Shell Structures for Architecture


Book Description

*** Featuring a foreword by Pritzker Prize Winner Shigeru Ban *** Bringing together experts from research and practice, Shell Structures for Architecture: Form Finding and Optimization presents contemporary design methods for shell and gridshell structures, covering form-finding and structural optimization techniques. It introduces architecture and engineering practitioners and students to structural shells and provides computational techniques to develop complex curved structural surfaces, in the form of mathematics, computer algorithms, and design case studies. • Part I introduces the topic of shells, tracing the ancient relationship between structural form and forces, the basics of shell behaviour, and the evolution of form-finding and structural optimization techniques. • Part II familiarizes the reader with form-finding techniques to explore expressive structural geometries, covering the force density method, thrust network analysis, dynamic relaxation and particle-spring systems. • Part III focuses on shell shape and topology optimization, and provides a deeper understanding of gradient-based methods and meta-heuristic techniques. • Part IV contains precedent studies of realised shells and gridshells describing their innovative design and construction methods.




Physical Models


Book Description

Physical models have been, and continue to be used by engineers when faced with unprecedented challenges, when engineering science has been non-existent or inadequate, and in any other situation when the engineer has needed to raise their confidence in a design proposal to a sufficient level to begin construction. For this reason, models have mostly been used by designers and constructors of highly innovative projects, when previous experience has not been available. The book covers the history of using of physical models in the design and development of civil and building engineering projects including bridges in the mid-18th century, William Fairbairn?s Britannia bridge in the 1840s, the masonry Aswan Dam in the 1890s, concrete dams in the 1920s, thin concrete shell roofs and the dynamic behaviour of tall buildings in earthquakes from the 1930s, tidal flow in estuaries and the acoustics of concert halls from the 1950s, and cable-net and membrane structures in the 1960s. Traditionally, progress in engineering has been attributed to the creation and use of engineering science, the understanding materials properties and the development of new construction methods. The book argues that the use of reduced scale models have played an equally important part in the development of civil and building engineering. However, like the history of engineering design itself, this crucial contribution has not been widely reported or celebrated. The book concludes with reviews of the current use of physical models alongside computer models, for example, in boundary layer wind tunnels, room acoustics, seismic engineering, hydrology, and air flow in buildings.




Forms and Concepts for Lightweight Structures


Book Description

Covering a wide range of structural concepts and presenting both relevant theories and their applications to actual structures, this book brings together for the first time lightweight structures concepts for many different applications and the relevant scientific literature, thus providing unique insights into a fascinating field of human endeavour. Evolved from a series of graduate courses taught by the authors at the University of Tokyo, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology, this textbook provides both theoretical and practical insights and presents a range of examples which also provide a history of key lightweight structures since the Apollo age. This essential guide will inspire the imagination of engineers and provide an analytical foundation for all readers.




An Introduction to Shell Structures


Book Description

Shell structures is a term defining concrete or steel vaults of present century architecture that derive from the masonry vaults and domes of the past.




Space Grid Structures


Book Description

A space frame is a three-dimensional framework for enclosing spaces in which all members are interconnected and act as a single entity. A benefit of this type of structure is that very large spaces can be covered, uninterrupted by support from the ground. John Chilton's book provides an up-to-date assessment of the use of space grid structures in buildings by reviewing methods of construction, various systems available and detailed studies of the use of space grids in modern buildings. The technical level is aimed at professional and student architects and engineers worldwide and it also serves as a useful construction manual. John Chilton is an engineer, currently teaching architectural students at Nottingham University where he is a senior lecturer. He has also undertaken considerable research in this field.




ACLCP Union List of Periodicals


Book Description




Nonlinear Analysis of Structures (1997)


Book Description

Nonlinear Analysis of Structures presents a complete evaluation of the nonlinear static and dynamic behavior of beams, rods, plates, trusses, frames, mechanisms, stiffened structures, sandwich plates, and shells. These elements are important components in a wide variety of structures and vehicles such as spacecraft and missiles, underwater vessels and structures, and modern housing. Today's engineers and designers must understand these elements and their behavior when they are subjected to various types of loads. Coverage includes the various types of nonlinearities, stress-strain relations and the development of nonlinear governing equations derived from nonlinear elastic theory. This complete guide includes both mathematical treatment and real-world applications, with a wealth of problems and examples to support the text. Special topics include a useful and informative chapter on nonlinear analysis of composite structures, and another on recent developments in symbolic computation. Designed for both self-study and classroom instruction, Nonlinear Analysis of Structures is also an authoritative reference for practicing engineers and scientists. One of the world's leaders in the study of nonlinear structural analysis, Professor Sathyamoorthy has made significant research contributions to the field of nonlinear mechanics for twenty-seven years. His foremost contribution to date has been the development of a unique transverse shear deformation theory for plates undergoing large amplitude vibrations and the examination of multiple mode solutions for plates. In addition to his notable research, Professor Sathyamoorthy has also developed and taught courses in the field at universities in India, Canada, and the United States.




Recent Advances in Optimal Structural Design


Book Description

Sponsored by the Technical Committee on Structural Design of the Technical Administrative Committee on Analysis and Computation of the Technical Activities Division of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE. This report documents the dramatic new developments in the field of structural optimization over the last two decades. Changes in both computational techniques and applications can be seen by developments in computational methods and solution algorithms, the role of optimization during the various stages of structural design, and the stochastic nature of design in relation to structural optimization. Topics include: Ømethods for discrete variable structural optimization; Ødecomposition methods in structural optimization; Østate of the art on the use of genetic algorithms in design of steel structures; Øconceptual design optimization of engineering structures; Øtopology and geometry optimization of trusses and frames; Øevolutionary structural optimization; Ødesign and optimization of semi-rigid framed structures; Øoptimized performance-based design for buildings; Ømulti-objective optimum design of seismic-resistant structures; and Øreliability- and cost-oriented optimal bridge maintenance planning. The book concludes with an extensive bibliography of journal papers on structural optimization published between 1987 and 1999.




Candela Isler Müther


Book Description

Die Meister der Betonschalen Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts begann die Hochphase des Betonschalenbaus. Weltweit entstanden technisch avancierte Konstruktionen von aufsehenerregender Expressivität. Mit Félix Candela, Heinz Isler und Ulrich Müther nimmt dieses Buch exemplarisch drei Protagonisten dieser Bauweise in den Blick. Ihr Wirken – vorwiegend in Mexiko, der Schweiz und der DDR – fand unter sehr verschiedenen politischen, ökonomisch-sozialen und kulturellen Bedingungen statt. Die Autoren analysieren die Bauten und Projekte vor dem Hintergrund der Entwicklungen der Architektur und des Ingenieurwesens jener Zeit. Sie thematisieren wechselseitige Einflüsse, Gemeinsamkeiten wie Unterschiede in den Entwurfsprozessen, der Konstruktion und der Ausführung. Darüber hinaus werden Fragen der Rezeption und der heutigen Nutzung behandelt. Lernen von Félix Candela (1910–1997), Heinz Isler (1926–2009) und Ulrich Müther (1934–2007) und ihren historischen Schalenbauten Unbekanntes aus den Planarchiven Englisch mit Zusammenfassungen auf Deutsch und Spanisch