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SPACE FRAME STRUCTURES

1.DEFINITION
A space frame or space structure is a truss-like, lightweight rigid structure
constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames can
be used to span large areas with few interior supports.
A space frame is strong because of :-
• The inherent rigidity of the triangle.
• Flexing loads (bending moments) are transmitted as tension and
compression loads along the length of each strut.
•space frame a three-dimensional structure.
•assembled linear elements are arranged to transfer the load.
•Takes form of a flat surface or curved surface.
•designed with no intermediate columns to create large open area.

Load distribution

 Horizontal slab of interlocking square, pyramids and tetrahedral built


from aluminium or tubular steel struts.
•stronger form is composed of interlocking tetrahedral in which all the struts
have unit length.
•more complex variations change the lengths of the struts to curve the overall
structure or may incorporate other geometrical shapes.

2. HISTORY OF SPACE FRAME


•space frames were independently developed by alexander graham bell
around 1900 and Buckminster fuller in the 1950s.Buckminster fuller's focus
was architectural structures.
•it was developed in California during the 1960s and introduced to the south
African market in 1982, specifically developed for unstable soil conditions, the
panels form a monolithic structure offering superior wall strength in which no
cracking will occur.

Buckminster fuller geodesic dome grahambell space frame design

3. DESIGN METHOD SPACE


•frames are typically designed using a rigidity matrix. The special characteristic
of the stiffness matrix in an architectural space frame is independent of
angular factors.
•if the joints are sufficiently rigid, the angular deflections can be neglected,
simplifying the calculations.

4. APPLICATIONS:
•platform or overhead structure that spans large distances without need for
internal loadbearing support.
•In the past few decades, the spread of space frame was mainly due to its
great structural potential and visual beauty. New and imaginative applications
of space frames are being demonstrated in the total range of building types,
like:
•sports arenas •exhibition pavilions •assembly halls •transportation terminals
•airplane hangars •workshops, and warehouses enclosure.

5. MATERIALS
Many materials are used for these space frames, e.g. :- steel, timber.
Steel: steel used for the space frames sustain more load and carry tones of
weight. This steel is mostly used in now-a-days in a long span structures and
has to be maintained property.
Timber: By using this material the maintenance level becomes very high.

6. STRUCTURAL BACKGROUND
A space frames along-spanning three-dimensional plate structure based on the
rigidity of the triangle and composed of linear elements subject only to axial
tension or compression, even in the case of connection by comparatively rigid
joints, the influence of bending or torsional moment is insignificant.

7. CLASSIFICATION OF SPACE FRAMES:


7.0 CURVATURE CLASSIFICATION
1. Space plane covers: spatial structures composed of planar
substructures. Deflections in the plane are channelled through the
horizontal bars and the shear forces are supported by the diagonals.

2. Barrel vaults:
Has a cross section of a simple arch.
Usually this type of space frame does not need to use tetrahedral
modules or pyramids as a part of its backing.

3. Spherical domes: require the use of tetrahedral modules or pyramid


And additional support from a skin.

7.1 CLASSIFICATION BY THE ARRANGEMENT OF ITS ELEMENTS


1. Single layer grid: all elements are located on the surface
approximately.

2. Double layer grid: commonly used spaceframes are double layered


and flat. Elements are organized in two parallel layers with each other at
a certain distance apart.

3. Triple layer grid: elements are placed in three parallel layers, linked
by the diagonals. Practically used for a larger span building.
7.2 TYPES OF TUBES
1. Nodus connector:
It can accept both rectangular and circular hollow sections and that the
cladding can be fixed directly to the chords. Chord connectors have to
be welded to the ends of the hollow members on site.

2. Triodetic connector: consists of a hub, usually an aluminium


extrusion, with slots or key ways.
3. Tubal node connector:
Hollow sphere made of spheroidal graphite.
End of the circular hollow section member to be connected is fitted
at its ends by welding connection from inside the cup is done using
bolt and nut.

8.0 TYPES OF SPACE FRAME CONNECTION

8.1 SPACE FRAME COMPONENTS:


MEMBER
•Members are axial elements with circular or rectangular sections, all
members can only resist tension or compression.
•the space grid is built of relatively long tension members and short
compression members. A trend is very noticeable in which the structural
members are left exposed as a part of the architectural expression.
JOINTS
•In a space frame, connecting joints play an important role, both functional
and aesthetic, which derives from their rationality during construction and
after completion.
•since joints have a decisive effect on the strength and stiffness of the
structure and compose around 20 to 30 percent of the total weight, joint
design is critical to space frame economy and safety.

Advantages:
•lightweight -this is mainly due to the fact that material is distributed spatially
in such a way that the load transfer mechanism is primarily axial.
Consequently, all material in any given element is utilized to its full extent.
Furthermore, most space frames are now constructed with aluminium, which
decreases considerably their self-weight.
•stiffness-a space frame is usually sufficiently stiff in spite of its lightness. This
is due to its three- dimensional character and to the full participation of its
constituent elements.
•versatility -space frames possess a versatility of shape and form and can
utilize a standard module to generate various flat space grids, latticed shell, or
even free-form shapes. Architects appreciate the visual beauty and the
impressive simplicity of lines in space frames.

Disadvantages:
•One major disadvantage is that they can be difficult to engineer. It's not
straightforward to determine how forces will distribute throughout a structure
that has a lot of redundant pieces.

CASE STUDY:SPACE FRAME FOR THE ‘SYMBOL ZONE’,


EXPO ’70, OSAKA, JAPAN
Completed: 1969
Architects: kenzo tange space frame
Theme space architects: tomoo fukuda
koji kamiya engineer: yoshikatsu tsuboi

•the world exposition in Osaka, in 1970, had as its theme ‘progress and
harmony for humanity’ and at its centre the festival square, masterminded by
kenzo tange, was to symbolize the expression of ‘... A festival where human
beings can meet, shake hands, accord minds and exchange wisdoms’.
• A huge, translucent, space truss roof 291.6 m by 108 m,
•supported on only six lattice columns
•at a height of 30 m above the ground,
•covered the festival square and dominated the site. Based on a 10.8 m by
10.8 m square on square offset grid 7.637 m deep,
•the roof spanned 75.6 m between column centres across its width, with
cantilevers of 16.2 m at each side.
•in the longitudinal direction, there were two 108 m spans and 37.8 m
cantilevers at each end.
•as can be seen in the plan and east elevation of the pavilion shown in, one
main span of the space grid was pierced by a circular opening diameter to
allow the symbolic Helios tower or tower of the sun, rising from the concourse
of humanity, to soar above the roof.
•this was space truss construction on a huge scale and the length of the
compression members required the use of
•large-diameter steel tubes, • 500 mm for chords and •350 mm for diagonals.
•the tubes, of similar external dimension, varied in thickness from 7.9 to 30
mm, depending on the forces to be resisted, and were welded to conical cast
steel end pieces.
•these were then connected by 70 to 188 mm diameter high-tensile steel
bolts to giant hollow cast steel spherical nodes 800 to 1000 mm in diameter.

•the aesthetic of the roof structure was continued in the supporting columns
which were constructed from similar elements, surrounding a central 1.8 m
diameter tubular post.
•a total of 2272 tube members were used, connected at 639 nodes.
•for space grids it is essential that the position of the nodes conforms to the
proposed geometry. This is usually achieved by fabricating individual members
and nodes to a high degree of accuracy, so that when they are assembled
accumulated errors or tolerances do not affect the overall geometry, but this is
expensive.

•assembly of the space grid was carried out on the ground around the 1803
mm diameter central posts of the permanent columns. Subsequently, the roof
was lifted in 80 mm steps, at the average rate of 2 m per day, using climbing
pneumatic jacks of 450-tonne capacity.
• as the roof was lifted, erection of the outer framework of the columns was
commenced and temporary struts were set in place at the base to provide
rigidity against lateral seismic and wind forces, as can be seen in the erection
sequence.
When the lifting operation was completed, the load was transferred from the
jacks to the permanent column structure by installation of the capital joints
and removal of the temporary struts at the base.
•the upper skin was formed from six layers and the lower from five layers of
polyester, with each layer running perpendicularly to those adjacent. Inflation
was with dry air normally at 50 mm water pressure, or 100 mm in strong wind
conditions. A special ultraviolet-resistant film was used for the outer layers of
each pillow.3 the use of inflated pillows within roof structures is currently
finding favour with the use of highly translucent ethyl tetra fluro ethylene
(etfe) membranes.

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