Structures and Architecture - Bridging the Gap and Crossing Borders

Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Structures and Architecture (ICSA 2019), July 24-26, 2019, Lisbon, Portugal

Paulo J.S. Cruz, Paulo J.S. Cruz

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781351858144
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Construction & Architectural Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Structures and Architecture – Bridging the Gap and Crossing Borders contains the lectures and papers presented at the Fourth International Conference on Structures and Architecture (ICSA2019) that was held in Lisbon, Portugal, in July 2019. It also contains a multimedia device with the full texts of the lectures presented at the conference, including the 5 keynote lectures, and almost 150 selected contributions.

The contributions on creative and scientific aspects in the conception and construction of structures, on advanced technologies and on complex architectural and structural applications represent a fine blend of scientific, technical and practical novelties in both fields.

ICSA2019 covered all major aspects of structures and architecture, including: building envelopes/façades; comprehension of complex forms; computer and experimental methods; futuristic structures; concrete and masonry structures; educating architects and structural engineers; emerging technologies; glass structures; innovative architectural and structural design; lightweight and membrane structures; special structures; steel and composite structures; structural design challenges; tall buildings; the borderline between architecture and structural engineering; the history of the relationship between architects and structural engineers; the tectonic of architectural solutions; the use of new materials; timber structures, among others.

This set of book and multimedia device is intended for a global readership of researchers and practitioners, including architects, structural and construction engineers, builders and building consultants, constructors, material suppliers and product manufacturers, and other professionals involved in the design and realization of architectural, structural and infrastructural projects.

Configuration and mechanical characteristics of 1.5-Layer Space Frames

P.-S. Chen

Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka, Japan

ABSTRACT: The structural system of 1.5-Layer Space Frame is proposed by the author, which is composed by two layers of joints and one layer of chords and diagonal members. The present paper will introduce the methodology for assembling a 1.5-Layer Space Frame, and promote some configuration patterns for its practical construction, such as Lap-units, Crossing-units, Triple-connecting and units of pyramids etc. Furthermore, the present paper will explore the relationship between the buckling capacity and the geometrical parameters such as member sections, grid-depth ratio (depth/chord length), rise-span ratio, etc. In addition, the author will compare the buckling characteristics of 1.5-layer space frames with that of single layer ones, and summarize the main conclusions for structural design against buckling.

1 Introduction

To imitate and evolve structure forms from natural structures and/or historical structures, namely form designs by human intelligence, are still very important for all practical purpose. While, ancient structures are rich in great intelligence of human being, and their methodology is able to inspire and enhance modern structural design with aesthetic originality. In fact, the author have being devoting to shedding light on the structural principle of an ancient wooden bridge, Hongqiao, and trying to discover new structural system from its structural principle (Chen, 2007; Chen,2008). Hongqiao was an arch shaped wooden bridge built in around A.D.1041 (Northern Song Dynasty period) in Kaifeng China. Unfortunately, it was collapsed by floods from the Yellow River around A.D.1290, and we can only see her beautiful form in a famous Chinese painting, Qingming Shanghe Tu, which a part of the painting is shown in Fig.1(a).

Figure 1. The idea of 1.5-Layer Space Frame is inspired frame Hongqiao

In order to find the application of the structural principles of Hongqiao in the modern structural design, Lap-beam system is developed by the author (Chen, 2011), as that shown in Fig. 1(b). However, both the cylindrical and dome like structures of the Lap-beam are identical to typical configuration of basket meshes in Fig. 1(c). Therefore, the prototype of the Hongqiao is predicted being imitated from a style of basket meshing (Chen 2008; Chen 2011). The study model shown in Fig.(d) represents the central lines of the bamboo grilles of the basket. By adding upper chords on to the frame work of Fig. 1(d), a space frame shown in Fig. 1(e) can be obtained. There are two layers of joints and one layer of chords linked by diagonal members, so that the author named it a “1.5-Layer Space Frame”.

As will be explained in the next section, the 1.5-Layer Space Frame has two layers of joints and one layer of chords and diagonal members. Unlike a conventional double layer space frame, the 1.5-Layer Space Frame has no lower chords, or when it is oriented upside down, no upper chords. And unlike a single layer space frame, diagonal members are mounted onto the latticed surface and efficiently strengthen it, so that the entire structure can be constructed in subtle curvatures or as a plane.

In the present paper the author will introduce the methodology for assembling a 1.5-Layer Space Frame, and promote some examples of assembling patterns for practical construction. In order to enhance modern structural design with aesthetic originality, the author will promote an ontology for its configuration inspired by patterns/grids of traditional culture, and representing some cultural heritage.

However, the 1.5-Layer space frame is a new discovery, its mechanical characteristics are under researching, the author will explore the relationship between the buckling capacity and the geometrical parameters such as member sections, grid-depth ratio (depth/chord length), rise-span ratio, etc. In addition, the author will compare the buckling characteristics of 1.5-layer space frames with that of single layer ones, and summarize the main conclusions for structural design against buckling.

2 The Ideology and Configuration Patterns

The conception process to assemble a 1.5-Layer space frame can basically be started from triangle or polygon key parts, and composing these key parts into some basic units, such as the Lap-units and Crossing-units, pyramids etc. Then, the 1.5-Layer Space Frames with planar or curved shapes in various grids may be assembled with these units. The assembling methods and configurations with these units will be introduced in the following sections.

Figure 2. 1.5-Layer Space Frame with Lap-units

Figure 3. 1.5-Layer Space Frame with Crossing-units

Figure 4. A design with Chinese window grilles

Figure 5. A design of Kigo pattern

2.1 Lap-units and crossing-units

The Lap-units, as shown in Figure 2, is to set one end of a key part onto the central joint of another key part such that the key parts may support each another mutually. The method of Crossing-units is that the basic units are assembled by crossing two more key parts together as shown in Figure 3, and then the whole structure can be built by connecting these Crossing-units in a certain assembling rule. Figure 4 shows a structure designed with traditional Chinese window grilles, and Figure 5 represents a Kigo pattern which used Triple Connecting explaining in the next section.

In addition, a structure similar to the assembling method of Lap-units has been used for a practice construction of an archaeological museum in Bibracte Burgundy France in 2008, which is designed by Paul Andreu and Bemard Vaudeville and Simon Aubry (RFR first stage and T/E/S/S second stage) (Simon et. al., 2011). But the assembling method of Crossing-units of the proposed system is different from this reciprocal system.

2.2 Triple-Connecting

Three pieces of triangles (the key parts) can be joined together to make a so called Triple Connecting Unit. As shown in Figure 6, by setting one end of a Triple-Connecting Unit onto the central joint of another unit, r...