Understanding Load Paths from LED Screens, Line Arrays, Lighting Systems and Temporary Structures to the Ground
A large stadium concert stage may appear to be a collection of visual elements:
Giant LED screens.
Powerful line array speakers.
Complex lighting systems.
Large roof structures.
Audience platforms.
FOH towers.
Relay speaker towers.
However, from an engineering perspective, the most important question is not only how these components are installed, but:
How are the loads created by these heavy systems transferred safely through temporary structures and finally into the ground?
During the construction of the 2026 Guangzhou Pearl Beer Festival Music Festival, many different heavy systems were integrated into one temporary event infrastructure.
The project included:
A hydraulic main-stage roof.
Large Ringlock structures.
Multiple LED walls.
Suspended line-array systems.
Large lighting trusses.
FOH control structures.
Relay speaker towers.
Temporary stage systems.
Each component created different types of loads.
Some created mainly vertical loads.
Some created dynamic loads.
Some created overturning forces caused by wind or suspended equipment.
A safe concert structure depends on understanding the complete load path.
The engineering principle can be summarized as:
Equipment
↓
Support Structure
↓
Primary Structure
↓
Base System
↓
Ground Protection
↓
Existing Stadium Surface
The equipment itself is only the beginning of the load system.
What Are the Major Heavy Loads in a Stadium Concert?
A stadium concert contains many large components, but their structural requirements are different.
The same support method cannot be used everywhere.
Equipment
Location
Approximate Scale
Main Support Method
Main LED Screen
Rear of main stage
20m × 16m
Stage platform
Side LED Screens
Both sides of stage
Each 20m × 16m
Ringlock structure
FOH LED Screens
Audience area
14m × 10m
FOH Ringlock structure
Main Line Array
Front of stage
16 cabinets per side
Apron cantilever beam
Relay Speaker Tower
Stadium center
12 cabinets per side
Independent tower structure
Moving Beam Lighting
Curved stage trusses
36 units
Aluminium curved truss
Strobe Lighting
Curved stage trusses
36 units
Aluminium curved truss
Roof Lighting
Main roof truss
4 groups
Roof rigging system
Hoisting Motors
Roof system
42 motors
Roof structure
This table shows an important engineering principle:
The heavier the equipment is, the more important the support path becomes.
A 10-ton LED wall and a 10-ton speaker system do not necessarily require the same structural solution.
The location, height, wind exposure and dynamic behaviour determine the correct design.
Understanding Load Paths in Temporary Concert Structures
In permanent buildings, loads are usually transferred through columns, beams and foundations.
Temporary event structures follow the same engineering logic, but the systems are modular and removable.
Every load must have a controlled path.
For example:
LED Load Path
LED Cabinet
↓
Support Beam
↓
Ringlock / Stage Structure
↓
Base Plate + Adjustable Jack
↓
Ground Protection
↓
Stadium Surface
Line Array Load Path
Speaker System
↓
Rigging Hardware
↓
Truss / Beam
↓
Main Structural Frame
↓
Base System
↓
Ground
Ballast Load Path
Water Tank
↓
Support Platform
↓
Ringlock Ledger System
↓
Vertical Standard
↓
Base Jack
↓
Ground Protection
The purpose of engineering is not only to support weight.
It is to control where the weight travels.
How Are Large LED Screen Loads Managed?
Large LED screens are among the most visible heavy loads in a concert venue.
However, different LED locations require different structural solutions.
During this project, three different LED support methods were observed.
Main Stage Background LED Screen
The main background LED screen was approximately:
Width: 20m
Height: 16m
Unlike suspended LED systems, this screen was installed directly on the main stage platform.
Its load path was:
LED Cabinet
↓
Stage Support System
↓
Stage Deck
↓
Ringlock Stage Structure
↓
Base System
↓
Ground
This method has several advantages:
Shorter load transfer path.
Easier maintenance.
Reduced roof loading.
Better stability for a large rear screen.
The main LED does not need to be supported by the roof because the stage itself provides a direct structural platform.
Side LED Screens on Ringlock Structures
The two side LED structures were significantly different.
Each side was approximately:
Width: 20m
Height: 16m
They were installed on large Ringlock structures.
The observed side Ringlock dimensions were approximately:
Height: 21m
Width: 24m
Depth: 6m
These Ringlock systems were not simple screen holders.
They also supported:
Line arrays.
Lighting equipment.
Maintenance access.
Technical working areas.
The load path became:
LED Screen
↓
Steel Square Tube Support Beam
↓
Ringlock Ledger
↓
Ringlock Standard
↓
Base Plate
↓
Adjustable Jack
↓
Ground Protection
The steel square tubes at the bottom of the LED structure were used to:
Level the LED cabinets.
Distribute the cabinet load.
Reduce alignment errors.
The installation logic of LED screens on Ringlock structures is discussed further in:
On grass areas, additional modular plastic flooring was used.
The purpose was:
Load distribution.
Surface protection.
Stable working conditions.
Reduced point pressure.
A structure may be strong enough, but if the ground beneath cannot receive the load safely, the entire system becomes unsafe.
How Are Stage Deck Loads Managed?
The main stage itself is also a heavy load system.
Observed stage height:
Approximately 2 metres.
The structure followed a standard Ringlock stage configuration with:
Vertical supports.
Cross braces.
Base adjustment systems.
The load path:
Stage Surface
↓
Deck Frame
↓
Ringlock Support
↓
Cross Bracing
↓
Base Jack
↓
Ground Protection
The stage must support:
Performers.
Instruments.
Equipment.
LED systems.
Moving loads.
Why Can’t Heavy Equipment Be Placed Anywhere?
One of the biggest misunderstandings about event construction is:
If the structure is strong, why not put the equipment anywhere?
Because strength alone is not enough.
Engineers must consider:
Load Location
A 1-ton load in the centre of a structure is different from a 1-ton load at the edge.
Load Concentration
A small contact area creates higher local pressure.
Structural Connection
The load must enter through designed members.
Ground Condition
The surface below must also receive the load.
Stability
Some loads create overturning forces rather than only downward pressure.
For example:
A water tank.
A speaker tower.
A suspended LED frame.
All require different solutions.
Engineering Trade-Offs in Heavy Load Management
Large event structures always involve balancing different requirements.
Engineering Choice
Purpose
Aluminium roof system
Reduce dead load while maintaining strength
Ringlock structure
Flexible high-capacity modular support
Steel support beams
Improve LED alignment and load distribution
Ballast tanks
Increase stability against movement
Ground protection system
Protect stadium surface and distribute pressure
Adjustable bases
Correct uneven ground conditions
The goal is not to make every component stronger.
The goal is to create a complete, balanced system.
Conclusion
Heavy equipment management is one of the most important parts of large concert engineering.
The challenge is not simply supporting weight.
It is controlling how every load travels:
From:
LED cabinets.
Speakers.
Lighting fixtures.
Roof systems.
Platforms.
Ballast tanks.
Through:
Trusses.
Ringlock structures.
Beams.
Columns.
Base systems.
Into:
Ground protection.
Stadium surfaces.
A successful temporary concert structure is therefore not built by adding stronger components randomly.
It is created by designing a complete load-transfer system.
In large event engineering, safety does not come from one strong element. It comes from every load having a clear and controlled path from equipment to ground.
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