Materials Testing and Inspection for
SDSU Snapdragon Stadium
KEY INFORMATION
Project Name: San Diego State University -Snapdragon Stadium
Provided by: Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company
Client: San Diego State University (SDSU)
Location: San Diego, California
Services Provided: Materials Testing, Laboratory Testing, Construction Inspection & Testing
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The Challenge
Stadium Reconstruction on a Global Scale
Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company, is proud to have played a critical role in the construction of Snapdragon Stadium, a transformative infrastructure project for San Diego State University (SDSU) and the surrounding community. As a key component of the $530 million redevelopment of the Mission Valley West Campus, the stadium is a modern, multi-purpose venue with a seating capacity of 35,000, built to host a variety of sports, entertainment, and university events.
The Snapdragon Stadium project posed several unique challenges:
- Complex Site Development: The new stadium was constructed in a different location on the property, allowing site remediation to take place concurrently with the start of construction.
- International Coordination: Structural steel and other key components were fabricated in Thailand, Mexico, and China, requiring significant logistical coordination. Ninyo & Moore coordinated with qualified third-party firms for inspections abroad and performed special inspections on-site in the U.S.
- Diverse Construction Requirements: The scope went beyond the stadium itself, including development for future university expansion, residential and hotel zones, and 85 acres of Riverpark and open space.
With such a multifaceted scope, San Diego State University needed a trusted partner with a proven track record in infrastructure engineering, construction materials testing, and quality assurance.
Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company, is proud to have played a critical role in the construction of Snapdragon Stadium, a transformative infrastructure project for San Diego State University (SDSU) and the surrounding community. As a key component of the $530 million redevelopment of the Mission Valley West Campus, the stadium is a modern, multi-purpose venue with a seating capacity of 35,000, built to host a variety of sports, entertainment, and university events.
The Snapdragon Stadium project posed several unique challenges:
- Complex Site Development: The new stadium was constructed in a different location on the property, allowing site remediation to take place concurrently with the start of construction.
- International Coordination: Structural steel and other key components were fabricated in Thailand, Mexico, and China, requiring significant logistical coordination. Ninyo & Moore coordinated with qualified third-party firms for inspections abroad and performed special inspections on-site in the U.S.
- Diverse Construction Requirements: The scope went beyond the stadium itself, including development for future university expansion, residential and hotel zones, and 85 acres of Riverpark and open space.
With such a multifaceted scope, San Diego State University needed a trusted partner with a proven track record in infrastructure engineering, construction materials testing, and quality assurance.
The Solution
Testing, Inspection, and Engineering in Action
Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company, deployed a multidisciplinary team of experts to support the project from pre-construction meeting to the final special inspection on the new stadium. Our approach emphasized precision, coordination, and responsiveness:
- Materials Testing Laboratory Services: Our team performed materials testing in our laboratory, to verify compliance with all project specifications and building standards. Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company’s testing laboratories are inspected and accredited by the required approval agencies, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of quality and reliability.
- Reinforced Concrete Inspections: Accredited by the International Code Council (ICC), our experts conducted on-site inspection and testing of reinforced concrete. These special inspections were essential to verify the quality and placement of reinforced concrete, ensuring the stadium's structural integrity.
- Structural Steel Inspections: Inspections were focused on detecting potential defects or weaknesses in the structural steel members and connections. Beyond ensuring adherence to project plans and specifications, these evaluations contributed to overall project quality by offering actionable insights and recommendations.
- International Shop Fabrication Inspections: We provided quality control inspection and testing through third-party inspections at fabrication facilities in Thailand, Mexico and China during the pandemic to ensuring consistency and compliance with project plans and specifications. This international oversight ensured that components fabricated overseas were shipped to the project site within design standards.
- Integrated Communication: Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company, coordinated closely with SDSU project managers, designers, structural engineers and general contractors, offering real-time data and recommendations. This collaborative approach ensured issues were resolved proactively, reducing delays and cost risks.
The Results
Snapdragon Stadium, Built to Endure
Ninyo & Moore’s involvement brought measurable value to the SDSU Snapdragon Stadium project:
- Code Compliance: Rigorous construction inspection and materials testing supported compliance with regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of rework or future structural issues.
- Streamlined Global Fabrication: Our ability to connect with quality international colleagues ensured that all imported components arrived on-site ready for assembly, minimizing project delays.
- Improved Efficiency: By integrating field and laboratory testing with real-time reporting, Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company, helped keep the project on schedule and within quality targets.
- Support for Future Growth: The success of the stadium laid the groundwork for broader campus and community development, establishing SDSU as a leader in sustainable, people-focused infrastructure.
Ninyo & Moore’s involvement brought measurable value to the SDSU Snapdragon Stadium project:
- Code Compliance: Rigorous construction inspection and materials testing supported compliance with regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of rework or future structural issues.
- Streamlined Global Fabrication: Our ability to connect with quality international colleagues ensured that all imported components arrived on-site ready for assembly, minimizing project delays.
- Improved Efficiency: By integrating field and laboratory testing with real-time reporting, Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company, helped keep the project on schedule and within quality targets.
- Support for Future Growth: The success of the stadium laid the groundwork for broader campus and community development, establishing SDSU as a leader in sustainable, people-focused infrastructure.
Your Partner in High-Performance Construction
The role of Ninyo & Moore, a SOCOTEC Company, in the construction of San Diego State University’s Snapdragon Stadium, highlights our commitment to delivering precision, quality, and reliability in every project. From international shop inspections to high-performance concrete testing and structural steel inspections, we bring unparalleled expertise to complex infrastructure projects across the country.
Whether you're planning a new stadium, university expansion, or large-scale demolition and replacement project, SOCOTEC is your trusted partner for materials testing, laboratory services, and construction inspections.
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