BUILDING

CONSTRUCTION

SPACE FRAME
DEFINITION:
 A three-dimensional structures.
 The assembled linear elements are arranged to
transfer the load.
 Take a form of a flat surface or curve surface.
 Designed with no intermediate columns to create
large open area.
Load Distribution
TYPES OF SPACE FRAME
1) Two and three-way grids
 Characterized as two way or three way

2) Single, Double and Triple Layered

 Single layer frame has to be singly or doubly
curved.
 Commonly used space frames are double
layered and flat.
 Triple layered is practically used for a large
span building.
COMPONENTS OF SPACE
FRAME
 Consists of axial members : which are tubes
and connectors
TUBES
1) Circular Hollow Sections

2) Rectangular Hollow Sections

CONNECTORS
1) Tuball Node Connector
 A hollow sphere made of spheroidal graphite
 The end of the circular hollow section member
to be connected is fitted at its ends by welding.
 Connection from inside the cup is using bolt
and nut.
2) Nodus Connector
 It can accept both rectangular and circular
hollow sections and that the cladding can be
fixed directly to the chords.
 Chord connectors have to be welded to the
ends of the hollow members on site.
3) Triodetic Connector
 It consists of a hub, usually an aluminium
extrusion, that has slots or key ways, which the
ends of members are pressed or coined to
match the slots.
4) Hemispherical Dome Connector
 Usually use for double layer domes.
 Has a span more than 40m.
 More economical for long span.
 The jointing is connect by sliting the end of the
tube or rod with the joint fin.
 There are 2 types of joint, pentagonal joint and
hexagonal joint.
ADVANTAGES
 Light
 Elegant & Economical
 Carry load by three dimensional action
 High Inherent Stiffness
 Easy to construct
 Save Construction Time & Cost
 Services (such as lighting and air conditioning)
can be integrated with space frames
 Offer the architect unrestricted freedom in
locating supports and planning the subdivision
of the covered space.
EXAMPLES OF BUILDING
SAN SIRO STADIUM, MILAN
STANSTED AIRPORT,
LONDON
THANK
YOU