcement |
Key Components and Technical Standards
Load-bearing system
Steel columns: Q355B/A572/S355JR high-strength steel is used, with a compressive strength of 345MPa, and the column distance can reach 18 meters, reducing the number of columns in the exhibition hall.
Space truss: Box section, maximum span of 160 meters, optimized wind load of 1.5kN/㎡ through wind tunnel test.
Wind-resistant columns: Typhoon-proof support system is configured in coastal areas to withstand a level 12 typhoon (wind speed 32.7m/s).
Roof and enclosure system
Smart roof: Double-layer corrugated steel plate + 150mm insulation cotton, photovoltaic glass transmittance of 55%, effectively increasing power generation efficiency.
Flexible partition wall: Prefabricated aluminum alloy frame + replaceable finish, support booth partition adjustment within 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can steel structure exhibition halls meet the requirements of carrying heavy exhibits?
Under normal circumstances, steel structure exhibition halls can meet the load-bearing requirements of heavy exhibits. The design load capacity of many large steel structure exhibition halls in the world can even reach 5 tons per square meter, such as the multi-story heavy-duty exhibition halls of Shandong International Convention and Exhibition Center, Hangzhou Convention and Exhibition Center, and Canton Fair Complex Project, all of which can carry exhibits such as heavy machinery and trucks. Steel structures achieve high load-bearing capacity through high-strength steel and large-span design (such as column-free space from 72 meters to 119.5 meters), and use segmented welding, sliding technology, and other processes during construction to ensure structural stability. XTD Steel Structure uses ultra-heavy-duty H-shaped steel trusses, and the ground load design can reach 12kN/㎡. It has provided a solution for a single booth to carry an 80-ton excavator for a certain engineering machinery exhibition, through structural mechanics verification and on-site load testing.
2. Can temporary steel pavilions guarantee safety?
Temporary steel pavilions can fully guarantee public safety for the following reasons:
- High construction standards: Temporary steel structure exhibition halls also need to follow complete and reasonable construction standards and safety regulations to ensure the stability of the structure.
- High-quality materials: High-quality steel and connectors are used during the installation process to enhance load-bearing capacity and durability.
- Site assessment: A detailed site assessment is conducted before construction, taking into account foundation and environmental factors.
- Regular inspection: Regular inspections are carried out during the exhibition to ensure the safety of the structure under various conditions.
- Professional supervision: Design and supervision by professional engineers and architects to ensure that all safety measures are in place.
In summary, through reasonable design and strict management, temporary steel structure exhibition halls can effectively ensure public safety.
At the same time, the safety level of the steel structure temporary exhibition hall is consistent with the standards of permanent buildings. The modular steel structure strictly follows the ISO 3834 quality standard, and all components are tested for flaw detection before leaving the factory. In addition, the temporary exhibition hall is equipped with an independent foundation and windproof cables to ensure that it remains stable at all times under strong winds.
3. Is the subsequent maintenance cost of a steel structure exhibition hall high?
The post-maintenance cost of steel structure exhibition halls is generally controllable and economical in the long term. Its maintenance cost mainly comes from regular anti-corrosion treatment, structural inspection, fire protection system maintenance,e and cleaning and maintenance, and the average annual cost usually accounts for 5%-10% of the initial cost. For example, a medium-sized exhibition hall may need to invest 60,000 to 100,000 yuan per year for anti-corrosion coating renewal, weld inspection, and fire retardant coating maintenance. Environmental factors have a significant impact on costs. In humid, high-salt, or industrially polluted areas, the maintenance frequency and cost may increase by 30%-50%. However, by adopting high-performance anti-corrosion steel, optimizing drainage design, implementing a preventive maintenance plan, and introducing intelligent monitoring technology, long-term maintenance costs can be significantly reduced. Compared with concrete structures, although steel structures require more frequent maintenance, their advantages, such as fast construction speed, high space utilization, and recyclable materials, make the full life cycle cost often more competitive. As long as a scientific 10-20 year maintenance plan is formulated and strictly implemented, steel structure exhibition halls can fully achieve economical and reasonable operation and maintenance while ensuring safety.
4. Can the exterior design of the steel structure exhibition hall meet the diverse design requirements?
The exterior design of the steel structure exhibition hall can fully meet the diverse design requirements, which is mainly due to the excellent plasticity of the special-shaped truss structure and the support of modern technology. The high strength and lightweight characteristics of steel enable it to achieve complex geometric shapes, such as curved roofs, wavy facades, or spiral structures. These designs not only break through the morphological limitations of traditional building but also ensure structural stability through precise mechanical calculations. The special-shaped truss structure transforms the designer’s creativity into actual buildings through digital modeling (such as BIM technology) and prefabrication technology. For example, the special-shaped structural tube truss and glass combination of the Pompidou Center in France or the iconic form of the Beijing Bird’s Nest Stadium all show the high integration of steel structure in aesthetics and functionality. In addition, the flexible cutting and welding characteristics of steel support modular construction, which can quickly realize large-span column-free space (such as a span of more than 45 meters), and can adapt to future renovation needs, taking into account both environmental protection and economy. Therefore, whether it is the pursuit of futuristic streamlined design or the need to coordinate with the cultural environment, Personalized expression, steel structure pavilions can be perfectly realized through special-shaped truss technology.
5. How does the steel structure exhibition hall perform in terms of sound insulation?
Steel structure exhibition halls have significant advantages in sound insulation performance. Through modern technical means, they can surpass traditional buildings, which is specifically reflected in the following aspects:
1. The core advantages of steel structure sound insulation
- Modular design improves sound insulation accuracy.
Steel structures use factory prefabricated components, combined with BIM technology to achieve millimeter-level assembly accuracy, and the node sealing is better than the masonry joints of traditional brick-concrete structures. For example, the steel structure exhibition hall can achieve airborne sound insulation of 55-60dB through double-layer walls (light steel keel + 12mm gypsum board + 50mm rock wool), while the traditional 240mm brick wall is only 45- 50 dB. High-efficiency absorption and isolation of the composite sound insulation system: Steel structures can integrate sound-absorbing materials (such as polyester fiber cotton, perforated aluminum plates) and sound insulation layers (such as sound insulation felt, damping glue) to form a triple barrier of “sound absorption-sound insulation-vibration reduction”. For example, the roof of a gymnasium uses color steel sandwich panels + foam metal sound absorption layers + spring shock-absorbing mechanisms, which reduces low-frequency noise by more than 20 dB.
- Cavity resonance control: After the steel structure cavity is filled with sound-absorbing cotton, the cavity resonance effect can be used to absorb low-frequency noise (such as equipment vibration), while traditional concrete structures find it difficult to achieve similar effects due to their dense structure.
- Flexible response to large-span requirements
- The large-span column-free space of the steel structure exhibition hall (such as more than 50 meters) can solve the structural load-bearing and acoustic problems simultaneously through specially shaped trusses + acoustic ceilings (such as FCB fiber cement boards), while traditional concrete needs to rely on thick partition walls, sacrificing space utilization.
2. Sound insulation comparison with traditional buildings
| Indicator | Steel Structure Pavilion | Traditional brick/concrete structure |
| Sound insulation design flexibility | Customizable multi-layer composite wall (such as light steel keel + sound-absorbing cotton + sound insulation board) | Reliance on a single material (such as aerated concrete blocks) makes renovation difficult. |
| Low-frequency sound insulation performance | Effective suppression of structure-borne sound through damping coatings and elastic connections | Low-frequency sound waves are easily transmitted through rigid walls (such as impact sound) |
| Construction controllability | Factory prefabrication reduces the risk of sound leakage at on-site joints. | The masonry process is prone to gaps, which require later caulking treatment |
| Environmental protection | Recyclable materials account for more than 70%, and the sound insulation layer is pollution-free | Traditional soundproofing materials (such as mineral wool) may contain pollutants such as formaldehyde |
XTD Steel Structure: Exhibition Infrastructure Innovator
In the construction of landmarks such as exhibition centers, we use technology to reshape the possibilities of space. So far, we have successfully delivered more than 30 large-scale exhibition center projects. Through the full chain service of BIM forward design – intelligent manufacturing – precise installation, we build each exhibition hall into a “smart space” to help customers seize the initiative in the wave of the exhibition economy.