Shell
Reference Book: Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design
N. Krishna Raju
1
❑ Shell: A curved surface having a small thickness compared to the radius
and other dimensions.
❑ Shell structure, in building construction, is a thin, curved plate structure
shaped to transmit applied forces by compressive, tensile, and shear
stresses that act in the plane of the surface.
2
Shell Structure
▪ The shell elements are typically curved and assembled into a large
structure.
▪ It is made of reinforced concrete and serves both as a structure and
covering.
▪ Shell structures are self-supporting and used to cover a large area of span
without any supports of beams, columns, and walls.
▪ Its efficiency is based on its curvature (single or double), which allows
different stress paths and gives the optimum form for transmission of many
different load types.
▪ A single curvature shell is monoclastic, which can be curved in one
direction and comes in the form of barrel vaults or conoid shells.
▪ Double curvature is synclastic and anticlastic which comes in the form of a
sphere or hyperboloid.
3
Components of a shell structure
▪ The structural skeleton and foundation
▪ Base plant
▪ Building cladding
▪ The building envelope
▪ Fire barriers
▪ Fire detection system
▪ Electrical and plumbing systems
▪ Pathways, boundary walls,
▪ Pavement, and fencing
▪ Landscaping
▪ Signage
4
Parts of a Cylindrical Shell
❑ A cylindrical shell may be thought of as a surface generated by a straight
line moving over a plane curve. The straight line generating the surface is
known as the generator and the plane curve that guides it is known as
the directrix.
5
❑ The directrices usually employed are the arc of a circle, the semi-ellipse,
the parabola, the cycloid, and the catenary. A cylindrical shell may or may
not be provided with an edge beam or edge member.
❑ The supporting members at the two ends of a shell are known as the
traverses.
❑ The distance between adjacent traverses is known as the span of the
shell.
❑ The projection of the arc of the shell is generally known as its chord
width.
6
Applications of Shell Structure
▪ The shell structure is typically found in nature as well as in classical
architecture.
▪ Shell structures are also employed in industrial structures like Silos, Tanks,
Cooling Towers, Reactor Vessels, etc.
▪ Auditoriums and food courts
▪ Architectural special structures.
7
Advantages of Shell Structures
▪ Shells or skin space roofs are preferable to plane roofs since they can be
used to cover large floor spaces with economical use of materials for cons-
truction.
▪ Shell structures optimize material usage, leading to lightweight and
resource-efficient construction.
▪ The use of curved space roofs requires 25 to 40% less materials than that
of the plane elements.
▪ Shell structures can cover expansive areas without the need for internal
supports, making them ideal for open and column-free spaces.
▪ Shell structures offer versatile and unique architectural designs, allowing
for aesthetically pleasing and iconic buildings.
▪ The curvature of shell structures facilitates the incorporation of large
openings, promoting ample natural light in interiors.
▪ Well-designed shell structures exhibit inherent stability against certain
types of loads, such as compressive forces.
8
Disadvantages of Shell Structures
▪ Designing and analyzing shell structures can be intricate, requiring
specialized engineering expertise and advanced computational tools.
▪ Shell structures may be less adaptable for certain functional requirements
compared to traditional building forms.
▪ The construction of shell structures may pose challenges, especially when
dealing with large spans or unique geometric shapes.
▪ Shell structures tend to be expensive when only a few units of a kind to be
built.
▪ Thin-shell roofs work out to be competitive or economical only if several
identical units are involved so that many reuses of the forms are ensured.
Otherwise, the cost of the forms tends to make shell roofs expensive
despite their low consumption of materials, such as cement and steel.
▪ Construction costs for shell structures can be relatively high due to
specialized materials, expertise, and construction techniques.
▪ Maintenance and repair of shell structures may be more complex, requiring
specialized knowledge and skills. 9
Types of Shell Structure
❑ Cylindrical Shells
➢ Cylindrical shells are fundamental in aquatic and airborne systems, often
reinforced with frames or ribs.
➢ These are shells in which the generatrix (moving curve) or the directrix
(stationary curve) is a straight line.
➢ For cylindrical shells, the common curves used are the arc of a circle, semi-
ellipse, parabola or catenary.
➢ The various structural components of a cylindrical shell are the thin shell,
edge beam and end frame or traverse.
➢ Some examples include the semi-ellipse, arch circle, cycloid catenary, and
horseshoe form.
10
❑ Multiple Cylindrical Shells
➢ A series of parallel cylindrical shells which are transversely
continuous are termed multiple cylindrical shells.
➢ Generally used for hangers, Warehouses and factory buildings.
11
❑ Continuous Cylindrical Shells
➢ These are cylindrical shells which are longitudinally continuous over the
traverses.
➢ Multiple and continuous cylindrical shells are widely used for market hall
and warehouse roofs.
❑ Asymmetrical Cylindrical Shells
➢ This shell arrangement exhibits asymmetry across the crown, contributing
to unique structural dynamics.
❑ Barrel Shells
➢ Cylindrical shells which are symmetrical about the crown are termed
Barrel shells.
➢ A barrel shell is a collection of very thin arches that have the same
compressive power.
➢ It can withstand very large quantities of weight as long as the weight is
spread proportionally.
12
❑ Barrel Vaults
➢ A barrel vault is a continuous vaulted form that could be semi-circular in
shape, resembling the roof of a cave, or pointing at the apex.
➢ It is usually built by a sequence of edge arches or vaults.
13
❑ North Light Shells
➢ North light shells comprise cylindrical shells with two springings at
different levels and built-in single or multiple bays and have provisions for
north light glazing.
➢ This shell construction is used to provide vast areas of north light
windows for factories that need good natural lighting.
➢ This kind of shell is typically used as a roof in the case of factories.
14
❑ Butterfly shells
➢ A butterfly shell is formed when two parts of a cylindrical shell are joined
together at their lower edges.
➢ This type of shell is commonly used for railway platforms and bus
shelters.
15
❑ Classification of Shells
✓ Singly curved shells that are developable
✓ Doubly curved shells which are non-developable
➢ Common examples of doubly curved shells: circular domes, paraboloid,
ellipsoid, hyperbolic paraboloid and elliptic paraboloid. They will not
tend to flatten out under loads. This explains their superior
performance.
➢ These shells are generally grouped as:
✓ Shells of revolution
✓ Shells of translation
✓ Ruled surfaces
16
❑Shell of Revolution
➢ Shell of revolution is obtained when a plane curve is rotated about the axis
of symmetry.
➢ Common examples: circular dome, the cone and the paraboloid of
revolution.
17
❑ Shells of Translation
➢ Shells of translation are formed when one curve moves parallel to itself
along another curve, the planes of the two curves being at right angles to
each other.
➢ Elliptic paraboloid and hyperbolic paraboloid are common examples of
shells of translation.
18
❑ Single ruled surfaces
➢ If, at every point, a single straight line can be ruled, the surface generated
is termed a singly ruled surface.
➢ These are surfaces that can be generated entirely by straight lines.
➢ Common examples of singly ruled surfaces are cylindrical shells and
conical shells.
❑ Doubly ruled surfaces
➢ If, at every point, two straight lines can be ruled, the surface generated is
termed a doubly ruled surface.
➢ Common examples of doubly ruled surfaces are hyperbolic paraboloid
and hyperboloid of revolution of one sheet.
19
Shells are also classified as thin and thick shells.
➢ Thin shells: A shell can be considered as thin if the ratio of the radius to
the thickness of the shell is greater than 20. In general, most of the shells
used in practice come under the category of thin shells.
❑ Thin cylindrical shells
➢ Long shells: According to the ASCE manual on the design of cylindrical
concrete shell roofs, shells having ratios of radius to span (R/L) less than
0.6 are classified as long shells.
➢ Short shells: If the ratio exceeds this value, the shells are considered
short barrels.
20
❑ Domes
➢ A dome is a structured framework that occupies an area that is somewhat
square or circular.
➢ The domes are connected to a surface formed by some curve rotating
around a vertical line.
21
❑ Membrane
➢ A shell that carries loads entirely by direct stresses lying in its plane is
known as a membrane.
➢ For membrane action to be possible, the shell has to be thin.
22
Why Constructing a Shell Structure is Challenging?
▪ Complex Geometry
➢ The intricate geometry of shell structures often presents challenges in the
structural framing.
➢ Creating a formwork that firmly replicates the complex curves and shapes
requires precision and expertise.
➢ Fabrication techniques such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
machining and robotic fabrication, can produce intricate formwork elements
with exceptional accuracy.
▪ Construction Sequencing
➢ The self-supporting nature of shell architecture makes structural
assembling and stability a difficult feat to achieve.
➢ The use of monitoring systems such as sensors can provide valuable data
on structural performance during construction. 23
Why Constructing a Shell Structure is Challenging?
▪ Material Selection
➢ The material used for building shell structures must possess the necessary
strength, durability, and flexibility to withstand their structural demands and
accommodate their unique geometry.
➢ Additionally, the construction techniques must ensure accurate alignment
and proper integration of structural elements.
➢ Collaborative efforts between architects, structural engineers, and material
specialists are essential to identify suitable materials for shell structures.
▪ Structural Analysis and Optimization
➢ Shell structures often require intricate structural analysis to ensure efficient
load distribution and resistance to external forces.
➢ Finite element analysis (FEA) techniques can assist in optimizing the
shell's shape and thickness, ensuring structural integrity while minimizing
material usage. 24
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS OF SHELLS
The general guidelines followed for selecting the dimensions of the various
structural components of the shell are detailed below.
➢ Thickness
✓ The overall thickness of a reinforced concrete shell should not be less than
50 mm for singly curved shells, 40 mm for doubly curved shells and 25 mm
for pre-cast shells.
✓ Generally the thickness is in the range of 80 mm to 120 mm for most of the
shells based on practical considerations.
➢ Span and Chord Width
✓ The span of reinforced concrete shells should not be greater than 30 m to
limit the size and reinforcement within practicable limits in the edge beams.
✓ For longer spans, pre-stressed edge beams can be used. The width of the
edge member is limited to 2 to 3 times the thickness of the shell.
✓ In shells with chord widths much larger than the span, the chord width shall
be preferably 3 to 6 times the span. 25
➢ Depth of Shells
✓ For large span shells, depth= 1/6 to 1/12 span.
✓ For shells without edge members, depth is not less than 1/10 of the span.
✓ For shells with a chord width much larger than the span, Depth is not less
than 1/10 of the chord width.
➢ Semi-central Angle
✓ The semi-central angle should range from 30 to 45 degrees.
✓ If the angle is less than 45°, the effect of wind load may be ignored.
✓ For larger angles with steep slopes, back forms may be necessary for
casting.
26
➢ Reinforcements in Shell
✓ The diameter of reinforcements should not exceed 10 mm for 50 mm thick
shells, 12 mm for 65 mm thick shells, and 16 mm for shells having a
thickness greater than 65 mm.
✓ In the junction zones where the shell is thickened, larger diameter bars
are permissible.
✓ The spacing of the bars should not be more than five times the thickness
of the shell.
✓ Minimum clear cover must be 12 mm or the nominal size of the
reinforcing bar.
✓ Generally a minimum reinforcement of 0.15 percent of the gross cross
section in the principal direction is recommended for thin shell structures.
27
➢ Shell Joints
✓ In the case of shells of long lengths exceeding 40 m, expansion joints
have to be provided.
✓ The construction joints are provided along the curved lengths of the shell
where the shear forces are minimal.
✓ Shells have to be well cured for a minimum period of two weeks before
decentering. The end beams and diaphragms have to be cured for 3 to 4
weeks before decentering.
28
Q. Why is it possible to span larger openings with a concrete shell that
is hardly 3 in. thick?
➢ Shells and folded plates belong to the class of stressed-skin structures,
which, by virtue of their geometry and small flexural rigidity, tend to carry
applied loads primarily by direct stresses lying in their plane accompanied
by little or no bending.
➢ Their structural action is thus in marked contrast with that of a slab which
carries loads by flexure (Fig.-2). This explains why it is possible to span
openings as large as 100 ft with a concrete shell that is hardly 3 in. thick.
29
Analysis of Cylindrical shell
❑ Beam Theory
▪ In the beam theory developed by Lundgren, the shell is analysed as a
beam of curved cross-section spanning between the end frames or
traverses.
▪ In the case of long shells, the longitudinal force components are
predominant; hence, the beam theory is ideally suited for the analysis.
▪ The beam theory is generally applicable for cylindrical shells of (L/R) ratio
exceeding the value of 11.
▪ In the beam theory, the cross-section of the shell is assumed with or
without edge beams, the sectional properties are determined, and the
stresses are computed using the beam theory.
▪ An arch analysis is also conducted to determine the transverse moments
and thrusts to design suitable reinforcements.
30
Analysis of Cylindrical shell
31
Analysis of Cylindrical shell
32
Example #1
A reinforced concrete circular shell has the following particulars:
▪ Radius= R = 6 m
▪ Span = 2L= 24 m
▪ Semi-central angle = Ø = 60°
▪ Thickness = t = 50 mm
▪ Calculate the maximum stress due to self-weight only in the shell by beam
theory.
33
Solution: Example #1
Rise of shell = (R - R cos 60°) = 6(1- cos 60°) = 3 m
34
Example #2
35
Solution: Example #2
36
Solution: Example #2
37
Beam Method of Analysis
38
Beam Method of Analysis
39
Example #3
40
Solution: Example #3
41
Solution: Example #3
42
Solution: Example #3
43
Solution: Example #3
44
Solution: Example #3
45
46
