TYPE | Cultural & Educational Facilities | LOCATION | Shenyang |
MATERIAL | KIN TARPO DR | YEAR | 2023 |
AREA | 26000㎡ |
Background
The Shenyang International Exhibition Center, constructed in 2009 and opened in 2010, was built to meet the demands of large-scale industrial exhibitions in Northeast China. It ranks fifth nationally and first in Northeast China in terms of overall scale. A comprehensive renovation was undertaken in 2023 with a tight 90-day timeline. As a key exhibition landmark in Northeast China, its structure features large spans and expansive spaces. The roof is a complex metal structure covering a large area with numerous irregular details and changes in drainage slope, demanding high integrity and adaptability from the waterproofing system. Northeast China experiences severe winter cold, with temperatures dropping below -30°C, and heavy summer rain. Metal roofs are susceptible to seam displacement from thermal movement, and traditional materials struggle with repeated freeze-thaw cycles and dynamic deformation, risking cracking and leaks. The 90-day renovation schedule was extremely tight, requiring high-quality construction within a short period to minimize disruption to venue operations, all while avoiding damage to the existing steel structure and roof substrate.
Solution
The roof renovation utilized KIN TARPO DR TPO waterproofing membrane. This thermoplastic polyolefin membrane offers key advantages: exceptional low-temperature flexibility down to -40°C, allowing it to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the metal roof without cracking; outstanding weatherability and aging resistance, verified by accelerated aging tests, to withstand intense UV, rain, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles in Northeast China; and hot-air welding construction. Seams are fused seamlessly, creating a continuous, monolithic waterproof barrier that fundamentally eliminates water infiltration paths. To meet the 90-day deadline, the construction team implemented parallel zone-based work, dividing the roof into segments for simultaneous construction, effectively shortening the overall schedule. Specialized tools and equipment were used throughout the process to avoid mechanical damage to the existing steel structure and roof substrate.
Outcomes
No leaks have occurred since the renovation. The roof system has successfully endured two complete winter-summer cycles in Northeast China, maintaining excellent performance during extreme cold and heavy rainfall, protecting the interior exhibition areas, equipment rooms, and electrical systems. The use of KIN TARPO DR TPO membrane and hot-air welding not only solved the waterproofing challenges of the large-span metal roof but also significantly improved construction efficiency, enabling the completion of the 90-day renovation with minimal disruption to venue operations. The successful application provides a valuable technical example for similar waterproofing renovation projects on complex metal roofs in cold regions.
