Shells and Arches

Chapter 10
Introduction
A shell structure is a thin curved membrane or slab usually of
reinforced concrete that functions both as structure and
covering. Shell possesses strength and rigidity due to its thin
nature and curved form.
Interestingly, many shell shapes are found in nature. Biological
structures are never square or angular but are curved, and
composed of shells and tubes.
 Classification of shells

• Arches can be considered

as 2D shell
Structural Efficiency of Shells
Shells are structures that derive their
strength from form rather than mass.
Load flows in a natural and
predictable pattern. By matching the
form of the structure with the load's
natural flow path, an optimal design
can be created. This matching of
form and flow results in materially
efficient structures that can resist a
multitude of severe loading events.
Shells, for the most part, carry the load by membrane action (in-
plane compression or tension stresses) and are highly efficient
load-carrying structures. Because shells carry stresses efficiently,
only minimal material is required, and this is the reason why
these structures are often referred to as thin shells.
Structural Efficiency of Shells
Flat plates and plane stress

Plane stress Plate bending

The challenge of shell design is to find the appropriate form for

the given problem. And the joy of shell design is that an infinite
number of structural forms are waiting to be discovered. Even
highly constrained boundary conditions can still lead to a vastly
rich landscape of forms to explore.
Finding shape: The Concept
The earliest example of structural form
finding of shells was formulated by
Robert Hooke (1635–1703). The idea is
simple: invert the shape of the hanging
chain, which by definition is in pure
tension and free of bending, to obtain the
equivalent arch that acts in pure
compression (‘Hooke’s law of inversion’).

The form of the ideal arch will depend on the applied loading. For
a chain of constant weight per unit length, the shape of a
hanging chain acting under self-weight is a catenary (above). But
if the load is uniformly distributed horizontally, the ideal arch
would take the form of a parabola, and the chain would take
different geometries according to the loading.
Finding shape: The Concept
The span/rise ratio (L/d) of the arch can vary widely, though most
shell structures occur in the range of 2<L/d < 10. Thus, even a
simple two-dimensional arch has infinite possible forms which
would act in pure compression under self-weight, depending on
the distribution of weight and the rise of the arch.
Three-dimensional funicular systems are considerably more
complex because of the multiple load paths that are possible.
Unlike the two-dimensional arch, the three-dimensional shell can
carry a wide range of different loadings through membrane
behavior without introducing bending.
However, a three-dimensional model of intersecting chains could
be created. This hanging model could be used to design a
discrete shell, in which elements are connected at nodes, or the
model could be used to help define a continuous surface.
Finding shape: The Concept
Physical models by Isler

• Antoni Gaudi, designed the

Sagrada Familia from a series
of hanging chains
Finding shape: The Concept
Hanging-chain model of the
Multihalle in Mannheim

Model material shall be carefully selected

Finding shape
Provide a structure of curved or linear members for the loads given
below. Two foundations are given to support the structure. Draw a
pure compression structure to support the given loads, using the
hanging chain analogy. Firstly, assume that the self-weight of the
support structure is negligible compared to the forces (P).
Secondly, assume that the self-weight is significant, and must be
considered in the configuration of the support structure.
Finding shape
Arches

• Catenary arch
• parabolic arch
Catenary & Parabolic arch
A parabolic arch is an arch in the shape of a parabola. When
subjected to a uniformly distributed load above, the internal
stress will be compression only and follow the center of the
curve. This arch produces the most thrust at the base and can
span wide areas. It is commonly used in bridge design, where
long spans are needed.
If the load is constantly distributed along the length of the arch
instead of horizontally, the resulting compression stress will
follow a catenary curve.
A catenary is the name for a curve that occurs naturally when a
chain of uniform density is allowed to hang. The word itself is
derived from the Latin, catena, which means chain.
Catenary & Parabolic arch
For relatively small values of x the
parabola and catenary appear quite
similar, but as x increases in size, the
difference is rather dramatic.

Catenary function formula (red)

catenary parabola
cosh 1

Parabolic arch formula

4
Arch Action
The external vertical load applied to the
arch creates a horizontal reaction, so
horizontal supports shall be provided to
achieve equilibrium.
For a catenary arch, the load will transfer
to the support through the thrust line,
causing compression over the arch length.
Arch Supports Conditions
Three‐Hinged Arch
Hinges at the crown and abutment; Statistically Determinate;
Appropriate for structures under slight horizontal movement as it is
not affected by settlement or temperature changes. However, they
experience much more deflection and the hinges are complex and
can be difficult to fabricate. Mostly used in bridges.
Arch Supports Conditions
Three‐Hinged Arch Example‐ The
Efficiency Factors
Salginatobel Bridge, spanning the Salgina
Valley ravine, is the earliest surviving three- Form
hinged, hollow box arch bridge designed by
Robert Maillart. The design provided the Profile
lowest cost of 19 designs submitted for the Cross section
bridge's original design competition.

Cross section
Arch Supports Conditions
Two‐Hinged Arch
Statically Indeterminate structure; Interior stresses in the arch are
dependent on its form and act differently upon its various parts.
These types of arches are more stiff compared to three-hinged
arches; it is somewhat insensitive to settlement. Used in Bridges.
Arch Supports Conditions
Fixed Arch: Statically Indeterminate structure; Interior stresses
in the arch are dependent in part on its change of form. These
types of arches are stiffer than two-hinged arches. It is very
insensitive to settlement. A fixed arch is often made from
reinforced concrete. Used in Buildings.
Tied Arch: A tied arch allows the
structure to behave as a rigid unit. Rather
than relying on the foundation to restrain
the horizontal forces, the girder itself
"ties" both ends of the arch together,
thus the name "tied arch“. It is also
unaffected by the relative settlement of
the supports.
Airship hangars at Paris-Orly airport

The structure was formed from a series of parabolic fixed arches

around 90 m span and 60 m high. It is the first folded reinforced
concrete building, built in 1923.
Santa Justa Train Station, Seville, Spain

1. Parabolic arch profile is subjected to uniform load. 2. A funicular

form minimizes the bending action. 3. Arches are supported by a
deep side beam. 4. Beams are supported by circular mega
columns.
Vault Structures
A vault can be created with a series
of parallel arches between which a
secondary structure is inserted. If
the arches are brought together to
the point of touching, making the
secondary structure unnecessary,
the result will be a vault (more
precisely, a barrel vault).
The use of modern materials like
reinforced concrete, sheet metal,
and composite materials permits
the construction of sufficiently
stable vaults by corrugating the
surface leading to significant
savings on material.
Vault Structures
By crossing two perpendicular barrel vaults
and removing the portions blocking the
passage below the point of intersection at the
top, a new structural figure is obtained, known
as the groin vault (or cross vault).
Groin vaults arc usually much more stable than
barrel vaults. This is because the two vault
elements can cooperate to stabilize each
other.

Fan Vault
Barrel vault loads
Barrel vault loads
Application of vault in Architecture
Vaults are commonly found in Romanesque, Byzantine, and
Islamic architecture. A traditional vault is built of stone or brick.
Modern vaults are generally built of RCC.
Local architecture widely used vaults made of stones.
Bacardí Factory in Cuautitlán, Mexico
Félix Candela

The factory roof consisted of three adjacent hyperbolic paraboloid

groined vaults 4cm. thick and 26 m square in plan with 2.5 m.
overhangs on each side.
Spherical shells - Domes
Dome is the simplest type of
synclastic shell. It is used as a
roof and ceiling, usually to cover
long spans.
From the architectural element
point of view dome resembles
the hollow hemisphere.
Dome has been used in various
ways in Classical European Pantheon, Rome (120AD)
Architecture, Islamic
Architecture and in the Modern
Architecture as well.
Types of Forces in Spherical Shells

Under downward gravity loading a dome shows stresses in two

mutually perpendicular directions. Additionally, a dome shows a
complete arch action wherein the top portion sinks down and the
bottom portion bulges out.
Types of Forces in Spherical Shells
Types of Forces in Spherical Shells
The figure below shows the distribution of meridional and hoop
forces. As is evident, the meridional forces are always in
compression, while the hoop forces undergo a transition at an
angle of 51°49’, as measured from the perpendicular.
Domes cut off above this angle develop compression stresses
only in their surfaces, whereas deeper domes can develop
tension stresses in the hoop direction. The magnitude of the
stresses, however, always remains relatively low.
Support conditions: tension and
compression rings
In much the same way that buttresses or tie-rods must be used
to contain the horizontal thrusts of arches, some device must be
used to absorb the horizontal thrusts associated with the
meridional in-plane forces at the lower edge of the shell.
Support conditions: tension and
compression rings
Support conditions: tension and
compression rings
The use of a tension ring does, however, induce bending in the
shell surface where the ring and shell intersect. However, this
bending rapidly dies out in shells, so the bulk of the shell’s
surface is unaffected. The shell edge is locally stiffened and
reinforced for bending.
Types of Domes
Application of Domes in Architecture
University of Tabuk Mosque

The roof is made of a ribbed

reinforced concrete dome about
90 m in diameter. The ribs are
reinforced concrete beams 30X60
m and toped by 10 cm slab, and
supported by irregular huge main
Ring beam which is supported by
1.3 m diameter columns.
Application of Domes in Architecture
Assembly Hall, University of Illinois
120 m diameter ribbed reinforced
concrete dome. The ribs are
folded-plate construction. Dome
was cast on falsework, then the
ring beam on which it rests was
prestressed by wrapping it with
steel wire under high tension until
the dome became self-
supporting.
Hyperbolic Paraboloid Shells
Hyperbolic Paraboloids resemble the
shape of a saddle formed by the
combination of concave and convex
surfaces. They are doubly curved
surfaces with negative Gaussian
curvature.
This type of shell structure can be built to what appears to be the
ultimate in the lightness of construction, minimum reinforcing,
and ease of moving forms.
If the edge conditions can offer restraint (i.e., foundations or stiff
edge beams), an arch-like action will exist in regions of convex
curvature and a cable-like action in regions of concave curvature.
The stress field in the plate is thus compressive in one direction
and tensile in the perpendicular direction, each of which is at 45°
to the original straight-line generators.
Hyperbolic Paraboloid Shells

Hyperbolic paraboloid - The

general nature of the forces
Application of Shells in Architecture
the L ́Oceanogràfic in
Valencia
Hyperbolic parabola
structures of the
L ́Oceanogràfic in Valencia,
Spain designed by Felix
Candela.
Candela used thin-shell
reinforced concrete to create
his signature hyperbolic
parabola structures.
L’Oceanographic was his final
project, which was completed
in 1997.