SPACE FRAMES

REPORT

AYUSH DATTA
170823005 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION - V
INTRODUCTION

A space frame is a truss like structure which is light weight, rigid and can cover long spans with very few interior
supports. Struts are interlocked three dimensionally and the whole structure is made as an integral unit which can
take load at any point. It takes advantage of the geometric stability of the triangle to form structures that appear
to defy size, space, and gravity.

DISCOVERY

Alexander Graham Bell actually developed the earliest space frame to solve a problem of weight vs. stability in
vehicles he was designing. The space frame takes the natural strength of an equilateral triangle when pressure
is applied to the point at the top. The two sides connected to the point compress naturally, but are given stability
by the bottom leg that prevents further collapse of the shape. Richard Buckminster Fuller developed the space
frame into modelled shapes like the tetrahedron, which had incredible stability and light weight. He was able to
construct structures that not only were stable, but became stronger the larger than they were.

CONSTRUCTION

The simplest form of space frame is a horizontal slab of interlocking square pyramids and tetrahedra built from
aluminium or tubular steel struts. In many ways this looks like the horizontal jib of a tower crane repeated many
times to make it wider. A tetrahedron is a polyhedron with 4 sides, also called pyramids. The MERO system was
the first commercial space grid system. Despite Bell's construction of modular space trusses early this century,
the MERO system was the first space grid system widely available commercially. This was developed in Germany
by Dr. Ing. Max Mengeringhausen. The MERO system is probably the most elegant concept for the construction
of space grid structures, the connection of circular tube members to 'ball' joints at the nodes by a single concealed
bolt. It developed from Mengeringhausen's study of natural structures such as wheat stalks and bamboo canes.
The name MERO derives from an abbreviation of the original name Mengeringhausen Rohrbauweise.

Usually the members are circular hollow steel or aluminium tubes that have tapered cone sections welded to each
end (complete with connection bolt and sleeve) and the nodes are hot forged solid steel or drop forged aluminium
spheres with drilled and tapped holes and profiled to receive the tube ends. It is also possible to use laminated
timber members that have short tubular steel inserts at the ends for connection to the nodes. The MERO system
uses the most common method of space truss construction consisting of individual bars connected at 'ball' shaped
node joints.

The Space Deck system consists of pyramidal units constructed from a square frame of steel angles connected
by circular steel tube bracing members to a cast steel boss. All elements of the pyramids are welded together in
a jig to ensure dimensional accuracy. Assembly is achieved by bolting the angle frames of the pyramids together
and then connecting the cast steel bosses with tie bars. In Canada, the Triodetic system, predominantly using
aluminium as the material for the bars and joints, was introduced by Fentiman Bros. of Ottawa.

TRIODETIC SYSTEM

GUSSET PLATE

TYPES OF SPACE FRAME GRIDS

TYPES OF SINGLE LAYERED GRIDS

1.ORTHOGONAL GRID

the first three types of braced barrel vaults can be formed by composing lattice trusses with difference in
arrangement of bracings. This is formed by arranging the struts orthogonally and diagonally together to form a
grid

2.DIAMOND PATTRENED LAMELA OPENINGS

the popular diamond patterned lamella braced vault consists of a number of interconnected modular units forming
a rhombus shaped grid pattern. Each unit which is twice the length of side of diamond is called lamella. They are
proved ideal for prefabricated construction as all the units are of standard size.

3.THREE WAY BRACING VAULT

4.THREE WAY GRID DOME

the construction of three-way grid dome is self-explanatory, which may be imagined as a curved form of three-
way double layered grids. This shows that even under unsymmetrical loading the forces are evenly distributed
making it the most economical.

5.GEODESIC DOME

the geodesic dome was developed by American designer Buckminster fuller.in his original geodesic domes he
used an icosahedron as the basis for the geodesic subdivision of the sphere.
TYPES OF DOUBLE LAYERED GRIDS

1.TWO WAY ORTHOGONAL LATTICE GRIDS

2.TWO WAY DIAGONAL LATTICE GRIDS

3.ORTHOGONAL SQUARE PYRAMID SPACE GRIDS

VERTCAL SUPPORTS

1.INVERTED PYRAMID
2.TRIPLE LAYER GRIDS
WHY CHOOSE THE 3D SPACE FRAME STRUCTURES?

Due to the 3D nature of space frame system long and clear spans up to 180 m can be easily achieved in
lightweight steel construction, whereas this is extremely difficult in conventional structures, if done with difficulty
they will be heavier by two or three-fold compared to space frames. Since space frames are factory produced as
light weight components maximum 3.5 m length, they can be Hot Dip Galvanized in Molten Zinc bath and over
the galvanized surface they are further protected by either by powder coat or liquid spray paint to protect the
entire structure from corrosion especially when serviced in extremely corrosive environment ( i.e Corrosion Class
4 (Near Sea, Chemical Industries etc.), this coating system can warrant for a period of 20 years for first
maintenance of the coating work on structure.

CONSTRUCTION METHODS

Scaffold Method

Individuals Elements are Assembled in Place at actual Elevations, members and joints or prefabricated
subassembly elements are assembled directly on their final position.

Block Assembly Method

The Space frame is divided on its plan into individual strips or blocks These units are fabricated on the ground
level, then hoisted up into final position and assembled on the temporary supports.

Lift-up Method

The whole space frame is assembled at ground level so that most of the work can be done before hoisting.

ADVANTAGES OF SPACE FRAMES

 One of the most important advantages of a space frame structure is its light weight. It is mainly due to
fact that material is distributed spatially in such a way that the load transfer mechanism is primarily axial
tension or compression.
 The units of space frames are usually mass produced in the factory so that they can take full advantage
of an industrialized system of construction. Space frames can be built from simple prefabricated units,
which are often of standard size and shape. Such units can be easily transported and rapidly assembled
on site by semi-skilled labour.
 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. the space frames also allow greater
flexibility in layout and positioning of columns.
 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.

EXAMPLES

1.HALL OF NATIONS
Material used: concrete

2.OGUNI DOME

Material used: wood

Material used: steel and glass

4.EDEN PROJECT

Material used: steel and thermoplastic

These examples demonstrate that space grids have come of age and that from the regular modular systems
developed around fifty years ago, diverse possibilities of geometry and deployability are now beginning to be
explored and exploited. Computer controlled cutting, machining and drilling of space grid components means
that designers are no longer restricted to standard geometries. The technology and materials developed
for these giant structures is now available to be used in the construction of space grid, megastructures. In
this area double-layer tensegrity grids and quasicrystal grids are still in their infancy with many, perhaps as yet
unthought of, grid forms to be discovered. Folding, deployable and retractable structures, too, have yet to
realize their full potential.
BIBILIOGRAPHY/IMAGE CREDIT

https://issuu.com/kadimalasady/docs/spaceframe

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3927499.html

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Space-Frame-Structures-
Lan/c81de2134b42f4cee2c66a3c2e5961607b0222ac/figure/31

https://web.archive.org/web/20160915031431/http://tatproddel.tat.cloud.opentext.com/sites/constructionuk/defa
ult/en/reference/teaching-resources/architectural-teaching-resource/design/space-grid-structures/Grid-
configurations