THESIS DISSERTATION

ON

LARGE SPAN STRUCTURES

SUSHRUT SHANKAR
2014UAR1465

A REPORT ON THE THESIS DISSERTATION

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING

MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
JAIPUR

(Dr. Nand Kumar) Guided By- Kalpana Pandit

UG Thesis Coordinator ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Department of Architecture & Department of Architecture &
Planning Planning
MNIT, Jaipur
CONTENT

Topic and Introduction

Abstract

Scope of study

Literature Review

Conclusion

Bibliography
PROJECT INTRODUCTION

DISSERTATION TOPIC: LARGE SPAN STRUCTURES

INTRODUCTION:

Large span roofs are generally defined as those that exceed 12 m in span.
Large span roofs can create flexible, column-free internal spaces and can
reduce substructure costs and construction times. They are commonly found
in a wide range of building types such as factories, warehouses, agricultural
buildings, hangars, large shops, public halls, gymnasiums and arenas.

Their primary functions are, similar to normal roofs, typically, protecting

against the weather, restricting the spread of fire, providing sound and thermal
insulation and so on. However, as they may offer the only structural system
other than the perimeter walls, they may also have to provide support
for building services, access routes, lifting equipment, lighting, and so on.

ABSTRACT:

The study examines the various types of roof structures done by different
materials and their respective properties. The idea is to find the best suitable
for making a large span meditation hall with symmetric features in them and
whose shape has a property to withstand load more than its material .
Including the fact that it can provide proper ventilation and lighting while
remaining structurally stable.
PROJECT SCOPE

SCOPE OF STUDY:

 to provide structures like these in the manifest center

 as in architecture, large span structures plays an important in the
understanding form and material of that structure
 symmetric meditation halls provide the required environment for
resonance and reflection of energies
 to provide sufficiently lit places and dark spaces in its premise
 to make structures in harmony with the forces of nature

LITERATURE REVIEW:

Long span roofs are generally defined as those that exceed 12 m in span. Long
span roofs can create flexible, column-free internal spaces and can
reduce substructure costs and construction times. They are commonly found
in a wide range of building types such as factories, warehouses, agricultural
buildings, hangars, large shops, public halls, gymnasiums and arenas.

Their primary functions are, similar to normal roofs, typically, protecting

against the weather, restricting the spread of fire, providing sound and thermal
insulation and so on. However, as they may offer the only structural system
other than the perimeter walls, they may also have to provide support
for building services, access routes, lifting equipment, lighting, and so on

MATERIALS

Long span roofs can be fabricated in from a number of materials, such

as steel, aluminium alloy, timber, reinforced concrete and pre-stressed
concrete. Steel is often preferred due to its high strength and because it will
not spread fire over its surface.
Space deck

This is a modular structural roofing system based on a simple pyramidal unit

typically fabricated using tubular diagonals welded to a forming tray and apex
boss. Single span designs can provide large clear spans of up to 22 m, while
two-way span designs can provide up to 33 m.

The component parts can be easily transported to site and assembled into
beams, the whole space deck being constructed at ground level before being
hoisted into position on top of perimeter supports. Any lightweight structural
decking is appropriate as a roof covering. Roof lights can also be mounted
directly onto the square top space deck units.

Space frames
Geodesic dome (space frame)

The geodesic dome was developed by the

American engineer and architect Richard Buckminster Fuller in the late
1940s. Geodesic domes are sphere-like structures consisting of a network of
triangles which provide a self-balancing structural framework whilst using
minimal materials. The word geodesic is Latin and means 'earth dividing

Efficiency

Geodesic domes are efficient structures in several ways:

 They are based on a network of triangles which are very stable shapes. For
example if a force is applied to the corner of a triangle, it will retain its
form, whereas other shapes, such as rectangles will be distort. This means
that geodesic dome buildings are strong and resistant to forces such as snow
loading, earthquakes, wind, and so on.
 The structural efficiency of geodesic domes means that they require less
material than conventional buildings.
 For the volume that they enclose, geodesic domes have a much smaller
surface area than traditional 'box-shaped' buildings. This means there is a
reduced area exposed to external temperature changes which means they can
be less expensive to heat and cool.
 The construction of geodesic domes can be very fast, and may not require
the use of heavy equipment. This buildability can be further enhanced
through the use of prefabricated components.

Uses of geodesic domes

It is believed that there are more than 300,000 geodesic domes around the
world today. They can be constructed in a variety of sizes, with the largest
being 216 m in diameter (the Fukuoka Dome, a baseball stadium in Japan)
making them suitable for a wide range of uses:

 Sports stadiums.
 Theatres.
 Greenhouses.
 Exhibition halls.
 Children’s playgrounds.
 Emergency shelters.
 Military shelters.
 Radomes.

Components

With a large range of size, the construction materials used for geodesic domes
vary widely. For simple, movable structures, timber, PVC or
galvanized steel frames covered with a thin architectural membrane (such
as PVC polyester or ETFE foil) can be used. Larger, more permanent
structures such as sports stadiums have been constructed
with aluminium and steel frames covered with copper, aluminium, acrylic,
plexi-glass panels, and so on.
 Examples of geodesic domes

Geodesic domes can be seen around the world including:

 The American exhibit at Expo 67 in Montreal.

 The largest .
 Epcot Centre’s Spaceship Earth centre.
 The Aviary at Queen’s Zoo in America.
 Eco Camp Patagonia hotel – the first geodesic dome hotel, constructed in
Chile.
 The biomes at the Eden Project in Cornwall in the UK.

CONCLUSION:
The conclusion of the literature study is to study different types of structures
for large span structures and preferably a space frame dome . this will be
stable and light because of the constituents of triangles in it. With the use of
space frames more innovative design solutions can be sorted for as compared
to other concrete and steel structures

Bibliography:

www.designingbuildings.co.uk
http://people.fsv.cvut.cz
www.majowiecki.com
www.britannica.com