ec 275) THE LIGHTWEIGHT CANOPY AT VICTORIA PLAZA A large American financial concern, Salomon Brothers, has been converting the atrium space of recently-built speculative offices over Vietoria In recent years tension structures have been in favour, as much for architectural as technical reasons, Their visual qualities hhave been as important as their structural advantages. But, in some cases the structure has almost become a decorative element with litle technical justification. Imitating the obvious features of some of the original designs, but lacking their Station into a dealing hall. John Thornton describes the cable-stayed canopy structure at the heart of the conversion. Photographs by Richard Bryant. technical rigour, they remain unconvincing. ‘Victoria Plaza is built over the platforms of Vietoria Station and contains two atrium ‘spaces, the larger of which was to be ‘converted into a dealing room. This room had to be roofed. For this, Anthony Hunt Associates and Heery Architects and Engineers, designed a tension structure that is both eonvineing and justifiable 1.24 One problem in tension “structure design's the effect of wind ult. nb, the J wopegaaes SSiedldol fff harlem sraity oF wind ads, cause ovement of the columns and lots of support to adjoining spans. A 2A view ofthe atria with ts ‘new canopy The vaults are ‘ezmental to leave openings for ‘stoke Incase af ire, vents can ‘open inthe root af the atrium.Why a tension structure? ‘The main problem facing the designers was that the existing foundations would not permit any increase in load; there was, however, alink block within the atrium, Its removal released load capacity for the ‘canopy, but a transfer structure at level one ‘meant that this was available only ina line of three foundations. ‘This naturally led to a structure supported by a few columns over these foundations, which suited the general preference for column-free spaces in dealing rooms. Hunt's looked at a number of options for the canopy, but only the tension-assisted umbrella could be kept within the depth of the spandrel beams surrounding the atrium. It also helped keep ‘the weight down to 128 tonnes, under the 184 tonne limit imposed by the foundations. Being internal, it did not have to cope ‘with the two problems that particularly affect tension structures, 1, and this permitted a simple arrangement. The first of these problemsis that the tension system for gravity loads becomes inoperative under wind uplift; the supported structure has to span further or a secondary tension system has to be provided, 11. The second problem is that unbalanced live loads in one span ‘cause uplift in another, 1¢; in this case the live load was small, Umbrella structures also tend to fall over, but here the canopy ‘ould be propped horizontally from the surrounding building, ‘The structure itself consists of three Vierendeel box girders forming spines which carry rib beams. Masts pass through the two outer spines and support them at this point. Rod ties from the top of the masts hold the spines at intervals, There were to have been three masts, but at alate stage the central one was removed to improve the dealing space. The triple spine scheme was retained because it gave the best overall layout and the central spine is now entirely suspended. Although this has complicated the e arrangements, stil looks logical and consistent. The masts have ball and socket joints at their base and at canopy level to allow movement without inducing bending. This entire structure is steel, ‘The ribs support vaulted louvres made of corrugated steel sheet on hollow seetion frames. They are clad underneath with perforated aluminium ceiling panels, while the top surface of the canopy is covered. with vertical aluminium louvres. These are close together over the gaps between main louvres to control light; elsewhere the spacing, is opened out to give visual unity. ‘Ventilation and lighting are supplied from above, with aecess walkways on the spine ‘beams. Aluminium was used extensively in ‘both the walkways and service systems to save weight. As the canopy isa roof toa sprinklered space with no occupancy above, it was not necessary to treat the steel against fire in any way. ‘A tension structure uses discrete components of beam, tie and mast to give structural depth, The bulk of these individual components is much less than that of a more monolithie structure. This was an advantage here since the canopy had to be brought into the building through a [5 window opening, The structure was,Aesigned to be broken down into smal pieces to make this possible and to make its removal just as easy if need be (the initial lease is only three years), A Vierendee! girder, although less effieient than a conventional tus, isa good choice in these Framework, butin this case the device was an internally threaded eylinder). The load ‘was correctly distributed between rods and girder when the girder was level, so it was only a matter of adjusting the turnbuekles, Thad been thought that the structure circumstances, since a conventional truss requires splices in the diagonals as well as the chords, whieh can look awkward, particularly if they occur frequently ‘might be levelled while temporarily ballasted with a load equivalent to that which would be finally applied; in the event itproved simpler to adjust the ties at intervals as load was added, This shows an ‘Assembly advantage of a simple system such as this, ‘The stracture was assembled on a where itcan easily be seen when the loads scaffolding platform. The tension inthe __arecorrect and where adjusting one rod rods was adjusted by means of turnbuekles does not cause other rods to need (strietly speaking, a turnbuckle isan open readjustment. A highly interactive tension 3 General arrangement ofthe ‘canopy structure. Three Vierendel box geders are suspended from the two masts and composite stee/concrete ‘ants span between the ‘4 Detlef the bear and vat. 5 Louvre and walkways run over ‘the vaults and beams Lighting and ventilation services are carried in the canopy. {Cross-section trough Vierendeet girders. Attachment to the side walls gives lateral but no sertial support. 1 Data ofthe masthead. The complesty ofthe assembly flows from the engineering approach taking the problems in sequence, 718 The canopy 25 seem from the ew dealing rom. ohn Thornton structural Engineer working for Ove Arup Sod Partnors structure which requires precise laads in its various elements and which might require strain gauges to check these loads could ‘easily make erection the most difficult part of the project, ‘Working toa tight programme has had consequences on the finished structure. The rib tubes were to have been tapered to reflect the bending forces but there were problems with the spinning machine. To keep to programme they were then changed to stepped straight tubes, which look quite heavy. Bolts were substituted for some of the smaller pins and welds in the tubes were left unground. There is nothing wrong with this, butit creates a certain inconsisteney in detailing refinement. Details play an important part in the overall effect of a structure such as this which takes effort, skill and time. With hindsight, one can see the risks when time is short. Design approach ‘The engineer has two possible approaches to the design of such a structure. Even in such an apparently simple design these will affect the appearance. One is to work with the underlying structural principles to ‘minimise and simplify. The other is to solve the problems in sequence, which tends to give a layering of elements and a more complicated appearance, 7. The latter approach seems to be characteristie of Hunt's structures. Take three examples, First, the louvres are deep enough to look asif they could have been made to span further without support from the ribs. This. makes the distribution of load between them and the primary structure ambiguous. second, the number and angle of the ties and the way they have all been brought to the masthead makes a complex assembly. ‘The distinctive wide shape of the east forks was generated by the need for clearance. Finally, the spines have been made continuous past the masts, rather than being pinned at this point. Apart from affecting the appearance of the junction this creates the visual quality of the canopy being a continuous element supported on ‘columns and itself supporting a mast and tie system which strengthens it. The alternative pinned solution would have accentuated the mast and given greater ‘emphasis to the suspended nature of the ‘canopy. Again, the choice of structure was that which tended to ambiguity Faced with an unusual problem, the designers have produced a tension structure which is appropriate and uncontrived while being well detailed,