SPACE FRAMES

By
J.C.WASON
School of planning and architecture, New Delhi
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PLANE FRAME
AND A SPACE FRAME
 Plane Frames & Space Frames :
• A PLANE FRAME :

A 2D structure whose all elements lie in the same

plane.

Examples :

• A Portal Frame
• An ordinary Roof Truss
 PLANE TRUSS
( All members and All loads lie in the same Plane )
 PLANE FRAMES : PORTAL FRAMES
( All loads and All members in the same Plane )
 PLANE FRAMES :
A Plane Frame can resist loads applied only in its
own plane.

A Plane Frame is not stable to forces perpendicular

to its plane.
 SPACE FRAMES :

• A Space Frame is a Three dimensional assembly.

• A Dome is a Typical example of a Space Frame.

• A Space structure can resist loads applied at any

point, at any inclination to surface of structure and
in any direction.
 SPACE FRAMES :
• Thus, for a Space Frame:

( i ). Members of the Space Frame are located

in Three dimensions in space.

( ii ). Loads may be applied on the structure

acting in Any direction in space.
 Py
A MULTISTOREYED FRAMED
BUILDING IS A SPACE
STRUCTURE WITH MEMBERS
LOCATED IN SPACE, AND
SUBJECTED TO FORCE IN X,
Y & Z PLANES

Pz

Px
 FORCES ACTING IN
COLUMN
A TYPICAL FLOOR IN
BEAM A MULTISTOREYED
BLDG.
BEAM
Py

Py

Px
Z X
Pz

Y
A MULTISTOREYED FRAMED BUILDING IS A SPACE STRUCTURE WITH
MEMBERS LOCATED IN SPACE, AND SUBJECTED TO FORCES IN X, Y & Z
PLANES
 Advantages of Space Frames :

• A Space Frame can :

(i). Gives greater freedom of design.
(ii). Span larger col. free areas.
(iii). Give pleasing appearance.
(iv). May lead to lower cost.

However, Analysis of Space Structures is more

complex and generally needs computer analysis.
 SPACE STRUCTURES :
Steel Space Frames RCC Space Frames
(i). Single layered Space Example : Hall of Nations
Structures :
(Derive strength due to
curvature)
Example : Retreading Factory,
Jabbalpur.
(ii). Double Layered Space
Frames :
(Double layered space
structures)
Example : Hall of 14, Pragati
Maidan, New Delhi.
HALL OF NATIONS, PRAGATI MAIDAN, NEW DELHI –
AN EXAMPLE OF CONCRETE SPACE STRUCTURE
 HALL OF NATIONS, PRAGATI MAIDAN, NEW
DELHI – AN EXAMPLE OF CONCRETE SPACE FRAME
 39014.4
9
8
7
31035.6

6
5
3448.4 4
3
2
54º 44’ 24” 1
LVL 0

73152

(b) HALF ELEVATION HALF SECTION

LVL .5

.8
LVL .4
76
48

(c) PART PLAN; (d) PYRAMID

LEVELS 4 & 5 7 6.8 GEOMETRY
CL
4876.8 48

CONCRETE SPACE FRAME FOR HALL OF NATIONS, NEW DELHI (INDIA)

 39014
73152

HALL OF NATIONA, PRAGATI MAIDAN, NEW DELHI- TOP

PLAN
 SPACE STRUCTURES - TYPES
1. SINGLE LAYERED

2. DOUBLE/MULTILAYERED
 STEEL SPACE FRAMES :
• Span Range :
(i). Single layered = 20 – 30 m
(ii). Double layered = 50 – 80 m

• Uses :
(i). Industrial Bldgs.
(ii). Exhibition Halls
(iii). Sports pavallions
(iv). Gymnasiums
etc.
 SINGLE LAYERED SPACE STRUCTURES –
SALIENT POINTS :

(i). Single layer of Triangular network of members.

(ii). Curved, Shaped like shells to obtain space geometry.

(iii). Derive strength through space geometry (curved shape).

(iv). Joints hinged and members subjected to Axial Forces

(Axial compression/axial tension).

(v). Similar to shell behavior.

 SINGLE LAYERED SPACE STRUCTURES –
Examples :

1. Hall of Technology at Pragati Maidan, New

Delhi.

2. Roof of Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New

Delhi.
STEEL DOME – AN
EXAMPLE OF A
SINGLE LAYERED
SPACE STRUCTURE
STEEL DOME – AN
EXAMPLE OF A
SINGLE LAYERED
SPACE
STRUCTURE
ELEVATION
TRUSSED
TRIANGULATED
SINGLE LAYERED
ROOF

PLAN
 ELEVATION A TAPEZDOIDAL
TRIANGULATED
SINGLE LAYERED
ROOF

SIDE
VIEW

PLAN
ELEVATION A TRIANGULATED
STEEL DOME
ROOF- AN XAMPL
OF A SINGLE
LAYERED SPACE
STRUCTURE

PLAN
196 m Dia ( 50000 seating Capacity) Steel Dome Roof for
Haris County Sports Stadium, Texas, USA
 DOUBLE LAYERED SPACE STRUCTURES
SAILIENT FEATURES :
1. Visualised as a 2D surface layers, (Top + Bottom),
connected by verticals and diagonals.

2. Derive Plate Behavior ( Two way slab actions).

3. Derive bending strength due to depth of system.

4. Unlike single layered systems, Double layered systems need not

be curved in shape.

Example: HALL NO 14, PRAGATI MAIDAN, NEW DELHI

DOUBLE LAYERED SPACE STRUCTURES – SAILIENT FEATURES (CONTD.) :

5. The surface grids could be Square or Equilateral

Triangles.

6. Web members are diagonals or a combination of

verticals and diagonals.
 Advantages of Two layered systems :

1. greater rigidity :

(i). Hence can have larger spans.

(ii). In Double layered grid systems, there is more

flexibility in positioning of column supports. Supports may
be widely spaced and may be ,if necessary, irregular.

(iii). High rigidity of double layered grids reduces the

deflection of the structure.
 2. Higher Indeterminancy :
• Due to high level of indeterminancy,
overstressing or buckling of any individual
member under any concentrated load may not
lead to collapse of the structure.

• The load will get distributed to other

adjoining members leading to even
distribution of stress under concentrated
loads in several directions.
 3. Space for accomodating Electric and
Service conduits :

• Services/AC ducts may conveniently be

accomodated within the double layered grid.
4. Feasibility of using standard modules and
mass production :

• Double layered grids are usually built from

simple prefabricated standard units, which
can be mass produced in a factory and can be
easily and rapidly assembled at site.
 SKELTEL SPACE STRUCTURE :
• Most common form of Space structures are
the Skeltel Space Structures consisting of a .
network of interconnected members.
• Such structures are appreciated due to their
visual beauty and impressive simplicity.
• Accordingly, there is a trend to leave
structural grid members exposed as part of
the Architectural expression.
Advantages of Skeltel Space Frames :
1. Less self weight ( Light weight system)

( i ) Feasibility of Large Spans.

( ii ). Reduction in Cost.
( iii ). Reduced loading on Supporting Columns and
Foundations.
( iv ). Less Earth quake forces.

2. . Visual beauty and ex pressive simplicity.

3 . Structural efficiency.

4. Efficient for loads acting in Any plane.

1. Less self weight ( Light weight system) :

• Skeltel Space Frames have :

light sheeting roofing which normally does
not require any terracing for drainage of rain
water.
Self wt of such systems is about 1 to 2 KN/m2
against self wt of 10 to 12 KN/m2 for tradition
RCC roofs with Beam and slab systems.
 Table : Approx. weights of Space Structures
Type of Span Range Weight Range
Structure (m) (Kgs/m2 )

1. Conventional 20 - 30 20 - 26
Trusses

2. Domes 60 - 80 ‘32 - 45

3. Double 20 - 30 15 - 20
layered
Grids
 ( i ) Feasility of Large Spans :
• Space frames of about 80m X 80 m and Steel
Domes over 100 m Dia have been planned
using the concepts of Skeltel Space
Structures.
 ( ii ). Reduction in Cost :
• Cost of roofing with such systems is less than
cost of traditional RCC systems.
 ( iii ). Reduced loading on Supporting
Columns and Foundations :

• Due to less self weight, loads on the

supporting columns and foundations is
reduced leading to Economy in design of
these structural elements.
 ( iv ). Less E Q forces :
• E Q force acting on a structure is a function of
mass of the structure. As Mass of such systems
is comparatively small, E Q force on such
structure is also small.

• Due to smaller overall wt. E Q forces normally

are NOT critical for their design. Such strctures
are more critical for wind loads and not for E Q
loads.
2. Visual beauty and expressive simplicity:

• Due its form, such structures are visually

beautiful and have bold e x pression, which is
generally integrated into Architectural
aesthetics and, as such, structural members
are normally left e x posed for bold
Architectural e x pression.
 ( 3 ). Structural efficiency :
• Due to its interconnected members in space,
any load applied at any point gets
distributed to other distant members leading
to a leading to reduction of stresses in
members directly under the load and a fairly
even distribution of the stresses throught
the structure. This results in more efficient
and economical Structural design.
(4). Efficient for loads acting in Any plane :

• Space structures are efficient to resist loads

acting in any plane.
 STRUCTURAL PROPORTIONING OF DOUBLE
LAYERED GRID SPACE SYSTEMS :
• EMPIRICAL RULES FOR FIXING UP THE DOUBLE
LAYERED GRID SPACE STRUCTURES ARE
DISCUSSED.
 DOUBLE LAYERED SPACE STRUCTURES
OVERALL STRUCTURAL PROPORTIONING :
1.Typical (Span/Depth) ratios :

(i). Simply supported spans :

d/L = 1/18 to 1/25
(ii). Cantilevered spans :
d/L = 1/9
where :
d = Depth of system
L = span

2.Optimum bay dimensions :

a = 1.2d to 2.5d
 DOUBLE LAYERED SPACE STRUCTURES -
OVERALL PROPORTIONG (CONTD.) :

• Bay dimensions : are restricted to about 3 to

4m due to Buckling of compression members.

• Individual members: Hollow circular Tube

sections are preferred due to uniform
structural strength/Buckling Strength along
all axis.
 DOUBLE LAYERED GRIDS – ROOF
COVERINGS :
• Roof claddings suitable for Space grid roofs
are :
• ( i ). AC Sheets

• ( ii ). Aluminium corrugated sheets

• ( iii ). Precast ferrocement slabs

DOUBLE LAYERED GRIDS- METHOD OF ANALYSIS :

Computer based Analysis adopted. Stiffness

Matrix method of Analysis is used as basis for
most of the computer programmes available
for analysis of Space Structures.
 0.866a

a
DOUBLE LAYERED GRID -
PLAN OF GRID
a

ELEVATION OF GRID
DOUBLE LAYERED GRID : PERSPECTIVE VIEW
 a
SQUARE OVER SQUARE -
PLAN OF GRID
a

ELEVATION OF GRID
BASIC UNIT

PLAN

ELEVATION

(a) TWO-WAY LATTICE GRID

 a a√2/2

(c) TWO-WAY SPACE GRID WITH SQUARE PYRAMIDS (SQUARE ON

SQUARE OFFSET)
 TOP GRID

BOTTOM GRID
BRACING

(e) TWO-WAY SPACE GRID WITH SQUARE PYRAMIDS

 ADD YOUR TEXT

ADD YOUR TEXT

 a b c

(a) METHODS OF
SUPPORTING THE GRID
d

CORNICE VERTICAL MANSARD

(b) GRID EDGE PROFILES

 (C) LOCATION OF
SUPPORTS

METHODS OF SUPPORTING DOUBLE-LAYERED GRIDS

 (C) LOCATION OF
SUPPORTS

(C) METHODS OF SUPPORTING DOUBLE-LAYER GRIDS

 LOCATION OF
SUPPORTS

METHODS OF SUPPORTING DOUBLE-LAYERED GRIDS

 (C) LOCATION OF
SUPPORTS

(C) METHODS OF SUPPORTING DOUBLE-LAYER GRIDS

 A) ONE WAY ACTION :
PLANAR TRUSSES ON LATTICE GRID
 B) TWO WAY ACTION :
PLANAR TRUSSES ON LATTICE GRID
 C) THREE WAY ACTION :
PLANAR TRUSSES ON LATTICE GRID
MULTILAYER SYSTEMS ( Double layer systems )
 11000
500 500 500 500 500 500 500
4000

M.S. COLUMN CAPITAL BOTTOM CHORD INCLINED MEMBER

50 Ø M.S. PIPE 50 Ø M.S. PIPE
M.S. COLUMN 300 Ø TOP CHORD50 Ø
M.S. PIPE

KEY PLAN
 50 Ø M.S. BOTTOM
CHORD

4 MM THICK
M.S. CONNECTING
PLATE

50 Ø M.S.
TOP CHORD

300 Ø M.S.
COLUMN

500X500 M.S.
COLUMN
CAPITAL

PART PLAN AT – A
 M.S. ANGLE TOP CHORD CONNECTING PLATE
FIBRE GLASS ROOFING
50X50X6 M.S. PIPE 50 Ø M.S. 4 MM THICK

INCLINED MEM.
30 Ø M.S. PIPE

M.S. COLUMN CAPITAL

DISTRIBUTERS POINT
LOAD ACTING ON IT CONNECTING PLATE
M.S. 4 MM THICK BOTTOM CHORD
50 Ø M.S. PIPE

M.S. COLUMN
300 Ø

SECTION

Ajay/pentium 4/ D - Drive
 CONNECTIONS IN DOUBLE LAYERED
SPACE STRUCTURS :

• A No. of members meet at a joint in a Two layered

Grid Space Structures. Accordingly, jointing of
these members at a joint poses problems due to
congestion of members. A no. of standard
methods are adopted to provide jointing. Some of
the methods adopted are illustrated in the
sketches that follow.
Mero System - (developed in Germany in 1940) :

• This system consists of prefabricated tubular steel

components screwed into forged spherical steel
connectors known as Mero tubes and Mero balls
respectively. The Mero joint enables upto18
members to be joined together without any
eccentricity. The connectors do not requires any
site welding and are capable of creating any shape
of space structure merely by being screwed
together.
 WELDED SEAM

HOLE FOR INSERTION

OF BOLT

DOWEL PIN

NODE
END CONE TUBE

SLEEVE

THREADED BOLT

KK – SYSTEM (MERO)
MERO
JOINTING
SYSTEM –
JOINTING
DETAILS AT
BOTTOM
CHORD
 PLATE JOINT SYSTEM

WEB MEMBER TUBE

RETAINING WASHER

BOLT CHORD MEMBER

TUBE
CHORD MEMBER
BOLT

TUBE
SLOT JOINT

WEB MEMBER SLOT JOINT

NUT

RETAINING WASHER
TUBE

VIEW B – B SECTION A –A

THE TRIODETIC SYSTEM

 (1) (2) (3)

(4) (5) (6)

TYPICAL TRIODIC JOINT CONFIGURATIONS

STEEL SKELTEL DOUBLE GRID SPACE FRAMES –
ALTERNAT JOINTING DETAILS