STRUCTURE IN

ARCHITECTURE

ARCH -701
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS IN ARCHITECTURE

WHAT IS A STRUCTURAL SYSTEM?

Structure in a building is a device of channeling loads to ground that result

from presence and use of the building.

System is group of parts or objects, often consisting of a principal

part and a number of secondary parts working together according to
a purpose.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS IN ARCHITECTURE

TYPES OF SYSTEMS

The systems into which the different types of structures can be grouped into are as follows:

1. Bulk Active
2. Vector Active
3. Form Active
4. Surface Active

BULK ACTIVE VECTOR ACTIVE FORM ACTIVE SURFACE ACTIVE

STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS IN ARCHITECTURE

BULK ACTIVE SYSTEM

DEFINITION

Bulk/Section active systems are those type of systems

which are composed of rigid, solid and linear elements,
in which redirection of forces is affected by mobilization
of sectional forces. They transmit building loads to the
ground mainly through bending.

DOM-INO HOUSE
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS IN ARCHITECTURE

VECTOR ACTIVE SYSTEM

DEFINITION

Vector active structural systems are systems of short,

solid, linear members in which the redirection of forces is
affected by vector partition i.e by multidirectional
splitting of single force simply to tension or compressive
elements.
The individual members of these structures are subject
only to co-active stress conditions of compression and
tension.

Example of structures:
1. Flat truss
2. Curved truss
3. Space truss

GEODESIC DOME
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS IN ARCHITECTURE

FORM ACTIVE SYSTEM

DEFINITION

Form active structural systems are systems of flexible

non-rigid matter, in which the redirection of forces is
affected by particular form design and characteristic form
stabilization.
These structural systems are exposed to single stress
condition (compression or tension).

Example of structures:
1. Cable structures
2. Tent Structures
3. Pneumatic structures
4. Arch Structures
PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS IN ARCHITECTURE

SURFACE ACTIVE SYSTEM

DEFINITION

Surface active structural systems are systems of flexible

or rigid planes able to resist tension, compression or
shear in which the redirection of forces is effected by
mobilization of sectional forces. They are in surface stress
condition (bending moment or compression).

Example of structures:
1. Plate structures
2. Folded Structures
3. Shell structures
4. Dome
5. Barrel vault
6. Hyperbolic paraboloid SHELL STRUCTURES- SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE