ATGB 2313 CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY III

SPECIAL STRUCTURES
1. INTRODUCTION
In the ever improving construction industry, ways & methods of achieving a
built environment is constantly evoluting. Namely, under this topic it covers
the different ways & methods of spanning to achieve large open spaces ie
void of or with minimum or only peripheral column supports.

Thus are generally termed Special Structures, namely:-

a. Space Frames
b. Shell Structures, including domes, arches, vaults & folded plates
c. Cable stayed supporting structures
d. Tension membrane structures.
e. Pneumatic structures

From the simple concept…

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To the sublime & sophisticated…

Zaha Adid Cultural Centre

A whole new ball game in designing with structure…

2. Space Frames
These are basically small cells of structure forms, most often modular
in nature, jointed together forming a formidable structural form.

Space Frames (among others)

A ~ Welded Steel,
B ~ Tubular Steel,

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 Space Frames (among others)
C ~ With Gusset Plate
D ~ Aluminium Rods With Nodes
E ~ Aluminium Extruded
F ~ Precast Concrete

With these flexibility almost all shapes & forms are possible…

Yes…
Even an arched vaulting structure! Of which we will cover later in the page.

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More realistically…

…even the geodesic dome

Space Frame (*av)

Can u construct a space frame structure with timber elements?

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 Timber Space Frame

Famous Structure…

The Louvre, Paris France

Pyramid: Wall cum Roof

Note
There are so many & varied shapes & forms for this structure form, thus equally
the USE OF! Wide range of reading, goggle browsing is adviced…

3. Shell Structures
These are structures mainly organic, mimicking the shell structure ie
thin layered skin with partitioned inner walls/webs similar to diaphraming.

Shell Forms

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 Imaginations Running Wild “,)

From these, arises the concept of ribbing/diaphramatic structures. Note

that most are monolithic in nature.

a. Domes

Concrete Shell

Other then the concrete form these can also be found in the following
functional concept :-
i. Ribbed
ii. Trimmed Ribbed
iii. Lamella (name of inventor)
iv. Trimmed Lamella
v. 3-Way
vi. 4-Way

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 Grid Domes
A ~ Hinged Steel ribbed B ~ Timber Ribbed

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 Grid Domes
Nodes(Connectors)

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b. Arches
Just a few as these are many an varied as an element to the other forms.

c. Vaults
i) Single Layer Flat Grid

Materials
A ~ Steel Element (I-beam welded)
B ~ Ferro Cement Wafffle Slab
C ~ Precast Poststressed Cement-Fondu
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ii) Double Layer Space Grid

A~2 Way Timber Grid B~2 Way Grid C~3 Way Grid
D~Welded Cast Steel E~Pressed Steel F~Screw Connected G~Key Connected

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iii) Forms

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d. Folded Plates

Timber Folded Slab/Plate

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4. Cable Stayed (Support)

Suspension/Tension Structures

5. Tension Membrane

This is a construction of elements carrying only tension and no compression

or bending. More well know as Tensile structures, they are the most
common type of thin-shell structures. Most tensile structures are supported

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by some form of compression or bending elements, such as masts (as
in The O2, formerly the Millennium Dome, London), compression rings or
beams.

Some Fforms with Interest

A tensile membrane structure is most often used as a roof, as they can

economically and attractively span large distances.

Munich Olympic Stadium, Germany.

One of the pioneer in tensile structure built

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6. Air Stabilised(Pneumatic) Structure

7. Conclusion
Being special as they may be, some forms are used to the maximum
advantage eg for light weight & ease of assembly purposes. However, the
practicality is often and almost set a side for the sake of being different and
albeit subjective,…the factor of beauty.

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To Ponder…

Adventurous
Combination of a little of each?
Giving us the organic form &
shape…

Consideration factors that need to be thought of when making any Choice :-

1. Asthetics (subjective)

2. Availability of :-
a. Technology
b. Materials
c. Experts (+ Labour)

3.Practicality

Note
These notes are to be read together with MODUL spaceframes.pdf &
Building-tech-presentation-group-Archeology.pdf files issued.

Students are also recommended to make reference (& notes) as available in

the ADVANCE CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY by Roy Chudley, from
page 502)

Ku Syah August 2014

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Can anyone guess what concept, shape is this structure?

Hmmm…what is this, any1? “,)

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