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Space frame

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	Topics Space frame Topic Home A space frame or space structure is a trussTruss In architecture and structural engineering, a truss is a static structure consisting of straight slender members inter-conne... -like, lightweight rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometricGeometry Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships.... patternPattern A pattern is a form, template, or model which can be used to make or to generate things or parts of a thing, especially if t... . 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 loadLoad Load may mean:* The structural load or forces applied to a structure.... s (bending momentsMoment (physics) In physics, the moment of force is a quantity that represents the magnitude of force applied to a rotational system at a dis... ) are transmitted as tensionTension (mechanics) Tension is a reaction force applied by a stretched string on the objects which stretch it.... and compressionPhysical compression Physical compression is the result of the subjection of a material to compressive stress, resulting in reduction of volume.... loads along the length of each strut. Most often their geometry is based on platonic solidPlatonic solid In geometry, a Platonic solid is a convex regular polyhedron.... s. The simplest form is a horizontal slab of interlocking square pyramidPyramid Pyramids are among the largest man-made constructions as well as one of the great Wonders of the ancient world.... s built from aluminiumAluminium Aluminium or aluminum is the chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Al and atomic number 13... or steelSteel Steel is a metal alloy whose major component is iron, with carbon content between 0.02% and 1.7% by weight.... 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 pyramidsTetrahedron A tetrahedron is a polyhedron composed of four triangular faces, three of which meet at each vertex.... 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 octetOctet An octet is a group consisting of eight elements.... 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 Alexander Graham Bell was a Scottish scientist and inventor.... around 1900 and Buckminster FullerBuckminster Fuller Richard Buckminster Fuller was an American visionary, designer, architect, poet, author, and inventor.... 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 architecturalArchitecture * Architectural history* Architectural mythology... structures and has had more lasting influence. Space frames are an increasingly common architectural technique especially for large roof spans in modernistModernism Modernism is a trend of thought which affirms the power of human beings to make, improve and reshape their environment, with... commercial and industrial buildings. Notable examples of buildings based on space frames are: Stansted airport in London, by Foster and PartnersFoster and Partners Foster and Partners is a leading firm of architects in the United Kingdom.... I. M. PeiI. M. Pei Ieoh Ming Pei , commonly known by his initials I.... 's Bank of China Tower and the Louvre PyramidLouvre Pyramid Overview Louvre Pyramid is the large glass pyramid at the front of the Louvre museum in Paris.... Rogers CentreRogers Centre Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome,... by Rod RobbieRod Robbie Roderick George Robbie, O.C., LL.D., F.R.A.I.C.... and Michael Allan McCormick PlaceMcCormick Place Overview McCormick Place is an enormous exposition complex located in Chicago, Illinois.... East in ChicagoFacts About Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the U.S.... Eden ProjectEden Project The Eden Project is a large-scale environmental complex near St Austell, Cornwall, England.... in Cornwall, England Stockholm Globe Arena, Sweden - Dome with diameter of 110 m, (1989) Biosphere 2Biosphere 2 Overview Biosphere 2 is a structure built to be an artificial closed ecological system in Oracle, Arizona by John Polk Allen, Space B... in Oracle, Arizona Larger portable stages and lighting gantriesCrane (machine) A crane is a tower or derrick equipped with cables and pulleys that is used to lift and lower materials.... 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 NASCARNASCAR The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States.... race cars are exclusively built from spaceframe construction), but monocoqueMonocoque Monocoque is a construction technique that uses the external skin of an object to support some or most of the load on the s... 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 MoultonAlex Moulton Overview Dr. Alexander Eric Moulton CBE is an English engineer and inventor, specialising in suspension design.... . Gallery External links Academic Links Informational Links See also Platonic solidPlatonic solid In geometry, a Platonic solid is a convex regular polyhedron.... s Body-on-frameBody-on-frame Summary Body-on-frame is an automobile construction technology.... MonocoqueMonocoque Monocoque is a construction technique that uses the external skin of an object to support some or most of the load on the s... Backbone chassisBackbone chassis Backbone chassis is a type of an automobile construction chassis that is similar to the body-on-frame design....