[...]... term space frame’ is often applied to all space grids, including most proprietary modular systems that are actually space trusses Even the proprietary name and/or the technical literature issued by manufacturers may refer to space truss systems as space frames However, the use here of the broader term space grid , when speaking generally, will allow the distinction between space trusses and ‘true’ space. .. buildings In this type of space grid, which is described in more detail in Chapter 3, the continuous chords in the two orthogonal directions are of ‘C’ section bolted back-to-back at the nodes In the 1980s and early 1990s the CUBIC Space Frame, SPACEgrid and Conder Harley space grid systems emerged in the UK being respectively a modular space frame, a development of the UNIBAT space truss system and a... exploited in metal space trusses combined with structural plate elements of glass or plastic Advantages of using space grids Some of the benefits to be gained from the use of space grid structures have already been outlined These, and 17 other advantages, illustrated with appropriate built examples, are described below Load sharing As described above, the prime advantage of space grid structures is that... adaptability of the refrigeration plant configuration within the 3 m deep roof space over the production and storage areas (Figure 2.6) 18 Space Grid Structures 2.6 Equipment in the roof space of the CUBIC Space Frame, Northern Foods, Nottingham (Photograph courtesy David Hague Photography Ltd) Robustness Space grids are highly redundant structures, which means that, in general, failure of one or a limited... Space Grid Structures 2.10 Square on square grid configuration (Drawing by Graeme Barker © John Chilton) 2.12 Square on diagonal square grid configuration (Drawing by Graeme Barker © John Chilton) 2.11 Square on square offset grid configuration (Drawing by Graeme Barker © John Chilton) 2.13 Triangle on triangle offset grid configuration (Drawing by Graeme Barker © John Chilton) Double-layer space grid. .. triangle grid described in 4 above (see Figure 2.14) More open grid geometries are often possible in the lower layer of a double-layer grid because the members are normally in tension (i.e not subject to member buckling) The lower (tension) chords may, therefore, be 24 Space Grid Structures 2.18 Visual effect of the variation in grid spacing node density and web inclination – shallow space grid with... (1995) Space structure – structure space In Lightweight Structures in Civil Engineering (J B Obrebski, ed.) pp 756–66, magat®, Magdalena Burska, Warsaw 9 Makowski, Z S (1975) Space structures of Stéphane du Château Building Specification, 6 (5), 31–40 10 Fentiman, H G (1966) Developments in Canada in the fabrication and construction of three-dimensional structures using the Triodetic system In Space Structures. .. Chapter 5 Freedom of choice of support locations Great choice in the location of supports is offered by space grid structures Within reason, space grids can be supported at any node of the grid and at practically any location in plan This gives the architect considerable freedom in space planning beneath the grid For instance, columns can be concealed on the lines of internal partitions However, as discussed... formed a double-curved, double-layer space grid of 132 m span.12 Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan also featured several space grid structures Significantly, the centrepiece was the huge 291.6 m by 108 m space truss, supported on only six columns at a height of 30 m above the ground, which covered the Festival Plaza (shown later in Figure 5.1) The design and erection of this space grid, designed by architect Kenzo... the lower chord grid is set at 45° to, and is usually at a greater spacing than, the top chord grid Again the web members connect the intersection points on the top and bottom grids (see Figure 2.12) A further alternative version of this grid configuration is diagonal on square where the upper grid is at 45° to the lines of support and the lower grid is parallel to the supports Space grid geometry – . roof load. Space grids were used to allow freedom of column location and space planning on the floor below. Precast concrete floor 2 Space Grid Structures 1.1 Early experimental space grid structure developed. in Montreal, was a multi-layer space grid 65.5 m high 6 Space Grid Structures 1.8 Richard Buckminster Fuller’s 76 m diameter, three-quarter sphere, double-layer space grid geodesic dome for the US. of using space grids 17 Disadvantages 20 Grid configurations 21 Defining the grid 24 Complex geometries 25 Support locations 26 ‘Tree’ supports 27 Edge profiles 28 Multi-layer space grids 28 3