A
space frame or
space structure is a
trussIn architecture and structural engineering, a truss is a structure comprising one or more triangular units constructed with straight slender members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes. External forces and reactions to those forces are considered to act only at the nodes and...
-like, lightweight rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts in a
geometricGeometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers....
patternA pattern, from the French patron, is a type of theme of recurring events of or objects, sometimes referred to as elements of a set. These elements repeat in a predictable manner...
. Space frames usually utilize a multidirectional span, and are often used to accomplish long spans with few supports. They derive their strength from the inherent rigidity of the triangular frame; flexing
loadStructural loads are forces applied to a component of a structure or to the structure as a unit.In structural design, assumed loads are specified in national and local design codes for types of structures, geographic locations, and usage. In addition to the load magnitude, its frequency of...
s (bending
momentsIn physics, the term "moment" can refer to many different concepts:*Moment of force is a synonym for torque, an important basic concept in physics, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering. In the context of mechanical engineering, the terms are not necessarily interchangeable, but one or the...
) are transmitted as
tensionIn physics, tension is the magnitude of the pulling force exerted by a string, cable, chain, or similar object on another object. It is the opposite of compression. As tension is the magnitude of a force, it is measured in newtons and is always measured parallel to the string on which it applies...
and
compressionPhysical compression is the result of the subjection of a material to compressive stress, resulting in reduction of volume. The opposite of compression is rarefraction tension.- Explanation :...
loads along the length of each strut.
Most often their geometry is based on
platonic solidIn geometry, a Platonic solid is a convex polyhedron that is regular, in the sense of a regular polygon. Specifically, the faces of a Platonic solid are congruent regular polygons, with the same number of faces meeting at each vertex; thus, all its edges are congruent, as are its vertices and...
s.
A
space frame or
space structure is a
trussIn architecture and structural engineering, a truss is a structure comprising one or more triangular units constructed with straight slender members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes. External forces and reactions to those forces are considered to act only at the nodes and...
-like, lightweight rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts in a
geometricGeometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers....
patternA pattern, from the French patron, is a type of theme of recurring events of or objects, sometimes referred to as elements of a set. These elements repeat in a predictable manner...
. Space frames usually utilize a multidirectional span, and are often used to accomplish long spans with few supports. They derive their strength from the inherent rigidity of the triangular frame; flexing
loadStructural loads are forces applied to a component of a structure or to the structure as a unit.In structural design, assumed loads are specified in national and local design codes for types of structures, geographic locations, and usage. In addition to the load magnitude, its frequency of...
s (bending
momentsIn physics, the term "moment" can refer to many different concepts:*Moment of force is a synonym for torque, an important basic concept in physics, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering. In the context of mechanical engineering, the terms are not necessarily interchangeable, but one or the...
) are transmitted as
tensionIn physics, tension is the magnitude of the pulling force exerted by a string, cable, chain, or similar object on another object. It is the opposite of compression. As tension is the magnitude of a force, it is measured in newtons and is always measured parallel to the string on which it applies...
and
compressionPhysical compression is the result of the subjection of a material to compressive stress, resulting in reduction of volume. The opposite of compression is rarefraction tension.- Explanation :...
loads along the length of each strut.
Most often their geometry is based on
platonic solidIn geometry, a Platonic solid is a convex polyhedron that is regular, in the sense of a regular polygon. Specifically, the faces of a Platonic solid are congruent regular polygons, with the same number of faces meeting at each vertex; thus, all its edges are congruent, as are its vertices and...
s. The simplest form is a horizontal slab of interlocking square
pyramidA pyramid is a building where the outer surfaces are triangular and converge at a point. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilateral, or any polygon shape, meaning that a pyramid has at least four faces...
s built from
aluminiumAluminium or aluminum is a silvery white and ductile member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al; its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
or
steelSteel is an alloy consisting mostly of iron, with a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most cost-effective alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
tubular struts. In many ways this looks like the horizontal jib of a tower crane repeated many times to make it wider. A stronger purer form is composed of interlocking
tetrahedral pyramidsIn geometry, a tetrahedron is a polyhedron composed of four triangular faces, three of which meet at each vertex. A regular tetrahedron is one in which the four triangles are regular, or "equilateral", and is one of the Platonic solids...
in which all the struts have unit length. More technically this is referred to as an isotropic vector matrix or in a single unit width an
octetAn octet is a group consisting of eight elements. It has several specific meanings:* Octet , a musical ensemble consisting of eight instruments....
truss. More complex variations change the lengths of the struts to curve the overall structure or may incorporate other geometrical shapes.
Space frames were independently developed by
Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone....
around 1900 and
Buckminster FullerRichard Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller was an American architect, author, designer, inventor, and futurist.Fuller published more than thirty books, inventing and popularizing terms such as "Spaceship Earth", ephemeralization, and synergetics...
in the 1950s. Bell's interest was primarily in using them to make rigid frames for nautical and aeronautical engineering although few if any were realised. Buckminster Fuller's focus was
architecturalFor a topical guide to this subject, see Outline of architecture. Architecture is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings and other physical structures for human shelter or use....
structures and has had more lasting influence.
Space frames are an increasingly common architectural technique especially for large roof spans in
modernistModernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes both a set of cultural tendencies and an array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society in the late...
commercial and industrial buildings.
Notable examples of buildings based on space frames are:
- Stansted airport in London, by Foster and Partners
Foster + Partners is an architectural firm based in the United Kingdom. The practice is led by its founder and Chairman, Norman Foster, and has constructed many high-profile glass-and-steel buildings...
- I. M. Pei
Ieoh Ming Pei , commonly known by his initials I. M. Pei, is a Pritzker Prize-winning Chinese-born American architect, known as the last master of high modernist architecture.-Early life and education:...
's Bank of China Tower and the Louvre PyramidThe Louvre Pyramid is a large glass and metal pyramid, surrounded by three smaller pyramids, in the main courtyard of the Louvre Palace in Paris. The large pyramid serves as the main entrance to the Louvre Museum...
- Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome, is a multi-purpose stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower near the shores of Lake Ontario...
by Rod RobbieRoderick George Robbie, O.C., LL.D., F.R.A.I.C. is a Canadian architect. He is known for his design of the Canada Pavilion at Expo 67 and Toronto's Rogers Centre....
and Michael Allan
- McCormick Place
McCormick Place is a large convention center made up of four interconnected buildings sited on and near the shore of Lake Michigan, about 4 km south of downtown Chicago, Illinois, USA. McCormick Place hosts numerous trade shows, including the Chicago Auto Show, held every February.-History:As...
East in ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and with more than 2.8 million people, the 3rd largest city in the United States...
- Eden Project
The Eden Project is a visitor attraction in the United Kingdom, including the world's largest greenhouse. Inside the artificial biomes are plants that are collected from all around the world....
in Cornwall, England
- Globen, Sweden - Dome with diameter of 110 m, (1989)
- Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 is a structure originally built to be a man-made, materially-closed ecological system in Oracle, Arizona by Space Biosphere Ventures, a joint venture whose principal officers were John P. Allen, inventor and Executive Director, and Margret Augustine, CEO...
in Oracle, Arizona
Larger portable stages and lighting gantries are also frequently built from space frames and octet trusses.
Tubular space frames are also widely used in the production of modern motorcycles and automobiles (and
NASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947-48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
race cars are exclusively built from spaceframe construction), but
monocoqueMonocoque, from Greek for single and French for shell , is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin. Monocoque construction was first widely used in...
car bodies have been more common since the 1950s. Spaceframes have also been used in the latest incarnations of the unorthodox bicycles designed by
Alex MoultonDr. Alexander Eric Moulton CBE is an English engineer and inventor, specialising in suspension design.Moulton is the great-grandson of the rubber pioneer Stephen Moulton, the founder of the family business George Spencer Moulton & Co...
. The first automotive aluminum space frame appeared on the
Honda NSXThe Honda NSX, or Acura NSX in North America, was a sports car produced between 1990 and 2005 by the Japanese automaker Honda. It sports a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout and was powered by an all-aluminum V6 gasoline engine featuring Honda's "variable valve timing and lift electronic control" ...
, other examples include the
Audi A8The Audi A8 is a four-door four/five-seat large luxury car built by the German automaker Audi, to replace the Audi V8 as its flagship model. First brought to the market in 1994, most versions of the A8 have featured Audi's 'trademark' quattro permanent four-wheel drive as standard, as well as a...
, Caterham 7,
Ferrari 360The Ferrari 360 is a mid-engine midsize two-seater sports car produced from late 1999 until 2005. The 360 replaced the Ferrari F355 and was itself replaced by the fairly similar Ferrari F430. For the 360, Ferrari partnered with Alcoa to produce an entirely new all-aluminum space-frame chassis that...
, and
Lamborghini GallardoThe Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 5000 built in its first three years of production. Each car costs about $180,000 to $210,000....
.
In February 1986, Paul C. Kranz walked into the U. S. Department of Transportation office in Fort Worth, Texas, with a model of an octet truss. He showed a staff person there how the octet truss was ideal for holding signs over roads. The idea and model was forwarded to HQ USDT in Washington, D. C. Today, the octet truss is the structure of choice for holding signs above roads in the United States.
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