Wind Engineering for the Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower

Daryl Boggs, Brent Wright, and Roy Denoon

CPP, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado USA
Wright Engineers, Las Vegas, Nevada USA
dboggs@cppwind.com

ABSTRACT
A wind tunnel model of the Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower was first tested as part
of its design in 1991, but this proved to be only the beginning of a long series of
modifications and additions that warranted additional wind-engineering
investigations lasting through 2004. These features included proposed changes in
geometry, a proposed extended spire that would have made it the worlds tallest
free-standing tower, construction challenges that required evaluation of wind loads
on partially completed segments for limited exposure periods, the addition of
several amusement rides, and the proposed addition of a variety of broadcast
antennas. Integration of wind engineering and structural design concepts have
allowed the extension of tower operations by the addition of several new attractions
without compromising structural integrity.

INTRODUCTION
The Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas, constructed in 1996, is the tallest
freestanding structure west of the Mississippi river in the U.S. Structural
engineering services were provided by a coherent team beginning with JAS
Cashdan, transitioning through Mendenhall Smith Wright (MSW), and finally Wright
Engineers. They commissioned a wind tunnel model study by Cermak Peterka
Petersen (CPP) to obtain loads on the structural frame and accelerations at the
observation level (866 ft, 264 m). At that time the project testing was relatively
straightforward. However, within one year a series of proposed structural
modifications began that warranted a wide range of follow-up wind engineering
studies. These modifications, which continued through the year 2004, included a
proposed enclosure of tower arm openings, miscellaneous enclosure of additional
space on the pod levels, a proposed spire extension reaching to a height of 557 m
(1828 ft) (which would have made it the tallest free-standing structure in the world
at that time), the addition of various amusement rides on the pod and spire; and
the proposed addition of various broadcast antennas on the spire. CPP continued
to provide wind-engineering services throughout this period, including additional
wind tunnel testing of various tower configurations, section testing of various
unusual mast lattice configurations, analytical evaluation of wind loading and
dynamic response of the proposed extended configuration including a proposed
multi-level aero elastic model test, estimated loads on various unusual
appendages, and re-evaluation of the local wind climate. These investigations were

especially insightful to the proper superposition of multimode response and

dynamic interactions in primary-secondary systems

Facts about the Stratosphere Tower

The tallest observation tower in the United States, The Stratosphere Hotel and
Casino looms over Las Vegas from a height of 1,149 feet. The observation deck is
located at 869 feet, with a sweeping 360-degree view of the Vegas Strip and the
surrounding area. The tower is also home to shops and several towering thrill rides
and the hotel itself offers shows, a buffet and restaurants, several bars and, of
course, gaming floors.

History
After more than two years of construction, the Stratosphere opened at the north
end of the Las Vegas strip with a grand opening ceremony on April, 29, 1996. The
Stratosphere stands on the location of the former Vegas World Casino.
Initially, the tower was supposed to be even taller, but this plan was scrapped when
the FAA decided that such a height would interfere with alternative flight plans for
nearby McCarran Airport.
Initially the tower featured only two rides, the Space Shot (now the Big Shot) and
the High Roller roller coaster, which no longer operates. As of April of 2010, the top
of the tower will be home to four different rides.

Hours of Operation
While the casino and hotel is open 24 hours a day, the tower and its observation
deck and rides have operating hours that are limited, if generous. The tower opens
every day at 10 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m., Sunday to Thursday and at 2 a.m. on
Fridays and Saturdays.
The tower's hours are subject to change or cancellation due to extreme weather,
particularly high winds.

Thrill Rides
The top of the Stratosphere Tower is home to four exciting rides. Tickets for each
ride can be purchased separately or as a package and an all-day pass is also
available. Tower admission is not included in the price of individual rides, but is

inclusive with ticket packages. Admission to the tower is discounted for hotel
guests and Las Vegas residents.
The Big Shot launches visitors up to a height of 1,081 feet above the strip at a
speed of 45 miles per hour. Insanity, the Ride, hurls riders out above the strip on a
64-foot arm, spinning them around at three times regular G force. X-Scream is a
giant seesaw that tilts guests out beyond the edge of the tower, more than 800 feet
from the ground.
In 2010, the Stratosphere added a new ride, the Sky Jump. It is the first of its kind
in North America, and the highest in the world. In a special suit, guided by wires,
jumpers descend the more than 100 stories from the top of the tower to street
level, experiencing a sky dive without the parachute, slowing to a stop before they
reach the ground.

References:

http://www.cppwind.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/StratosphereTower.pdf

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/stratosphere-tower-3146.html