Structural-Geometrical Performance of Wide-Span Space Structures

Abstract

The family of Space Structures presents a colourful comprehensive variety of building systems, enjoying spatial geometry to enhance structural performance. In general, space structures are designed to provide large free-span volumes for human activities such as sport, commerce, entertainment, culture, storage and military. Such structures have been designed and constructed for over 2,000 years by a large number of skillful architects and engineers as well as expert builders all over the world, using various spatial geometries, construction techniques and building materials. The propagation of building solutions and structural techniques calls for a scientific classification method of space structures according to their characteristics,- mainly their structural performance. Such a classification is essential in order to furnish designers with relevant information needed to select the most appropriate construction system for a specific project. As a first step towards reaching this goal, this paper provides a comparison of space structures structural performance in view of their self-weight per floor area in accordance with the obtained free-span. A structural-geometrical study of 240 modern structures was conducted, leading to an analysis of 32 structures of various construction methods. As a result, a comprehensive graph was evaluated, mapping various building systems and presenting an overview of their comparative structural performance.