Space frame

Summary

In architecture and structural engineering, a space frame or space structure (3D truss) is a rigid, lightweight, truss-like structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames can be used to span large areas with few interior supports. Like the truss, 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. Chief applications include buildings and vehicles. History Alexander Graham Bell from 1898 to 1908 developed space frames based on tetrahedral geometry. Bell's interest was primarily in using them to make rigid frames for nautical and aeronautical engineering, with the tetrahedral truss being one of his inventions. Max Mengeringhausen developed the space grid system called MERO (acronym of MEngeringhausen ROhrbauweise) in 1943 in Germany, thus initiating the use of space trusses in architecture. The commonly u

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_frame

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Synthesis of Kit-of-parts Structures for Reuse

Jan Friedrich Georg Brütting, Corentin Jean Dominique Fivet, Ioannis Mirtsopoulos, Alex-Manuel Muresan, Gennaro Senatore

This paper shows a computational workflow to design a kit of parts consisting of linear bars and spherical joints that can be employed to assemble, take apart, and rebuild diverse reticular structures, e.g. gridshells and space frames. Being able to reuse bars and joints among different structures designed with this method reduces the material demand compared to one-off construction. The input of the method is a set of different reticular structures intended to be built from a common kit of parts. In a first step, the structure geometries are optimised such that the structures share groups of members with identical lengths to allow the placement of same bars in all structures. In a second step, the kit-of-parts joints are optimised to allow their reuse in different structures as well. This is achieved by merging the specific connection patterns of nodes from different structures into one joint. The potential of the proposed method is demonstrated via its application to two case studies: 1) the design of three temporary space frame roofs, and 2) the realisation of three pavilion-scale prototypes serving as a proof of concept. The latter case study also shows the robotic fabrication of the bespoke joints.

2021

Design and fabrication of a reusable kit of parts for diverse structures

Jan Friedrich Georg Brütting, Corentin Jean Dominique Fivet, Gennaro Senatore

Reusing structural components for multiple service cycles has potential to lower building structures environmental impact because it reduces material resource use, energy consumption, and waste production. One strategy to reuse structural components is to design structures that can be assembled, taken apart, and reassembled in new configurations. This paper presents a new computational workflow to design a bespoke kit of parts that can be employed to build structures of diverse typologies and that are not restricted to repetitive modular arrangements. Key to this method is the optimization of structural members and joints (i.e. the kit of parts) that fit multiple geometries and different structural requirements. The proposed method includes form finding and digital fabrication and it applies to the design of trusses, gridshells, and space frames. This method has been successfully applied to build three pavilion-scale prototypes from only half the number of parts compared to one-off construction.

2021

The present paper proposes an improved design of conventional buckling braces (CBBs) by introducing intentional eccentricity along the brace length. The proposed brace is named the Brace with Intentional Eccentricity (BIE). Due to the inherent action moment caused by the eccentrically applied axial force, the BIE bends uniformly form small story drifts and sustains tri-liner behavior under tension, while under compression moves smoothly into the post-buckling behavior. BIE provides independent design of strength and stiffness, large post-yielding stiffness and high ductility by delaying the appearance of mid-length local buckling. The present experimental study consists of three specimens subjected to cyclic flexural load protocol with variable intensities from 0.10% to 4.0% story drift angle. Gusset plate connections designed to accommodate inelastic rotations were used to connect the bracing members in the loading frame. Different values of the applied eccentricity were tested and comparisons with a CBB were made to examine and evaluate various aspects of the BIE cyclic behavior.

International Association of Earthquake Engineering2017