Space frame structures are one of the forms of space grid structures that give the construction strength and lightness at the same time. It has a range of benefits but also faces some challenges. In this article, we will discuss the following outlines:
- What is a space frame?
- Components of Space Frame Structure
- Types of space frame structures
- Advantages of space frames
- Disadvantages of space frames
- What are the space frame Structures Applications?
What is a space frame?
Space frame structures are 3d space frames and truss-like structures with struts that are combined together in a geometric pattern to provide us with strength and lightweight structures. Space frame construction is consisting of steel pipes and spherical joints; generally, 3d space frame construction is about plane truss systems, triangular, quadrangle, and hexagonal pyramidal.
A space frame can cover large areas with a tiny internal support, and this is the latest technology in construction building design.
Components of Space Frame Structure:
Space frame structure is almost consisting of different elements, depending on its type.
The main components of space frame structures are axial members, tubes and joints.
- The tubes may have hollow sections that connect tubes with each other.
- Joints that known as connectors, are forming a space frame structure with singular elements. There are 4 main types of connectors; hemispherical dome, tubal node, triode and nodes.
Types of space frame structures:
There are many different systems that can be used in the classification of architectural space frames:
For example;
- Classification for space frame structure types upon its element arrangement order, this classification is as following:
Triple-layered grid: are consisting of three layers of space frame elements parallel to each other. These layers are linked with diagonal bars. These structures are almost found in a flat shape.
Double-layered grid: are consisting of two layers of space frame elements that parallel to each other. These layers are linked with diagonal bars.
Single-layered grid: are consisting of one single layer of space frame elements found on the surface of a structure.
A technical classification of space frame structures that, depending on the form of the overall structure as a distinctive metric, there are 3 main space frame structure types:
Spherical domes: This space frame type requires an external support for the structure or an internal support from pyramid-shaped or tetrahedral modules in the structure itself.
Barrel vaults: this space frame type doesn’t need additional external support. It does have a cross section as an internal support.
Space plane roof structures: this space frame structure type is consisting of multiple planar sub-structures. It has an internal support by diagonals that distributes the weight all-over the horizontal bars.
There are other types of space frame structures that do not belong to any of the categories above; one of these structure types is concrete frame structures:
This space frame structure type consists of a frame of concrete, that contains horizontal and vertical members that are known as beams and columns.
The smooth planes of concrete space frames are known as slabs. But the most vital component of this frame type is the column because it can deal with the weight of the space frame construction building.
