COLLAGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
COURSE TITLE : BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION 111
COURSE CODE : ARCH 3171

GROUP MEMBERS
NAME ID No
1. NUREDIN HASSEN NSR/1699/13
2.KEROD DENDIR NSR/2355/13
3.ELIAS KHALIWE NSR/0736/13
4.WUDASE ADUGNA NSR/2158/13
5.DAWIT TAFERE NSR/0609/13
6.YARED ADDISU NSR/2179/13

SUBMISSION DATE : 03/04/2015

SUBMITTED TO : Mr. MINTESNOT T.

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 Table of Contents

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….3
What Is Shell Structure?…………………………………………………………………………….…..4
Types of Shell Structure…………………………………………………………………………….….5
Applications of Shell Structure…………………………………………………………………...11
Shell Structure Examples……………………………………………………………………………….…12
Advantages & Disadvantages of Shell Structures………………………….12
Domes ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………13
Types of dome………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
Structural strength of domes…………………………………………………………………………20
Construction techniques …………………………………………………………………………………….21
References ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..22

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 INTRODUCTION

Nowadays there is a need for construction of the buildings which are in closed-
form structures. The main purpose of constructing the Shell Structure that it will
cover a larger area of the building.

The construction of shell structures is gaining popularity in areas where there is a high
risk of earthquakes. The word ‘shell’ is commonly used to describe the outer
hard covering of the egg.

In civil engineering, the shell Structure is a curved outer membrane that is used as a
roof cover in buildings. Here in this article, we will go through the concept
of Shell structure and its types, Advantages, and Disadvantages.

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 What Is Shell Structure?

 The shell structure is a thin curved membrane or a slab that is usually made from
the reinforced cement concrete. The shell Structure is used as
both structure and covering membrane.

 Shell Structures are defined as structures that are capable of maintaining

their shape and the support loads without any help of the frame or the solid
mass materials.

 The term shell is generally used to describe structures that possess high
strength and rigidity due to their thin form. The of the best feature of the shell
structures is their continuity and curvature. Due to its structural continuity, the
shells can transmit the loads in a number of different directions.

 shell structure, in building construction, a thin, curved plate structure shaped

to transmit applied forces by compressive, tensile, and shear stresses that act
in the plane of the surface.
 The structure that retains their size and support load, even without frame or
solid mass material inside is called shell structure. A shell is a building that is
hollow from within, these shell components are usually bent and formed into a
massive frame, they are lightweight constructions using shell elements.

 Shell structures are also commonly known as plate structures. Structures whose
thickness is very less as per as the length and breadth of the structure are
considered. These types of structures are known as thin shell structures.

The main purpose of constructing the shell structure is to reduce the self-
weight of the structure by making the structure as thin as possible.

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 Types of Shell Structure
The different types of shell structures are as follows.

 Cylindrical Shell
 Multiple Cylindrical Shells
 North Light Shells
 Asymmetrical Cylindrical Shells
 Barrel Vaults
 Short Shells and Long Shells
 Domes
 Intersection Shell Structure
 Shell Arches
 Translation Shells

1. Cylindrical Shell

Cylindrical shells are the primary structural component of both aquatic and airborne
systems. Frames or ribs are also used to stiffen these structures.

This is a kind of shell in which the stationary cure, known as directrix, or the moving
curve, known as generatrix, is a straight line.

Cylindrical shells stiffened on the outside by stringers are economical for axial
compression and bending with an active deflection restriction, but uneconomic without
one.

Some examples of typical cylindrical shells include the :

 Semi-ellipse.
 Arch circle.
 Cycloid centenary.
 Horseshoe form.

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 Advantage
Thin cylindrical shells are of optimum use due to their low thickness to radius ratio,
which efficaciously reduces the weight of the structure.
Due to its geometry, thin cylindrical shells require very less material which reduces
the amount of dead load.

2.Multiple Cylindrical Shells

It consists of a sequence of parallel and transversely continuous cylindrical shells.

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3.North Light Shells

This shell construction is used to provide vast areas of north light windows for
factories that need good natural lighting. Windows may be slanted, as seen here, or
vertical. The bottom edge member forms a drainage trough with the curved shell and
contributes to the structure’s stiffness.

The successful depth of the shell is not the vertical gap between the two sides, but
rather the depth if the shell is laid flat with the circle’s ends on the same horizontal
line. As a result, the ranges for a north light shell must be relatively short in relation
to the vertical depth of construction.

Concrete struts acting as mullions between the window glazing can connect the
edges of neighboring shells. The north light shell is described as a shell with two
springing at different stages. The supply of curves at various stages towards the
north provides optimum north-light. This kind of shell is typically used as a roof in the
case of factories and workshops where good daylight is desired.

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4. Asymmetrical Cylindrical Shells

This shell arrangement is asymmetrical across the crown.

BARREL SHELLS: A barrel shell is a collection of very thin arches that have the
same compressive power. Because of this compressive force interaction, the barrel
shell will withstand very large quantities of weight as long as the weight is spread
proportionally. However, barrel shells with a constant thickness are extremely
vulnerable to concentrated loads.

The barrel shell is shaped similarly to the arch, with a sequence of segmented lines
transferring compressive load to the soil; the much more differentiated lines, the
stronger the fluidity of the curves mostly on arch or shell. The crown of this kind of
shell is symmetrical.

5. Barrel Vaults

A barrel vault is indeed a continuous vaulted form that could be semi circular in shape,
resembling the roof of a cave, or pointing at the apex.
It is usually built by a sequence of edge arches or vaults via a continuous shield. Since
of their greater span capability of up to 50 m with minimum material, these are also
most suitable for shell structures.

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6. Short Shells and Long Shells

A variety of terms have been originally used to describe cylindrical shells, based on
whether their period is short or long.

Short shells are those with a short period length.

Long shells : Where the period length is greater than the width, the shell shape is
referred to as a long shell.

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7.Domes

A dome is a structure framework that occupies an area that is somewhat square or

circular. The domes are connected to a surface formed by some curve rotating around
a vertical line. Whenever the ground has a dual curvature that results in a hard
and solid snoring shell structure instead of a curved surface.

8. Intersection Shell Structure

The angle of collision of the design of a system the structural effectiveness of the
intersections shell. A rib fomented by neighboring elements of the initial shell is so
much greater than that of the neighboring shell on either side unless the angle is wide.
So if the angles of intersection becomes too large, it is referred to it as a shallow
intersection; if the angle of intersection is 90 degrees, it results in a rigid rib.

9. Shell Arches

Small shells and shell arches are all types of shells. Both thicknesses can be
rendered much smaller than an arc if the stresses are mostly compressive. Shells are
not a very effective framework for high bending moment values.

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10. Translation Shells

A translation shell is created by moving a vertical curve over another vertical curve.
Since curves have various forms, such as triangles, ellipses, and parabolas, vertical
segments are all the same, as compared to a circular sphere, where vertical segments
vary in height.

In a nutshell, a translation shell is a square dome whose form is formed by a curve

moving along another curve. Since the arch shape is used to minimize tension and
thickness in the transverse direction, barrel vaults are very effective structures.

Applications of Shell Structure

1. The shell construction is common in both nature and classical architecture.

2. Shells are used mostly in two ways in civil engineering: industrial systems such
as:

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  Silos, reservoirs, cooling towers, and reactor vessels, and ,
 Decorative and architectural special structures.
3. The fuselages in airplanes.
4. Halls for boats .
5. Any buildings have roof frames.

Shell Structure Examples

1. The world-famous thin-shell building, the Sydney Opera House, has spectacular
architectural views.

2. In India, the Lotus Temple in Delhi and numerous shell structures demonstrate
the miracle of building construction history.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Shell Structures

Advantages of Shell Structures

1. Curved forms are inherently solid pillars that allow for large areas to be span
without the use of internal supports, resulting in an open, unobstructed interior.
2. Since concrete is comparatively cheap and readily cast onto compound curves,
using it as a building material eliminates both material and construction costs.
3. The resulting construction can be extremely strong and safe; for example,
modern monolithic dome houses have withstood hurricanes and fires.
4. High power in relation to its own weight. ( Major efficiency measurement
criteria ).
5. Extremely Stiffness Protected

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 6. a large area reduces building costs
7. Aesthetic worth.
Disadvantages of Shell Structures

1. Since concrete is a porous substance, concrete domes sometimes have sealing

problems.
2. Rainwater will seep through the roof and spill into the building’s interior if it is
not handled.
3. The smooth structure of concrete domes, on the other hand, prevents air
from escaping which can contribute to condensation accumulation on the interior
of the shell.
4. Exterior moisture is commonly addressed with shingling or sealants, and
condensation may be addressed with dehumidifiers or ventilation.
5. Since concrete is a porous material, seepage can occur.
6. It is not necessary to put another floor above it due to its geometry.
7. It is essentially the roof covering framework

DOMES
A dome is a structure framework that occupies an area that is somewhat square or
circular. The domes are connected to a surface formed by some curve rotating around
a vertical line. Whenever the ground has a dual curvature that results in a hard
and solid snoring shell structure instead of a curved surface.

Materials

Domes can be constructed from a variety of materials,

from traditional masonry and concrete, to cast iron, timber and steel. More recently,
lightweight materials such as architectural fabrics and cable structures have also been
used to create ‘domes’; for the most part these are not true domes as
their components have an anticlastic shape, however inflated fabric structures can
be dome shaped.

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Traditional domes can be highly-efficient structures, similar to arches. They are self-
supporting, stabilized by the force of gravity acting on their weight to hold them
in compression. They are able to span large areas and require no intermediary columns,
creating a free space below.

TYPES OF DOME
1. Corbel dome
Dating back to paleolithic construction,this is not one of the earliest dome forms,also
known as a ‘beehive dome’ .they are not domes in the strict sense as they are
formed by horizontal masonry layers that are slightly cantilevered until meeting in the
center.

Qutb Mosque in India

2. Cloister vault
Cloister vaults, also known as dome vaults , maintain a polygonal shape in their
horizontal cross-section.
They arch towards the centre from a constant spring point a l o n g a w a l l .

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 3.Crossed arch dome
This is one of the earliest type of ribbed vault where the ribs,instead of
meeting in the dome's centre, are intertwined to form polygons, leaving an empty space
in the centre. The earliest known example is in Spain’s Great Mosque of Cordoba, dating
back to the 10th century.

4.Geodesic dome

Geodesic domes are sphere-like structure consisting of a network of triangles which

provide a self-balancing structural framework whilst using minimal materials.They were
developed by the American engineer & Architect Buck minster Fuller in the late
1940s.

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5.Monolithic dome

This is a dome structure that is cast in a one-piece.

6.Onion dome
These domes are characterized by the way they bulge out beyond their base
diameters and taper smoothly in an ogee (S-curve) profile.
Their height usually exceed their width & they are often gilded or brightly painted .
They are traditionally associated with Russian architecture,in particular their multi-
dome churches.

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7.Oval Dome

An oval dome may be defined as a dome whose plan or profile (or both) has an oval
form.The geometry is defined as using combination of circular arcs that are transition
at -tangential points.

8,Rotational dome
Also known as ‘hemispherical domes’, these are one half of a sphere, constructed on a
circular ring beam.

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9.Saucer dome

In te r ms of are a the se ar e of t en some of th e lar g e st dome s, and are

shallower in profile than other forms of dome.

10.Umbrella dome
Also known as a ‘ribbed’, ‘parachute’ or ‘scalloped’ dome.These are divided into curved segments
that follow the elevation’s curve. Radial lines of masonry that act as the dome’s ‘ribs’ extend
down the springing from the apex.

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Stability
Hemispherical domes
 It often needs a tie ring
 The round wall can be a difficulty.
 If it is for an exposed roof , the water proofing often cracks.
Hemispherical dome on pendetives
 It is advised to use a tie beam.
 It needs arches.
 if the se gme n tal sphe r e is th e roof , th e wat e r pr oof i ng oft e n
cr ack s.

Pointed cloister arch domes

 It always needs a tie beam.
 It does not need arches to support it.

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 It is su i tabl e for roof s wi t h a pyr amid al shape .
 Durable waterproofing.
Segmental cloister arch dome
 It always needs a tie beam.
 It does not need arches to support it.
 suitable for floors of apartments in multistory buildings.

Structural Strength
 The dome element of the structure was
chosen for its structural strength as well as
the savings envisaged by replacing a conventional
roofing system with a monolithic element.
 The dome’s doubly curved surface allows it to carry
loads (especially its dead weight) very effectively.
 The load is carried primarily by membrane action.

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 Moments and shears are limited to the area around the base (or boundary) of
the shell.
 Stiff horizontal rings around the shell limit the deformation in the meridian
direction.
Construction Techniques
 As with other funicular structures,th e mor e ve r ti cal th e str u c tu r e is at
the base, the less the horizontal force.
 Thus deeper domes have less horizontal thrust & the hoop tension is sufficient
from spreading out of base.
 A shal l ow dome , wi t h gr e ate r hor i zon t al th ru st , ne e ds add i ti on al
he lp in the form of tension ring at the base, a thickening of the shell to
strengthen it.

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 REFERENCES
1. https://www.scribd.com
2. https://www.bing.com
3. https://vdocument.in
4. https://en.wikipedia.org
5. https://civiljungle.com/

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