Modern Building Systems

Large Span Roofing Systems

Different types of large span roofing
systems
 Arches, Vaults
 Domes
 Space frames
 Shells
Arches and Vaults

 Introduction
 Classification
 Chronology Of Development
 Examples
 Analysis
Definition of Arch
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
 " Arrangement of separate wedge shaped
units over an opening in which either the
units or the joints between them radiate from
a given point or points . Each unit is
consolidated by mutual pressure thus
allowing the structure to support considerable
load" .
Principle Logic behind origination of Arch
 An Arch depends upon the compressive strength of
material from which it is made.
 Thus stone a better option. As stone has good
compressive strength
 The fact that each voussoirs is wider at the top than the
bottom prevents it from falling vertically under the action
of gravity and forces it to transmit its thrust to its nearest
neighbourhood.
 An arch is made more stable by its curve and the larger
the curve the stronger the vertical component of the
thrust
Classification of Arches

 Structural Aspect
 Aesthetic Aspect
 Functional Aspect
 According to Material
Types of Arches
Types of Arches
 VAULTS

An arched form used to provide a space with a ceiling or

roof. A vault is given to support the roof structurally .
 WORKING
The parts of the vault exert a thrust that require a counter
resistance.

In case of underground vaults, its is

given, the ground gives all the
resistance required. But above the
ground, some replacemnts are
given.
 TYPES
vaults are classified on the basis of
construction type :-
 Barrel vaults
 Groin vaults
 Rib vaults
 Fan vaults
Can also be classified in to:-
Byzantine vaults
Romanesque vaults
Gothic and renaissance
 BARREL VAULTS
Simplest form of vaults shaped in a
barrel cut half lengthwise.
 RIB VAULTS
Rib vaults is used where intersecting vaults are not in same
size.
 GROIN VAULTS
Groin is a fold or intersection of two vaults.
 FAN VAULTS
Fan vaults are formed by may rib vaults.
Lincoln Cathedral
Cathedral Church of St. Mary, Britain
Fan vaulting
Lincoln Cathedral
Cathedral Church of St. Mary, Britain

Rib vaulting
Lincoln Cathedral
Cathedral Church of St. Mary, Britain

Groin vaulting
Domes
DOMES:
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIAL FOR DOMES
 FUNCTIONAL APPLICATION OF DOMES
 BASIC GEOMETRY OF DOME
 TYPES OF DOMICAL SURFACE
 TYPES OF DOMES
St Gereons Basillica Germany
Pantheon Rome
Gol Gumbaj
Gol Gumbaj

 The dome is supported on giant squinches

supported by groined pendentives while outside the
building is supported by domed octagonal corner
towers .
 A squinch in architecture is a piece of construction
used for filling in the upper angles of a square room
so as to form a proper base to receive an octagonal
or spherical dome
 Dome is the second largest one in the world which is
unsupported by any pillars .
 Diameter 37 mtrs
Structural / Supporting
Elements
Flying Buttresses

They are used to

transmit the horizontal
force of a vaulted ceiling
through the walls and
across an intervening
space
 A pendentive is a
constructive device
permitting the placing of a
circular dome over a
square room or an
elliptical dome over a
rectangular room .
The pendentives, which
are triangular segments of
a sphere, taper to points
at the bottom and spread
at the top to establish the
continuous circular or
Pendentive elliptical base needed for
the dome.
Pendentive Geometry
Introduction To Domes
A dome is one of the earliest
structural forms and is used in
Architecture from earliest times
and is a typical example of
three dimensional structure.

It encloses maximum amount

of space in minimum surface.

The earliest form was

prototype domical one with use
of light reeds, timber, thatch,
matted material etc.
 Introduction To Domes

 The stone domes were

the false domes-built on
corbelling principle, any
shape could be
covered on by this
principle
The early Roman Domes

 Normally 6-14 mts dia were prototype of early timber

forms.
 Domes had an open eye at the top strengthened by solid
brick ring
 Series of radial arches cantilevered from the base
 The Parthenon Rome is and example of this.
Which is 140’ in dia.
The Parthenon Rome
 At the top is the 24’ dia
eye strengthened by solid
brick ring
 5 rows of coffers at lower
level to reduce the weight
3’c/c supported at base
by piers.
 To distribute the load
evenly and to avoid hoop
tension these are inter-
connected by solid piers.
Earliest Domes Mycenae, Greece

Treasury of Atreus
 Dome of The Rock- Jerusulem Wooden dome

The structure is basically octagonal. It comprises a wooden dome, approximately

60 feet (20 m) in diameter, which is mounted on an elevated drum consisting of a
circle of 16 piers and columns
Surrounding this circle is an octagonal arcade of 24 piers and columns
 Another development was the construction of
dome with brick with extensive use of brick ribs.
Ribbed arches were constructed at intervals.
 In between space being filled with brick and rest
by concrete. So, no formwork.
 System of passing the thrust to the bottom by
series of interconnected domes and vaults,
arches
 In Romanesque and renaissance period
however domes were constructed using the form
work.
 Development of Domes
S.No Description Diameter in mts Total wt

1 Pantheon dome, Rome 44 11,000

Built in 120AD

2 RCC shell dome, Warsaw, 65 6,340

in 1925

3 RCC shell over octagonal 69 2,200

ribbed vault, leipzig in
1947
4 Astrodome in Hauston, 200 2,150
Texas Lamella in 1972
 A tension ring is
usually provided around
the base to resist thrusts.
 If an opening is left at
the crown a
Compression ring is
installed around the
opening to resist the
thrust
Domes are composed either of members lying on
surface of revolution or of straight members with their
connecting points lying on such as surface; an
arrangement generally results in a dome of circular
base
 Types of Domes
 Frame or skeleton /single layer dome
 Truss type or double layer dome
 Stressed skin type/the covering forms an integral part of
the structural system
 Formed Surface type/the bent sheets are interconnected
along their edges to form the main skeleton of the dome
Stiff- Jointed Framed Domes
 Shells

 Primarily to reduce the weight thin shell roofs are

constructed now a days.
 Thin shells are form resistant structures-
structures in which strength is obtained by
shaping the material according to the loads they
must carry are called form resistant structures.
 Modern Skeleton have been made possible by the
advent of carbon steel in 19th century.
 The high strength low alloy structural steel have resulted
in larger and lighter domes.
 Magnesium alloy and Aluminum alloys have been
introduced successfully