COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
COURSE TITLE : BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION III
COURSE CODE : ARCH 3171

ASSIGNMENT TITLE : SHELL AND DOME

GROUP MEMBERS
NAME ID No
1. NUREDIN HASSEN NSR/1699/13
2. KEROD DENDIR NSR/2355/13
3. ELIAS KHALIWE NSR/0736/13
4. WUDASE ADUGNA NSR/2158/13
5. DAWIT TAFERE NSR/0609/13
6. YARED ADDISU NSR/2179/13

SUBMITTED TO : Mr. MINTESNOT T.

SUBMITION DATE : 17/04/2015 E.C.
 Table of Contents

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………...1

What Is Shell Structure?……………………………………………………………………..2

Types of Shell Structure………………………………………………………………………3

Applications of Shell Structure………………………………………………………….8

Shell Structure Examples………………………………………………………………………9

Advantages & Disadvantages of Shell Structures……………….9

Domes ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10

Types of dome…………………………………………………………………………………………..11

Structural strength of domes…………………………………………………………16

Construction techniques ………………………………………………………………………17

References ………………………………………………………………………………………….………18
 Table of Contents
Figure 1……………………………………………………………. 3
Figure 2…………………………………………………………. 4
Figure 3…………………………………………………………. 4
Figure 4…………………………………………………………. 5
Figure 5…………………………………………………………. 6
Figure 6…………………………………………………………. 6
Figure 7…………………………………………………………. 7
Figure 8………………………………………………………… 8
Figure 9………………………………………………………… 8
Figure 10…………………………………………………………… 9
Figure 11………………………………………………………….… 9
Figure 12…………………………………………………………… 11
Figure 13…………………………………………………………… 11
Figure 14…………………………………………………………… 11
Figure 15…………………………………………………………… 12
Figure 16…………………………………………………………… 12
Figure 17…………………………………………………………… 12
Figure 18…………………………………………………………… 12
Figure 19…………………………………………………………… 13
Figure 20…………………………………………………………… 13
Figure 21……………………………………………………………….. 13
Figure 22…………………………………………………………… 13
Figure 23…………………………………………………………… 13
Figure 24…………………………………………………………… 13
Figure 25…………………………………………………………… 14
Figure 26…………………………………………………………….14
Figure 27…………………………………………………………….14
Figure 28…………………………………………………………….14
Figure 29…………………………………………………………….15
Figure 30…………………………………………………………….15
Figure 31……………………………………………………………….16
Figure 32…………………………………………………………….17
 INTRODUCTION
Nowadays there is a need for construction of the buildings which are in closed-
form structures. The main purpose of constructing the Shell Structure that it
will cover a larger area of the building.

The construction of shell structures is gaining popularity in areas where there

is a high risk of earthquakes. The word ‘shell’ is commonly used to describe the
outer hard covering of the egg.

In civil engineering, the shell Structure is a curved outer membrane that is used
as a roof cover in buildings. Here in this article, we will go through the concept
of Shell structure and its types, Advantages, and Disadvantages.

A dome is a structure 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. Whenever the ground has a dual curvature
that results in a hard and solid snoring shell structure instead of a curved
surface.

1
 What Is Shell Structure?

 The shell structure is a thin curved membrane or a slab that is usually made
from the reinforced cement concrete. The shell Structure is used as
both structure and covering membrane.

 Shell Structures are defined as structures that are capable of maintaining

their shape and the support loads without any help of the frame or
the solid mass materials.

 The term shell is generally used to describe structures that possess high
strength and rigidity due to their thin form. The of the best feature of
the shell structures is their continuity and curvature. Due to
its structural continuity, the shells can transmit the loads in a number of
different directions.

 shell structure, in building construction, a thin, curved plate structure

shaped to transmit applied forces by compressive, tensile, and shear
stresses that act in the plane of the surface.
 The structure that retains their size and support load, even without frame
or solid mass material inside is called shell structure. A shell is a building
that is hollow from within, these shell components are usually bent and
formed into a massive frame, they are lightweight constructions using shell
elements.

 Shell structures are also commonly known as plate structures. Structures

whose thickness is very less as per as the length and breadth of the
structure are considered. These types of structures are known as thin
shell structures.

The main purpose of constructing the shell structure is to reduce the self-
weight of the structure by making the structure as thin as possible.

Types of Shell Structure

The different types of shell structures are as follows.

 Cylindrical Shell

2
  Multiple Cylindrical Shells
 North Light Shells
 Asymmetrical Cylindrical Shells
 Barrel Vaults
 Short Shells and Long Shells
 Domes
 Intersection Shell Structure
 Shell Arches
 Translation Shells
1. Cylindrical Shell

Cylindrical shells are the primary structural component of both aquatic and
airborne systems. Frames or ribs are also used to stiffen these structures.
This is a kind of shell in which the stationary cure, known as directrix, or the
moving curve, known as generatrix, is a straight line.

Cylindrical shells stiffened on the outside by stringers are economical for

axial compression and bending with an active deflection restriction, but
uneconomic without one.

Some examples of typical cylindrical shells include the :

 Semi-ellipse.
 Arch circle.
 Cycloid centenary.
 Horseshoe form.

fig..1

3
 [Link] Cylindrical Shells
It consists of a sequence of parallel and transversely continuous cylindrical
shells.

Fig..2
3. North Light Shells
This shell construction is used to provide vast areas of north light windows for
factories that need good natural lighting. Windows may be slanted, as seen
here, or vertical. The bottom edge member forms a drainage through with the
curved shell and contributes to the structure’s stiffness.

The successful depth of the shell is not the vertical gap between the two
sides, but rather the depth if the shell is laid flat with the circle’s ends on the
same horizontal line. As a result, the ranges for a north light shell must be
relatively short in relation to the vertical depth of construction.

Concrete strutures acting as mullions between the window glazing can

connect the edges of neighboring shells. The north light shell is described as a
shell with two springing at different stages. The supply of curves at various
stages towards the north provides optimum north-light ; this kind of shell is
typically used as a roof in the case of factories.

fig..3

4
4. Asymmetrical Cylindrical Shells

This shell arrangement is asymmetrical across the crown.

BARREL SHELLS: A barrel shell is a collection of very thin arches that have
the same compressive power. Because of this compressive force interaction,
the barrel shell will withstand very large quantities of weight as long as the
weight is spread proportionally. However, barrel shells with a constant
thickness are extremely vulnerable to concentrated loads.

The barrel shell is shaped similarly to the arch, with a sequence of segmented
lines transferring compressive load to the soil; the much more differentiated
lines, the stronger the fluidity of the curves mostly on arch or shell. The crown
of this kind of shell is symmetrical.

fig…4

5. Barrel Vaults

A barrel vault is indeed 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 via a continuous shield.
Since of their greater span capability of up to 50 m with minimum material,
these are also most suitable for shell structures.

5
 Fig…5

6. Short Shells and Long Shells

A variety of terms have been originally used to describe cylindrical shells,

based on whether their period is short or long. Short shells : Short shells are
those with a short period length.

Long shells : Where the period length is greater than the width, the shell
shape is referred to as a long shell.

Fig…6

7. Domes

A dome is a structure framework that occupies an area that is somewhat

square or circular. The domes are connected to a surface formed by some

6
curve rotating around a vertical line. Whenever the ground has a dual curvature
that results in a hard and solid snoring shell structure instead of a curved
surface

8. Intersection Shell Structure

The angle of collision of the design of a system the structural effectiveness

of the intersections shell. A rib fomented by neighboring elements of the initial
shell is so much greater than that of the neighboring shell on either side unless
the angle is wide.

So if the angles of intersection becomes too large, it is referred to it as a

shallow intersection; if the angle of intersection is 90 degrees, it results in a
rigid rib

Fig..7

9. Shell Arches

Small shells and shell arches are all types of shells. Both thicknesses can be
rendered much smaller than an arc if the stresses are mostly compressive.
Shells are not a very effective framework for high bending moment values.

7
 Fig…8

10. Translation Shells

A translation shell is created by moving a vertical curve over another vertical

curve. Since curves have various forms, such as triangles, ellipses, and
parabolas, vertical segments are all the same, as compared to a circular sphere,
where vertical segments vary in height.

In a nutshell, a translation shell is a square dome whose form is formed by a

curve moving along another curve. Since the arch shape is used to minimize
tension and thickness in the transverse direction, barrel vaults are very
effective structures.

Fig…9

Applications of Shell Structure

1. The shell construction is common in both nature and classical

architecture.

8
 2. Shells are used mostly in two ways in civil engineering: industrial
systems such as
 Silos, reservoirs, cooling towers, and reactor vessels, and ,
 Decorative and architectural special structures.
3. The fuselages in airplanes.
4. Halls for boats .
5. Any buildings have roof frames.

Shell Structure Examples

1. The world-famous thin-shell building, the Sydney Opera House, has

spectacular architectural views.

Fig.. 10 Fig.. 11

2. In India, the Lotus Temple in Delhi and numerous shell structures

demonstrate the miracle of building construction history.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Shell Structures

Advantages of Shell Structures

1. Curved forms are inherently solid pillars that allow for large areas to be
span without the use of internal supports, resulting in an open,
unobstructed interior.
2. Since concrete is comparatively cheap and readily cast onto compound
curves, using it as a building material eliminates both material and
construction costs.
3. The resulting construction can be extremely strong and safe; for
example, modern monolithic dome houses have withstood hurricanes and
fires.

9
 4. High power in relation to its own weight. ( Major efficiency measurement
criteria ).
5. Extremely Stiffness Protected
6. a large area reduces building costs
7. Aesthetic worth.
Disadvantages of Shell Structures

1. Since concrete is a porous substance, concrete domes sometimes have

sealing problems.
2. Rainwater will seep through the roof and spill into the building’s interior
if it is not handled.
3. The smooth structure of concrete domes, on the other hand, prevents
air from escaping which can contribute to condensation accumulation on
the interior of the shell.
4. Exterior moisture is commonly addressed with shingling or sealants, and
condensation may be addressed with dehumidifiers or ventilation.
5. Since concrete is a porous material, seepage can occur.
6. It is not necessary to put another floor above it due to its geometry.
7. It is essentially the roof covering framework
DOMES
A dome is a structure 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. Whenever the ground has a dual curvature
that results in a hard and solid snoring shell structure instead of a curved
surface.

Materials Domes can be constructed from a variety of materials,

from traditional masonry and concrete, to cast iron, timber and steel. More
recently, lightweight materials such as architectural
fabrics and cable structures have also been used to create ‘domes’; for the
most part these are not true domes as their components have
an anticlastic shape, however inflated fabric structures can be dome shaped.

Traditional domes can be highly-efficient structures, similar to arches. They are

self-supporting, stabilised by the force of gravity acting on their weight to

10
hold them in compression. They are able to span large areas and require no
intermediary columns, creating a free space below.

TYPES OF DOME

[Link] dome
Dating back to paleolithic construction,this is not one of the earliest dome
forms,also known as a ‘beehive dome’ .they are not domes in the strict sense
as they are formed by horizontal masonry layers that are slightly cantilevered
until meeting in the center.

Qutb Mosque in India

Fig..12 Fig.. 13
[Link] vault Cloister vaults, also known as dome vaults , maintain a
polygonal shape in their horizontal cross-section. They arch towards the centre
from a constant spring point a l o n g a w a l l .

Fig.. 14
[Link] arch dome
11
This is one of the earliest type of ribbed vault where the ribs,instead of
meeting in the dome's centre, are intertwined to form polygons, leaving an empty
space in the centre. The earliest known example is in Spain’s Great Mosque of
Cordoba, dating back to the 10th century.

Fig..15
Fig.. 16

[Link] dome

Geodesic domes are sphere-like structure consisting of a network of triangles

which provide a self-balancing structural framework whilst using minimal
[Link] were developed by the American engineer & Architect
Buckminster Fuller in the late 1940s.

Fig…17

[Link] dome

This is a dome structure that is cast in a one-piece.

Fig.. 18

12
[Link]
These domes are characterized by the way they bulge out beyond their
base diameters and taper smoothly in an ogee (S-curve) profile.
Their height usually exceed their width & they are often gilded or brightly
painted. They are traditionally associated with Russian architecture,in particular
their multi-dome churches.

Fig.. 19 Fig.. 20

[Link] Dome

An oval dome may be defined as a dome whose plan or profile (or both) has an
oval [Link] geometry is defined as using combination of circular arcs that
are transition at -tangential points.

Fig 21 Fig 22

[Link] dome
Also known as ‘hemispherical domes’, these are one half of a
sphere, constructed on a circular ring beam.

Fig 23 Fig 24

13
[Link] dome

In te r ms of are a the se ar e of t en some of th e lar g e st

dome s, and are shallower in profile than other forms of dome.

Fig.. 25 Fig.. 26 Fig.. 27

[Link] dome
Also known as a ‘ribbed’, ‘parachute’ or ‘scalloped’ [Link] are divided into curved
segments that follow the elevation’s curve. Radial lines of masonry that act as the
dome’s ‘ribs’ extend down the springing from the apex.

Fig.. 28

HYBRID SHELL STRUCTURE

GFRP grid shells are efficient structures which can span over large
enclosures and require little skill to assemble.

14
 Fig.. 29 fig…30

Stability

Hemispherical domes
 It often needs a tie ring
 The round wall can be a difficulty.
 If it is for an exposed roof , the water proofing often cracks.
Hemispherical dome on pendetives
 It is advised to use a tie beam.
 It needs arches.
 if the se gme n tal sphe r e is th e roof , th e wat e r pr oof i ng oft e n
cr ack s.
Pointed cloister arch domes
 It always needs a tie beam.
 It does not need arches to support it.
 It is su i tabl e for roof s wi t h a pyr amid al shape .
 Durable waterproofing.

15
Segmental cloister arch dome
 It always needs a tie beam.
 It does not need arches to support it.
 suitable for floors of apartments in multi-story buildings.

Fig.. 31

Structural Strength
 The dome element of the structure was
chosen for its structural strength as well as
the savings envisaged by replacing a conventional
roofing system with a monolithic element.
 The dome’s doubly curved surface allows it to carry
loads (especially its dead weight) very effectively.
 The load is carried primarily by membrane action.
 Moments and shears are limited to the area
around the base (or boundary) of the shell.
 Stiff horizontal rings around the shell limit the deformation in the meridian
direction.

16
 Construction Techniques
 As with other funicular structures,th e mor e ve r ti cal th e str u c tu r e
is at the base, the less the horizontal force.
 Thus deeper domes have less horizontal thrust & the hoop tension is
sufficient from spreading out of base
 A shal l ow dome , wi t h gr e at er hor i zon t al thr u st , ne ed s
ad d i ti on al he lp in the form of tension ring at the base, a thickening of
the shell to strengthen it.

Fig.. 32

17
 REFERENCES
1. [Link]
2. [Link]
3. [Link]
4. [Link]
5. [Link]

18