Table of contents
• Breaking Down the Core Structure: More Than Just Two Screens Back-to-Back
• How Do You Solve the “Heat Trap” Problem of Dual-Sided Displays?
• The Foundation of Safety: Wind Resistance and Load Calculations
• Material Comparison: How Cabinet Types Affect Structural Design
• Maintenance Access: Front Service or Rear Service?
• Why Sostron Is the Ideal Partner for Complex Structural Projects
What Defines a High-Performance Dual-Sided LED Billboard Structure?
The engineering logic behind a dual-sided outdoor LED billboard is all about balancing bi-directional wind load and the internal heat island effect. A properly designed structure includes: deep-pile reinforced concrete foundations (to handle the doubled weight and overturning forces), a Q235B steel I-beam skeleton, and a unique “sandwich-style” ventilation channel. A well-engineered system should withstand Category 12 typhoon-level winds and, through optimized airflow design, quickly discharge heat generated by both screens—extending display lifespan by more than 30%.
Breaking Down the Core Structure: More Than Just Two Screens Back-to-Back
A common misconception among new buyers is that a dual-sided display is simply two single-sided screens mounted back-to-back. That misunderstanding often leads to structural failures. With a senior engineering and R&D team, Sostron approaches dual-sided structures as a unified integrated system.
Foundation Work
This is the backbone of the billboard. Because the wind-facing area is doubled, the structure must withstand far greater overturning forces. Depending on geological reports, Sostron uses either isolated column foundations or expanded foundations with reinforced steel calculated precisely for load requirements.
Main Support Column
Typically built with hexagonal or cylindrical steel pipes, reaching from ground to top. For large dual-sided billboards (100 m² or larger), a lattice-style steel column is required to evenly distribute stress.
Cabinet Frame Structure
This connects the LED cabinets to the support column. Sostron uses national-standard angle steel and square tubing, all treated with premium anti-corrosion coatings.
Sostron’s Perspective: Structure is not just support—it is craftsmanship. Every design drawing is completed by structural engineers with 10+ years of experience, ensuring every piece of steel is placed exactly where it has impact and value.
How Do You Solve the “Heat Trap” Problem of Dual-Sided Screens?
A dual-sided structure naturally creates a sealed cavity between the two displays. Without proper ventilation, heat accumulates quickly, accelerating LED degradation and increasing fire risk.
Sostron’s Solution: Active Airflow Engineering
Intake and Exhaust Placement
Air inlets are placed at the sides or bottom of the structure, while high-powered exhaust ports sit at the top. This layout uses natural stack effect airflow to push hot air upward and outward.
Smart Temperature-Controlled Fans
Temperature-controlled axial fans installed inside the central maintenance corridor activate automatically when internal temperatures exceed 40°C.
Integrated HVAC
For Middle Eastern or tropical projects, Sostron recommends adding industrial-grade AC units for additional cooling.
New Technology Advantage
Sostron’s latest common-cathode energy-saving technology reduces LED heat generation by about 30%, lowering the burden on the cooling system from the source.
The Foundation of Safety: Wind Resistance and Ground Load Calculations
At Sostron, safety is not an afterthought—it’s the company’s core principle. Outdoor billboards are often located in busy public spaces, so structural reliability is non-negotiable.
Wind Resistance
Standard design must withstand Category 12 winds (32.7–36.9 m/s). Dual-sided structures introduce more complex wind-resistance coefficients due to added torque caused by crosswinds on the central column.
Earthquake Protection
Designs follow local seismic intensity requirements, typically engineered to withstand magnitude-8 conditions.
Lightning Protection
A lightning rod must be installed at the top, with grounding resistance below 4 ohms (or below 1 ohm for shared grounding systems).
Material Comparison: How Cabinet Types Influence Structural Design
Load calculations depend heavily on the weight of the LED cabinets. Below is data from Sostron’s engineering lab to guide your choice:
| Feature | Simple Iron Cabinets | Standard Waterproof Iron | Die-Cast Aluminum Cabinets | Impact on Structural Design |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (kg/m²) | 45–55 | 50–60 | 28–32 | Aluminum reduces structural load significantly |
| Flatness | Average | Average | Excellent (CNC machined) | Smaller seams require tighter structural tolerances |
| Heat Dissipation | Poor | Moderate | Excellent | Aluminum lowers fan dependence |
| Rust Resistance | Requires paint | Powder coated | Rust-free | Best for coastal high-salt areas |
| Best Use Case | Ultra-low budget | Standard outdoor LED | Premium / large / dual-sided displays | Strongly recommended for dual-sided screens |
While die-cast aluminum cabinets cost slightly more upfront, they reduce steel structure and installation labor costs by about 20%—aligning with Sostron’s “total cost optimization” strategy.
Maintenance Access: Front Service or Rear Service?
Customers often ask: “How do you repair a dual-sided screen? Do we need a crane?”
That depends on the maintenance access design.
Rear Service (Internal Maintenance Corridor)
Design: A 60–80 cm walkway between the two screens.
Pros: Technicians enter via an internal ladder—safe, weather-independent, accessible anytime.
Cons: Increases overall thickness (typically 1.2–1.5 m).
Sostron Recommendation: This is the standard for large pole-mounted billboards and reflects responsible design that prioritizes technician safety.
Front Service (No Internal Corridor)
Design: Front-opening or rotating modules.
Pros: Slimmer profile, lightweight, visually clean.
Cons: Requires a boom lift; high-altitude work risk increases.
Sostron Recommendation: Ideal for wall-mounted or space-limited dual-sided installations.
Why Sostron Is the Best Partner for Complex Structural LED Projects
Engineering a dual-sided billboard requires more than LED knowledge—it requires civil engineering expertise.
15,000 m² Advanced Manufacturing Facility
Unlike trading companies, Sostron owns its hardware workshop and aging laboratory. We can customize special-shaped cabinets or corner modules and perform full 72-hour pre-shipment assembly tests.
Projects Across 70+ Countries
From Dubai’s scorching deserts to Russia’s freezing tundra, Sostron’s dual-sided screens have proven themselves in extreme environments. Our senior engineering team is familiar with global building codes, ensuring drawings pass approval on the first submission.
Full-Service Engineering Support
We don’t just sell screens. We provide complete solutions—from CAD structural drawings to steel structure calculations to installation guidance.
Sostron’s Commitment
Whether in service, innovation, or delivery, we uphold efficiency and responsibility to give you a truly worry-free LED display solution.
Get Your Custom Structural Plan
Want your dual-sided LED billboard to be safer and last longer? Don’t gamble with structural integrity.
Contact the Sostron team today to receive:
• Free CAD structural installation drawings
• Wind-load and weight-bearing calculations tailored to your project
• Factory-direct pricing
References:
AISC Steel Construction Manual
ASCE 7 – Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures
