Space trusses:

Benefits of Space Truss Buildings

One of the biggest benefits of space truss buildings is their ability to span large
areas without the need for many interior supports. This creates an open and
flexible interior space which can be used for a variety of purposes. Additionally,
space truss buildings are incredibly strong and resistant to flexing loads, making
them ideal for areas with high wind or seismic activity.

Another benefit of using space trusses is their lightweight nature. This makes
them easier and less costly to transport and install. They also require less
material to construct than traditional steel beams, which can result in
significant cost savings.

Space truss buildings are also highly customizable. Since they can be designed
in any shape, architects and engineers have complete freedom to create
unique and creative structures. This means that space truss buildings can be
used for a variety of applications, from sports stadiums to airport terminals.
Applications of Space Truss Buildings
Space truss structure buildings have a wide range of applications, including:

Sports stadiums roof: Space trusses can be used to create large, open-air
stadiums with unobstructed views of the field.

Airport terminal building: The open and airy design of space truss buildings
makes them ideal for airport terminals, which require a lot of interior space
and minimal columns.
Exhibition halls: Space trusses can be used to create large exhibition halls with
plenty of space for exhibits and visitors.
Industrial buildings: With their high load capacity and resistance to bending
moments, space trusses are perfect for use in industrial buildings such as
warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
Bridges and infrastructure
3D Space Truss System
It is widely known that the 3D space truss system is widely used for long-span
roof; this system has been further evolved by Leslie Robertson, who further
developed this system into tall buildings. One of the famous examples is the
Bank of China Tower Hong Kong.

Fig. 5.8 shows the Bank of China Tower built in Hong Kong by the famous
Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei. The structural engineer is Leslie
Robertson. The height of the building is 315.0 m with two masts reaching 367.4
m. This was the tallest building in Hong Kong and Asia during 1990–92, and the
first composite space frame high-rise building. While its distinctive look makes
it one of Hong Kong's most controversial landmarks today, it earned the
nickname “One Knife” due to its peculiar sharp shape.

It uses a 3D space truss system. The building is in composite steel and

reinforced concrete. It is the most unique work of the structural system. Fig. 5.9
shows the typical floors along different heights of the building. It is noticed that
the building's superstructure comprises four interlocking triangular shafts,
terminating at various heights. This is similar to the bundle tube system used in
Wills Tower discussed in Chapter 4. The only difference is that one uses tube,
whereas the other one uses triangular shafts. It is built of composite metal tray
and reinforced concrete floor system.
Space Truss Analysis: Method for determining the internal forces in each truss
member, which are either compression or tension. Key factors in the analysis:
material's mechanical properties, truss system geometry, number of members
and nodes, and external loads acting on the truss.

Space Truss Applications: Commonly used in modern construction industry to

create robust, economised, and aesthetically appealing structures. Also
important in the field of civil engineering and architectural design, allowing the
creation of open spaces without the obstruction of columns or load-bearing
walls.

Space Truss: A three-dimensional framework made of linear elements

interconnected at points called nodes. Space Truss members are subjected only
to compression or tension forces, forming several triangular units that enhance
overall structural stability.

Space trusses are like puzzles. Each piece fits together to build strong shapes.
Engineers use them in big projects, where strength and space matter a lot.
They can hold up roofs or cover sports arenas without needing many walls or
columns.
One cool example is the Bank of China Tower. Its pattern looks like growing tree
branches. The tower stands tall because its truss system spreads out stresses
and strains. This design also lets light shine through its glass curtain walls.

Space truss structures are very important in modern building projects. They
hold up roofs and cover large spaces without needing many walls for support.
This kind of design is perfect for places like stadiums, airports, or big shopping
centers. Because space trusses are strong in three dimensions, they help make
buildings that can last a long time and withstand bad weather.
These structures use less material but still keep their strength. Builders like
them because they can go together fast at the construction site or be made
ahead of time in a factory. Space trusses also look good and give architects
more freedom to create exciting shapes and forms for new buildings that catch
people’s eyes.
Space trusses also look good because they have simple shapes that form
beautiful patterns.
This kind of design lets light come into buildings in a special way. It creates
open spaces with no need for many columns or walls inside. That means
people can use the space more freely without things getting in the way.
With space truss systems, big rooms feel even bigger and more exciting!

when we design them, we must make sure they are strong enough to handle
two other kinds of stress: shear and torsion.

Shear happens when parts slide past each other in opposite directions. Torsion
is a twist force, like wringing out a wet cloth.

Engineers work on models for space truss elements that include all the rules
about how these pieces fit together, stay balanced, and deal with forces. Using
math helps them get it right so buildings don’t fall down or bridges don’t break.

They look closely at how bars and joints in the truss behave under loads that
push or pull sideways (shear) or twist (torsion). Designing for these stresses
makes sure that structures stand tall and keep people safe.

To analyze a space truss successfully, you have to know that each part connects
with pins. This means all the weight or push on the truss goes straight to the
joints. Think of it like a toy structure where sticks join at small balls – those are
your pins and joints! You can’t forget that these trusses only stretch or
squeeze; they don’t twist or bend.
The whole structure is supported by five steel columns, four in the corners of
the building and one in the center, which together bear the weight and forces.

The towers are lifted to different heights and the loads of the central column
are directed to those found in the corners, forming a triangular frame. This
allows the architect to design a lighter structure, because the diagonal
elements required are less important, while the three-dimensional internal
structure provides a clear floor that allows for future changes in the disposition
of their use, thus saving energy and resources.
Joints:
A critical joint at which the vertical,
horizontal, and diagonal members
of
the steel frame all come together.
This joint is not a welded
connection,
nor is it all steel. A block of
reinforced concrete that envelopes
all the columns, stiffening trusses,
beams, and cross-braces.
The wind speed in Hong Kong can reach as high as 143mph.
Space Truss:
Allows for the vast majority of the gravitational load to be supported
at the exterior. By doing so, this eliminated about half of the dead
load that there usually is in tall buildings (less steel was needed).
The center column, rising from the 25th floor, bears the
gravitational load and resists the overturning moment.

Youtube
the shape helps to resist high
velocity with because of its sharp
angled corners and the figure that
Slim's down as the altitude rises
however what is really interesting is
how the use of diamond-shaped cross
braces along with the quadrant design
result in a tower they uses much less
steel and overall material compared to
many other tall structures the cross
braces are also represented on the
facades of the structure in daylight and
light up as night falls

as its section trunk reaches higher and

higher with each new growth
the four triangular shafts which form
the building grow more narrow as the
building rises
these shafts support the weight of the
building and eliminate the need for many
internal vertical supports
consequently the bank of china uses less
steel than typical for a building its
size
the tower was conceived by imp as a cube
rising out of the ground and divided
diagonally into quadrants
as the structure moves upwards the mass
is diminished
one quadrant at a time until it is
reduced to a single
triangular prism 70 stories
the building is characterized by a
harmonious blend of modern architecture
with traditional chinese design
its four prism shaped shafts reflect the
sun's rays like a glittering crystal
a geometrical work of art clad in a
curtain wall of glass and aluminum

intro :
The building consists of four triangular towers of glass and aluminum, all of
varying heights, emerging from a triumphal podium of beautiful granite.
Geometric changes that occur as the building rises into the sky are the most
intriguing aspect of the tower. The sharp angles and points of interest make an
appearance – a contrast with flat architecture that dominates the city – silver
reflective glass used in the tower creates items that reflect the light on sunny
days and at night, when Hong Kong is radiant with all kinds of artificial light.

Inspired by bamboo symbolic of strength, vitality, growth and enterprise

is interesting that horizontal structural elements are missing from the facade
where each diagonal brace intersects the perimeter columns. This
triangulation would give the building greater wind resistance and strength
against the wracking of the tower in the powerful typhoons that plague this
part of the world. The back story regarding the missing horizontal members is
that they are not missing at all. They are there but concealed behind the
glazing. Why? The external expression of the horizontals were part of Pei’s
original design and part of the innovative structural design, but the Bank of
China objected to them because the building would look like “a ladder of X’s”
and the X happens to be in Chinese iconography a symbol of negativity.
saaring 369 metres high
the bank of china tower in hong kong is
one of the world's tallest office
buildings in the world
located at number one garden road a
flourishing centre of activity in hong
kong's business and financial core
the building was constructed over a
period of four years and four months
commencing in april 1985.
completed for occupancy in august 1989
the building was opened in may 1990.
the boc tower is a masterpiece of the
world-renowned chinese-american
architect iampe
his inspiration for the building's
construction came from the elegant
stature of bamboo

1990.
The famous Bank of China building became the newest addition to the Hong
Kong skyline with its sharp, pointed edges.
the structure is supported by giant steel columns with 4 corners and 12 layers
high, and there is no pillar inside the room. The steel column and the diagonal
rod in three-dimensional support and each supporting plane are used to
transmit the gravity load of each floor to the corner column,thus increasing the
force arm of the gravity load of the floor for resisting the balance of the
overturning moment, thereby improving the effectiveness as the balance
weight. Inspired by the“high rise”of bamboo, the design of the Bank of China
symbolizes the spirit of strength, vitality, strength and forge ahead. The base
granite outer wall represents the Great Wall and symbolizes China. It also
means that the Bank of China will continue to flourish in the future

Space truss structure Multi-storey mega braces are provided to transmit

vertical and horizontal loads to vertical columns With a striking angular form,
the Bank of China Tower is an iconic piece of Structural ExpressionismThe idea
for the form came from bamboo, a symbol of growth and prosperity in Chinese
Culture

Space Truss: A three-dimensional framework made of linear elements

interconnected at points called nodes. Space Truss members are subjected only
to compression or tension forces, forming several triangular units that enhance
overall structural stability

Space Truss Applications: Commonly used in modern construction industry to

create robust, economised, and aesthetically appealing structures. Also
important in the field of civil engineering and architectural design, allowing the
creation of open spaces without the obstruction of columns or load-bearing
walls

A space frame is a 3-dimensional truss that utilizes interlocking triangles to

create lightweight and strong structures. The space frams's integrity comes
from its geometric strength. Space frames use the geometric stability of
triangles to form structures that defy size, space, and gravity. Triangles are
considered the strongest shapes in structural building. The triangular design
allows weight to be distributed throughout the triangle. This structural design
holds its shape and provides a strong base with immense support that can
withstand tremendous pressure.

The Tower is composed of four towers of triangular shape that evoke the
bamboo leaves, Chinese symbol of prosperity and livelihood.

The whole structure is supported by five steel columns, four in the corners of
the building and one in the center, which together bear the weight and forces.

The towers are lifted to different heights and the loads of the central column
are directed to those found in the corners, forming a triangular frame. This
allows the architect to design a lighter structure, because the diagonal
elements required are less important, while the three-dimensional internal
structure provides a clear floor that allows for future changes in the disposition
of their use, thus saving energy and resources.

The four corners of the building at the base are made of reinforced concrete
pillars that were reinforced with metal profiles. This structure makes the gain in
strength by absorbing the full weight of the megastructure proportionally
distributing loads to the foundation.

above ground building structural scheme. The tower, which forms the shape of
a square on the ground in the early levels, has four reinforced concrete pillars
at the corners, triangular and square pairs. In addition, a fifth central pillar of
irregularly shaped concrete starts from the 25th floor
above, plant structure at different levels and main elevation. The diagrid
Intricate beams (loaded diagonal) loads leads to the foundation of the building
down side pattern (front) and diagonal (inside) of the concentration and
reaction loads of each column
The shape of the envelope changes dramatically Maintaining the purity of the
geometry was the challenge around which the very structural feasibility of the
project turned. Structure design concept: a series of triangles as a super frame

Joints:
A critical joint at which the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal members of
the steel frame all come together. This joint is not a welded connection,
nor is it all steel. A block of reinforced concrete that envelopes all the columns,
stiffening trusses, beams, and cross-braces

Lateral load: Planar trusses

• Transfer truss that wrap around every 13th story as the horizontal
bracing were concealed, thus the horizontal
expression was removed
• Create planar trusses in
structural steel with the frames of but two different geometries
• In the corners of the
towers, we knitted the
columns of the planar
frames into spacetrusses – all within a
reinforced concrete
column

Vertical Loads
The vertical force are transferred through braces, columns, space trusses ,
transverse truss and diaphragms.
Disadvantages of Space Frames
•
Difficult to engineer
•
Not easy to determine forces distribution throughout the structure

Advantages of Space Frames

•
Light weight
: most space frames are now constructed with
steel oraluminum
, which decreases considerably their self-weight.
•
Space frames can be built from
simple prefabricated units
, which are oftenof
standard size and shape
.
Units can be
easily transported
and
-skilled labor.

Space frames can be built at a

lower cost

rapidly assembled
on site by semi
Light in weight

Flexible
structure due to its three dimensional character and to the full participation of
its constituent elements.

Space frames possess

a versatility of shape and form
and can utilize a
standard module to generate various flat space grids, latticed shell, oreven
free-form shapes.