MATERIAL STUDY: STEEL

BY PHIL HOFFMANN & DAVID LADEWIG

STRUCTURAL MATERIALS RESEARCH CATALOGUE STUDIO 703

CONTRIBUTORS ARCH 3501 - ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 4
James Donovan, Marshall Drennan, Gregory Hemmelgarn, Phil Hoffmann, Cody Johnson, David Ladewig, Laura Lopez, COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
Katherine Marshall, John Redington, Greg Roffino, Jose Sanchez, Chelsea Serrano-Piche, Leo Spurgin, Jasmine Strickland TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY - FALL 2008
 Model Development

(Left) A representation of the exterior facade at Shenzhen Airport. The goal was to capture the
ideas of how the steel support rods connect to the steel roof truss. Materials are steel wire and
aluminum rods. Scale:

(Left Center) A close-up of the underside of the roof truss system. Special attention was made on
how far the roof could cantilever.

(Left Bottom) A detail of the connection of the steel support rods into the roof truss. The rods in
the truss composition join together at one point where the support rods connect from the bottom.
It is believed that this connection is for the transfer of load to the support rods and eventually into
the base pillar.

(Below) The exterior facade of Shenzhen Airport in China. The facade consists of a cantilevered
roof structure supported by pillars, with radiating steel rods connected to the steel roof trusses.
This structure is successful because the weight of the roof at each support rod is focused into one
area in the base of the pillar which enables the space to be free. The architect takes advantage of
the qualities of steel connections and structure, leaving a natural transparent facade.
 Model Development

(Left) A representation of a “tree” structure at the Stansted Airport. The goal was to experience
how the tree is constructed and why each connection is important. Materials used are aluminum
rods, steel wire, wire mesh, and hot glue. Scale:

(Left Center) A compositional image of the “tree” model next to its origin.

(Left Bottom) A detail of the main connections in the “heart” of the tree. The focus is to identify how
the architect was able to accomplish each connection.

(Below) The exterior facade of Stansted Airport in the United Kingdom by architect Norman Fos-
ter. The 18m x 18m roof is supported by a steel “tree”. The tree consists of four pillars that are
connected horizontally by smaller diameter steel. Four steel rods from all corners extend out and
hold the base frame for the roof. The roof is held in tension by four steel cables at all corners which
is connected to what is known as the “jesus nut”. This connection holds the roof in tension and if
it were to fail, the roof would collapse, thus you would be praying for its survival.
 Model Development

(Left) A representation of a steel truss spanning a distance. The goal was to create a truss using
solder for the connections and to make it strong enough to span a long distance.

(Left Center) A ground level view of the steel truss span.

(Left Bottom) A close-up of the soldered truss connections.

(Below) A close-up of the structural steel truss roof system in the Shenzhen Airport, China. The
roof is framed by a steel arched truss connected on either side to a load-bearing wall which allows
the truss to reach a great span. There are three main steel rods that frame the truss and are con-
nected by smaller rods whos purpose is to transfer loads.
 Model Development

(Left) Research of the process of welding. A stick welder was used to weld lines on a steel plate.
The goal was to accomplish a uniform weld across a 3” width. The technique is to move at a slow
pace but quick enough that the weld doesn’t burn through the material.

(Left Center) Research of welding steel corners. A stick welder with copper wire was used to con-
nect the two plates. The technique is to hold the weld stick on the base for two parts and one part
on the top. This leaves a clean transition between the two plates.

(Left Bottom) A detail of a truss representation connected with solder. The goal was to work with a
new modeling method of soldering and represent the connections of a steel truss.

(Below) A close-up of a structural steel “tree” in the Stuttgart Airport, Germany. The same prin-
ciples of a tree are used in that there is a base which leads into branches that spread out as they
grow in height. Each branch eventually leads to support the roof structure leaving an interesting
sight with a functional purpose.
 Model Development

(Left) A representation of the 3d digital model seen below. The goal was to experiment with a steel
span and solve how it is able to be structuraly sound. Materials used are steel wire, aluminum
rods, velum, and hot glue. Scale:

(Left Center) An image showing how the arch spans over a structure. (In this case the wood block
represents the glass cube as seen below). The span is fragile until the connecting rods are ex-
tended to the ground.

(Left Bottom) A close-up of the underside of the span. The lattice consists of smaller rods that
frame the canopy.

(Below) An axonometric of a 3d digital model proposing a sports complex. The structure consists
of a glass cube that is spanned by a series of steel arches. There are five main support arches
that extend to the ground and are interconnected with a steel lattice. This image shows the abili-
ties of a steel span.