Surface

Geometry

Created by :Luke Bowden, James Cunningham, Ross Molloy & David Rogers

What is Surface Geometry?

A Surface in terms of geometry can be:
A two-dimensional collection of points which is known as a flat surface

What is Surface Geometry?

A Surface in terms of geometry can be:
A three-dimensional collection of points whose cross section is a curve, known
as a curved surface

What is Surface Geometry?

A Surface in terms of geometry can be:
The boundary of any three-dimensional solid

Single and Double Rule Surfaces

The Curved surface on a cylinder or a cone can be generated by a single line

A cylinder is generated by a single straight line which rotates around the base circle

A cone is generated by a straight line which rotates about a fixed point

These are known a singly ruled surfaces

Surface Examples

Surface Examples

Surface Examples

Airport Tower

Surface Examples

Sydney Opera House

Surface Examples

Los Manantiales Restaurant, Mexico

Cut Surface Shapes

Key Principle
When you slice a cone you are presented with a
cut surface.

Changing the angle of the cut present a different

shaped surface.

These surfaces are shown on the right.

Cut Surface Shapes

Below is another Image illustrating the cut surfaces

Review of Parabolas & Hyperbolas

Parabola

100mm

150mm

Review of Parabolas & Hyperbolas

Hyperbola

100

V1

V2

X
150

Hyperboloids

Key Principle
A hyperboloid is a surface of
revolution obtained by rotating a
hyperbola around a directrix (e.g.
the throat)

Throat

Hyperbola

Hyperboloid

Hyperboloids
Shown here is a real life example
of where this method would be
used to create the chimney
tower.
Can you point out the throat?
Can you identify the Hyperbolas?

Chimney Tower

Hyperboloids
Shown here is the Kobe Port Tower.
Notice its shape and how it is made up of
individual generators.
Can you point out the Throat?
Can you identify the Generators?

Kobe port tower, Kobe

Hyperboloids

Light beams forming a hyperboloid

Hyperboloid of Revolution
Slicing perpendicular to the axis will present a circular
surface as shown below

Hyperboloid of Revolution
When sliced as shown on Section B-B the cut surface will
appear as an Ellipse

B
B

Hyperboloid of Revolution
When sliced as shown on Section C-C the cut surface will
appear as an Hyperbola
C

Hyperboloid of Revolution
A straight line on the surface is an element and
will be a tangent to the throat circle in plan
Element
in elevation

Element
in plan

Hyperboloid of Revolution
The asymptotes are elements which are seen as true lengths
in elevation. The asymptotes cross each other where the axis
and the throat meet

Asymptote
in elevation

Asymptote
in plan

Rectangle Method
Given is the base diameter,
throat diameter and the height
of a hyperboloid of revolution.

Using the rectangle method,

construct the Hyperboloid.

Generator Method

Key Principles
Each Generator is tangential to the Throat
and rests on the circumference of the top
and bottom surface

Generator Method

c j

al bk

e h fg

d i

Generator or Elements Method

Given is the base diameter, throat
diameter and the height of a
hyperboloid of revolution.
Using the elements method,
construct the Hyperboloid.

9 81011 7 12 6
11 c
10

51 42 3

12 d

e
2
f

a
9

3
g

l
8

4
k

h
7

j 6

Key Principles
Each Generator is tangential to the
throat circle and rests on the
circumference of the top and
bottom surface

Asymptote Method
Given is the base diameter, throat diameter
and the height of a hyperboloid of revolution.
Using the Asymptote method, construct the
Hyperboloid.
X

Key Principles
The Asymptote is a true length in elevation so is
always parallel to the XY line in plan
It is tangential to the throat of the Hyperbola
It passes through the centre point in elevation

Hyperboloid of Revolution
Draw the plan and elevation of the given
hyperboloid of revolution.

14

Project a new elevation that will show the true

shape of surface A
Scale 1:100

15

Orientate in Portrait
60o

Hyperboloid of Revolution
1) Draw the two semi circles in plan and
project to elevation.
2) The straight line in plan projects as a
straight line in elevation and is therefore
portion of the element. As an element it
will form a tangent to the throat circle in
plan. Extend the line and draw the throat
circle.
X

Y
D2
D3

D1
D4

D6

3) Draw the asymptote in plan and project to

elevation. Where the asymptote crosses
the axis gives the position on the throat.

D5

4) Complete the plan and elevation.

5) The
new elevation is projected
perpendicular to Surface A. Surface A when
projected will be made up of straight lines
and the widths are found in plan.

Previous Exam Questions

LC 2012 Section C Applied Graphics Structural Forms

The graphic shows a fireplace in the

form of a semi-hyperboloid of
revolution. The top surface is sliced as
shown. Fig. C-2 shows the plan and
elevation of the fireplace.
Draw the plan and elevation of the
including the semi-circular base.
Draw the projections of the sloping
top in elevation and plan.
Draw the projections of the vertical
opening.

0,6

7,11

8,11

1,5

2,4

Previous Exam Questions

G
F
E

C
B
A

V
A
B
C
D
E

6,4
E

7,3
D C

2,8

9,1

10,0

11

0,8
11,7

1,9

10,6

2,10

9,5

3,11

8,4

4,0

7,3

5,1
6,2

Previous Exam Questions

LC 2013 Section C Applied Graphics Structural Forms
The graphic on the right shows an
uplighter in the form of a hyperbolic
paraboloid surface.
Fig. C-2 shows the plan, elevation and
end view of a similar uplighter as well
as an isometric view.
The surface of the hyperbolic
paraboloid is generated by translating
the parabola ABC in a horizontal
position downwards along the parabola
BD.
B is the vertex of the parabola ABC and
D is the vertex of the parabola BD .

Previous Exam Questions

LC 2013 Section C Applied Graphics Structural Forms
1) Draw the given plan of the uplighter
2) Project the given end view from the
plan
3) Project the front elevation of the
uplighter
4) The curves in elevation form a
portion of a double hyperbola whose
vertices are V1 and V2 and whose focal
points are located at F1 and F2,
respectively.
Determine
the
asymptotes to the double hyperbola in
elevation.
Scale 1:2

Swept Hyperbolic Paraboloids

Shown below is a pictorial view of a shell
structure. The surface on the structure is
generated by transferring the parabola ABC in a
vertical position along the parabola BE whose
vertex is at E.
Draw the plan and elevation of the structure.
Y
E

100mm

240mm

A
C

Swept Hyperbolic Paraboloids

Shown below is a plan and elevation of a shell
structure in the form of a hyperbolic paraboloid.
It is formed by sliding the parabola ABC in a
vertical position along the parabola BE whose
vertex is at E.

1) Draw the plan and elevation of the structure

Y

2)Project an end view from the structure

B

22.5m

50m

Swept Hyperbolic Paraboloids

Shown below is a plan and elevation of a shell
structure in the form of a hyperbolic paraboloid.
It is formed by sliding the parabola ABC in a
vertical position along the parabola BE whose
vertex is at E. The shell has been cut as shown.
Draw the plan and elevation of the unit
Y

Project an end view from the unit.

B

22.5m

50m

A
C

Swept Hyperbolic Paraboloids

Shown below is a pictorial view of a
shell structure. Six of these units are
combined to form a roof surface.
The surface of the unit is generated
by translating the parabola ABC in a
vertical position along the line BC
Y whose vertex is at D.

8m

18m

A
1) Draw the plan and elevation of the unit.
2)Project an end view of the unit.
3) Find the true shape of curve DF.

Hyperbolic Paraboloid
Parabola

Key Principles
A hyperbolic paraboloid is an
infinite surface in three
dimensions with hyperbolic
and parabolic cross-sections

Each Pyrabola is positioned

vertically and travels along a
directrix
Directrix

Pringle

Hyperbolic Paraboloid

Horse Riding Saddle

Hyperbolic Paraboloid

Hyperbolic Paraboloid
Directrix
A series of parabolas are
positioned along this
path

A hyperbolic paraboloid
is an infinite surface in
three dimensions with
hyperbolic and parabolic
cross-sections

Note:
Each Parabola is parallel
and positioned vertically

Hyperbolic
Paraboloid
Exercise
D

B
16m

8m
600
X
D

C
C

14m

600
B

1) Draw the outline of the plan as given

2) Each of the sides must be divided into
five equal spaces as shown.

Hyperbolic Paraboloid Roof

B
D

C
D

14m

13m

4.4m

Given two adjoining Hyperbolic Paraboloid roof surfaces

ABEF and BCDE. BCDE makes up a half a pentagon and
AEF is an equilateral triangle.
Corners A,C & E are at ground level, corner D & F have
altitudes of 16m & corner B has an altitude of 20m.

1) Draw the plan and elevation.

2) Show the curvature of the roof along the line AE

Hyperbolic Paraboloid Exercise

(Finding the Plane Director)
C

ABCD is a Hyperbolic Paraboloid with

given altitudes for each corner.

B
X

To find the plane director we must find

a view of the structure that would show
the generatrices as they appear
parallel.

This method is shown in the animation.

A

Hyperbolic Paraboloid
(Surface Extensions)
This is an example exercise demonstrating
the necessary steps to be taken to to create
the object below.
X

Hyperbolic Paraboloid
(Surface Extensions 2011 HL)

Shown is a support cushion for a

seat. The outline shape is formed
by extending the hyperbolic
paraboloid surface ABCD
The perimeter in elevation is a
portion of a semi-ellipse with a
major axis of 720mm and a minor
axis of 256mm.

A) Draw the given elevation.

B) Using six elements in each
direction project an end view as
shown.
NB: Additional elements should be used
where required for accurate curves
Scale 1:2

Semi- Ellipse
Major Axis 720mm
Minor Axis 256mm

Elevation

Six elements plus additional

elements where required for
accurate curves

End View