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Morphology of Reciprocal Frame 3-Dimensional Grillage Structures

Conference Paper · April 1994

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1064 SPATIAL/LATTICE/TENSION STRUCTURES

ends of this torus are joined to make a torus in Fig.44. Non-

periodic subdivisions of other surfaces include the new classes
of subdivided Schwartz surfaces and other curved space
labyrinths. One example of the subdivided Schwartz surface is
shown in Figs.45-47. The individual cells are shown in Figs.45
and 46 and are composed of eight saddle hexagons, each
subdivided into rhombii. The subdivisions could be with or
without symmetry. Fig.47 is an interior view of this surface
obtained by repeating the individual cells in a periodic array.

Morphology of Reciprocal Frame Three-Dimensional

Multi-layered and multi-directional versions of all these
Grillage Structures
subdivisions are other exciting possibilities. These follow from
the spatial subdivision of the entire 3-dimensional fundamental John C. Chilton1, Ban Seng Choo2 and Jia Yu3
region of polyhedra, and the higher-dimensional fundamental
region of higher polytopes.

Author's Note : This project is supported in part by a grant from Abstract

the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in Fine Arts (1992-
93). The concepts in this paper were first presented at the Art
and Mathematics Conference at SUNY, Albany, in June 1992. All
images in this paper have been executed by Neil Katz of Skidmore,
Owings and Merrill, New York.
References :
1. Lalvani, H. Non-periodic Space Structures, Space Structures Vol.2 No.2
1986-87.
2. Lalvani, H. Non-periodic space-fillings with Golden Polyhedra, In:
Proceedings, First International Conference on Lightweight Structures in
Architecture, Sydney, Australia, 1986.
3. Lalvani, H. Morphological Aspects of Space Structures, In : Studies in Space
Structures, ed. H. Nooshin, Multi-Science Publ. U.K. 1991.
4. Lalvani, H. Towards n-Dimensional Architecture, In: Proceedings : First Intl.
Conf. on Structural Morphology, Montpellier, France, 1992.
5. Lalvani, H. Continuous Transformations of Subdivided Periodic Surfaces, Space
Structures, Vol. No. 5, Nos. 3 and 4, 1990.
6. Lalvani, H., Unpublished, first presented at the Fourth International
Conference on Space Structures, University of Surrey.Guildford, UK,
September 1993.
7. See articles by Lalvani, Miyazaki, and Mosseri and Sadoc, Space Structures,
Vol. No. 5, Nos. 3 and 4, 1990.
8. Lalvani.H., First presented in the lecture Higher Dimensional Structures at
'Art and Mathematics1 Conference, SUNY, Albany, June 1992.
9. Lalvani, H., Non-Periodic Subdivision of Polygonal Surfaces, U.S.Patent
Application, June 1993.
10. Lalvani.H., Continuous Transformations of non-periodic Tilings and Space-
fillings, In -.Five-fold Symmetry, ed. I. Hargittai,World Scientific, 1992.
This paper is an introduction to the morphology of structures using the
Reciprocal Frame (also known as Mandala Dach in Germany) which is a patented
three-dimensional beam grillage structural system currently used primarily in roof
construction. The principle of the Reciprocal Frame (RF) system is described and
some of the varied geometries that are attainable using the principle are explored.
Finally, some alternative methods of cladding the basic configuration are proposed and
some architectural possibilities are discussed.
Introduction
Beam grillages have been used to span medium to long distances using
individual elements shorter than the full span for many centuries. For instance there
are several examples of medieval floors supported on four beams, arranged as shown
in Figure 1, and this is quite a common configuration for framing stairwells. However,
these grillages are generally restricted to a flat plane, unlike the Reciprocal Frame
described in this paper, which generates a three-dimensional structure.
1 Lecturer, School of Architecture, University of Nottingham, University
Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
2 Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Nottingham,
University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.

3 Research Student, School of Architecture, University of Nottingham,

University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.

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1066 SPATIAL/LATTICE/TENSION STRUCTURES
Figure 1. Traditional horizontal grillage of four beams.
Full scale RF structures of up to 11 metres in diameter have been built in the U.K.
since 1988. A similar configuration of timber beams, 7 metres in diameter, has been
used recently for the roof of the Artopolis at Kumamoto, in southern Japan, described
in Japan Architect (1993). At Lausanne in Switzerland a salt storage building of 26
metre span was constructed with 11 tapered, glued laminated beams, using an
analogous planar grillage as reported by Natterer (1991). Earlier this century,
examples were also constructed by the Spanish architect Jose Maria Jujol, who
worked with Gaudi, at Casa Negre, San Juan Despi, Barcelona in 1915 and Casa
Bofarull, Pallaresos, Tarragona 1913-1918. Both works are portrayed in Flores (1982).
The potential use of these structures in large span roofs has also been described
previously by Chilton (1992).
The Reciprocal Frame
The name Reciprocal Frame, given to the system by the U.K. patentee, derives from
the way in which each beam in the grillage both supports and in turn is supported by
the other beams in the structure (reciprocally). No compression or tension ring is
necessary, as the beams resist vertical loads by bending action. Its geometry, where
a closed circuit of beams is formed, is described in detail below. As it is used mainly
in roof construction, the configuration has considerable visual impact and can appear
very dynamic when viewed from floor level. This is because the primary beam
structure seems to be rotating about an axis, in empty space, at the centre of the roof.
Additionally, there is no apparent means of support for the inner ends of the beams
and this generates a visual tension in the structural form. Experience has shown that
this appeals to architects who are keen to explore the spatial qualities of* the roof
form. In Germany, some architects have named the structure 'Mandala Dach', which
translates as Mandala Roof, due to the resemblance of the configuration in plan to
mandalas used as an aid to meditation in some Eastern religions.
GRILLAGE STRUCTURES 1067
Basic Reciprocal Frame geometry
Each beam in the basic Reciprocal Frame grillage is placed tangentially around
a central closed curve so that it rests upon the preceding beam and this procedure is
continued until the ring is complete, with the first beam resting on the last. An
enclosed polygon, which need not be regular, is formed, with a set of radiating beams
equal in number to the sides in this polygon. The simplest example of a stable planar
beam structure constructed from elements shorter than the span is a system of two
lapped beams (Figure 2(a)) but a minimum of three beams is required for a stable
three-dimensional form (Figure 2(b)). The only restriction on the maximum number
of beams is that of physically assembling them at the central polygon; in the limit a
continuum results. If the central polygon is regular, the plan view of the beams is
similar in appearance to the lines forming the iris of a camera shutter (Figure 2(c)).
Figure 2. Structures with beams shorter than the span (a) elevation on two lapped
beams, (b) plan on minimum, three beam RF three-dimensional grillage and (c)
plan showing similarity to iris of a camera lens.
The grillage beams are also supported near the ends remote from the central polygon
and these supports are located on an outer polygon, which again need not be regular.
As the beams rest upon each other, there is a rise from the outer to the inner polygon
and a three-dimensional structure is formed. Although the RF has been described as
a grillage of beams resting on each other, the principle can be applied equally to
configurations of lattice trusses and also to systems where adjacent beams or trusses
hang from each other (i.e. where the central polygon is below the plane of the outer
supports). In some ways, the structure appears to be similar to some of the tensegrities
of Richard Buckminster Fuller but here the "compression" bars of the tensegrity are
in contact with each other, and act in bending, and there are no tension elements.
1068 SPATIAL/LATTICE/TENSION STRUCTURES
The simplest structures using the Reciprocal Frame are usually polygonal or circular
in form but even in these basic cases there are several variables to be considered
namely :-
• the number of beams - which does not necessarily have to equal the number
of sides of a polygonal building
• the length of beams
• the size of the outer polygon or circle
• the size of the central polygon or circle
• the rise of the roof from the outer supports to the central polygon
• the direction of rotation (clockwise or anti-clockwise).
Some of these variables are mutually dependent. For instance, if beams of similar
length and rise are specified with a set dimension vertically between the beam centres
where they intersect, the size of the inner and outer polygons will depend on the
number of beams comprising the complete circuit.
Alternative geometries
Additional exciting architectural possibilities can be obtained if some of the conditions
of regularity are relaxed. For example, alternative plan forms (either regular or
irregular) may be considered for the perimeter supports and central polygon, the
angles in plan between adjacent beams may be varied around the circuit, the point of
contact between adjacent beams may be varied (and, consequently, the slope, length
and rise of each beam) etc. Also, the height of supporting columns and walls can be
varied at will. Some examples of alternative RF roof beam configurations, for a
variety of building plan forms are shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Examples of alternative RF roof beam configurations, for a variety of
building plan forms.
GRILLAGE STRUCTURES 1069
To counter the potential rotation of the central polygon under load, and the possibility
of progressive collapse of the basic structure, two RFs (one clockwise and one anti-
clockwise) may be used together, connected at the inner polygon. Under load each of
these two RFs will rotate in opposite directions, thus, if they are of similar stiffness
the rotational effects cancel each other out completely.
So far in this paper, it has been assumed that the upper end of each beam terminates
when it reaches the central polygon, however, there is no reason why this should be
the case. Potentially rewarding architectural forms may be derived by allowing the
beams to pass beyond the first intersection. For example, a "crown of thorns" effect
can be achieved if the extended beams project above the roof envelope, especially if
the extensions are of different length. For regular polygonal plans, if the beams
continue so that their highest points are directly above the perimeter of the supporting
polygon, a series of such structures may be stacked to form a rather unstable and
spring-like tower.
Alternative roof covering systems
There are several alternative ways of covering RJF beam grillages some of which
exploit the morphology of the structure both internally and externally whilst others
conceal the structure from the outside to maximise the visual impact on entering the
building.
To date, the structures constructed in the U.K. have had a facetted roof form of
inclined planes, with a vertical step at each beam. However, the roof of the Artopolis
in Kumamoto, Japan has a fairly conventional conical covering with a system of
purlins laid across the grillage beams and rafters set radially. In the facetted
alternative, flat roof panels are fixed to the top of one beam and to the side of the
adjacent beam on which the first beam rests. To achieve this the edge resting on the
beam must be packed with a tapered fillet and the opposite edge has to be chamfered.
At Kumamoto, the purlins do not span directly between adjacent beams but the
straight beams are connected at points slightly offset from the primary beam
centrelines to form a polygon (see Figure 5(a)).
If equivalent positions on adjacent beams are connected by a series of straight lines
a slightly warped, hyperbolic paraboloid surface is generated as can be seen in Figure
4. The formation of a double-curved surface suggests that a tensile membrane
weatherproof envelope, between the beams, may be appropriate.
As yet the authors know of no examples using lightweight membranes for the
weatherproof envelope, however, there are several ways that these could be used, in
addition to that described above. For example, a central mast suspended from the
intersections of the inner polygon could support a conical membrane tensioned by
perimeter cables fixed between the beam supports. Alternatively, the RF structure
could be exposed on the outside, with the apex of a conical membrane suspended
 1070 SPATIAL/LATTICE/TENSION STRUCTURES GRILLAGE STRUCTURES 1071

below the inner polygonal ring, again tensioned by edge cables between the outer
beam ends. Individual panels of the RF can also be covered with tensile membranes
of a variety of forms. For instance, a small conical cap over the central polygon and
separate triangular membranes between adjacent beams. These can easily be formed
to a double curved surface by struts supported by rods or cables from the corners of
the triangular panel.
point load is applied to an individual beam it will be partially carried by all of the
beams in the grillage and the individual beam reactions will depend on the position
of the load and geometry of the grillage. For example, in a five beamed RF, where,
in plan, the beam intersections occur at a distance 2m from the supports along beams
3m long, half (5kN) of a lOkN load applied at the mid-length of one beam will be
transmitted to the adjacent beam. In turn two thirds of this load (3.333kN) will be
carried by the next beam, 2.222kN by the next etc., until some part of the initial load
is returned to the first beam to be further distributed around the circuit. This load
distribution property is beneficial in situations where asymmetrical loads are
encountered, such as wind loading or partial snow loading.

Figure 4. Hyperbolic paraboloid surface formed between RF beams.

Covering the Central polygon

An important consideration is how to form the structure over the central polygon. A
simple cap with radial rafters may be provided, and this was used in the Artopolis at
Kumamoto as well as in the roofs constructed so far in the UK (see enlarged detail
of the Kumamoto roof shown in Figure 5(b)). However, an interesting alternative is
to construct a smaller version of the same beam grillage with rotation in either the
same or opposite direction (Figures 6(a) and (b)). Of course, with this configuration
ever smaller RFs can be stacked on top of each other until the size of the central void
is such that it is impractical to construct another RF to fill it. Alternatively, a small
dome may be provided or, as suggested above, a tensile membrane.

L_Qad_di_stributi_on in the Reciprocal Frame

As the RF is usually only supported at the perimeter, in a regular circular or Figure 5. (a) Plan of the Artopolis roof at Kumamoto and (b) enlarged detail of the
polygonal form carrying a uniformly distributed vertical load the beam reactions are centre of the roof.
all equal to the total roof load divided by the number of beams. However, when a
 1072 SPATIAL/LATTICE/TENSION STRUCTURES
Figure 6. Plan views of systems of stacked RF structures with (a) all anti-
clockwise RFs and (b) alternating clockwise and anti-clockwise RFs.
Post-tensioned RF structures
One of the disadvantages of this structural form is that large deformations that occur,
due to changes in geometry. Just as loads are transmitted from beam to beam around
the grillage, the deflection of any one beam changes the elevation of the end of the
beam resting on it and its inclination. Therefore, the elevation and inclination of all
beams in the structure will be affected by the deflection of all beams, including itself.
It is, however, possible to post-tension combinations of RF structures to limit
movements under variable loads. The tower structure, described earlier, which can be
formed by stacking RFs of a particular type, may be stabilised by tensioning down the
perimeter intersection points of beams. Any load applied to the top of the tower will
then only reduce the forces in the tensioning elements and any resulting vertical
movements will be minimal.
Similarly, if two equivalent RF structures, one orientated normally and one inverted,
GRILLAGE STRUCTURES 1073
are connected together at the outer support polygon and pre-tensioned by pulling the
inner polygons closer together, any additional load applied to the combined structure
(up to the pre-stress load) will cause only limited movement.
Retractable RF structures
A form of retractable roof may be constructed from the RF with beams or trusses
fixed in position, but pinned about their vertical axis, at the perimeter supports. As
each beam within the grillage rests on the adjacent beam, provision of a connection
that permits the upper beam to slide across the lower beam and both beams to rotate
relative to each other, will allow the roof to open like the iris of a camera lens. This
principle is easy to envisage for the basic RF grillage but there are considerable
problems to be overcome to realise this in practice and these are currently under
investigation at the University of Nottingham.
Foldable RF structures
Further interesting possibilities exist if suitable full pin joints are provided about the
vertical axis at the intersection points of the beams. In this case, unless appropriate
restraints are provided at the perimeter supports, RF structures with more than three
beams are mechanisms in the horizontal plane, thus they have the potential to become
foldable or moveable structures. For example, by moving alternate beams under each
other, a basic regular RF structure with 10 beams can form either a regular hexagon
at the centre or a 5 pointed star (as shown in Figures 7(a) and (b)) or any one of an
infinite number of intermediate configurations.
It is possible to conceive of a roof form that can be transformed at the whim of the
building owner to achieve a new dynamic architectural form but, as for the retractable
structure described above, there are several practical problems to be overcome in the
selection and detailing of suitable cladding systems.
Figure 7. Ten beam foldable RF structure in alternative forms (a) with central
decagon and (b) with central five pointed star.
 1074 SPATIAL/LATTICE/TENSION STRUCTURES
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Conclusions
From the many alternative RF structures described briefly above, it can be seen that
there is considerable potential for exploration of this particular structural form. It may
be that, despite their obvious visual appeal, such structures are rarely used because of
practical difficulties in determining their geometry and construction details. To
overcome this first problem, a series of AutoLISP procedures have been developed
to draw the basic beam grillages and further procedures are currently being produced
to generate more complex configurations. Once the basic three-dimensional beam
grillage has been drawn, it is then possible to investigate alternative roof forms for
the areas between the beams.
The authors hope that the concise introduction to the morphology of Reciprocal Frame
beam grillages given in this paper will stimulate practising architects and engineers
to further investigate the potential of this intriguing structural form.
Appendix - References
l.Chilton J. C. and Choo B. S. (1992). "Reciprocal Frame Long Span Structures"
Innovative Large Span Structures ed. Srivastava, Sherbourne and Roorda, The
Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, Montreal, Canada, pp. 100-109.
2.Flores C. (1982). Gaudi. Jujol y el Modernising Catalan. Aguilar, p. 269 and p. 303
SJapan Architect 1993-1 Annual p. 67.
4.Natterer J., Herzog T. and Volz M. (1991). Holzbau Atlas Zwei. Institut fur
Internationale Architektur, Munich, p. 179.
I.P.L. SPACE TRUSSES: STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE
AND ANALYSIS
(COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN OF THE SPATIAL STRUCTURES ON THE PARANET -
MASSIVELY PARALLEL DISTRIBUTED COMPUTER)
1 2 3 A 5
M. Burt , D. Shriftailig , V. Babaev , D. Beilin, A. Bogdanov
ABSTRACT
The utilization of the fast working massively parallel computers in solving intense
numerical problems, in the field of structural engineering left disappointed many of
practical engineers. The solving large systems of equations appears to be effective,
while pre-processing a tedious task taking time which is not comparable with fast
working solvers. This paper presents a method tools for effective pre-processing. By
developing this method the effectiveness of the solvers can be improved as well
creats a positive momentum in the CAD, CAE engineering applications. The method
described herein, although it was developed on the background of the Framed
Structures can be applied to a wide range of continuum problems in various
branches of the modern numerical computing.
INTRODUCTION
The PARANET computer utilizes network of parallel processor with a distinctive
feature that this network can be reconfigurated in real-time. In other terms the
Topology of the network formed by processor links can be altered whenever it is
necessary. The alternation take place either under software or it is being triggered by
a flow of data. The consequences of this dynamic behavior that the great flexibility
can be achieved hi "mirroring" a complexities of a problem under design onto a
"current" configuration. This also enable a dynamic allocation of the network
resources among the processes. This results in a network which may consist of the
processor clusters forming a unit(workstation), a clusters of units, thus forming so
called a distributed computer. The resources can be allocated, dynamically per
process, or group of processes.
i- Prof, D.Sc.; 2- D.Sc., Lecturer; 3-; - Ph.D., Researchers, Faculty of Architecture
and Town Planning, Technion, Haifa 3200, Israel
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