2. VECTORACTIVE
• Vector active structural systems are systems of short,
solid, straight lineal members, in which the
redirection of forces is effected by multidirectional
splitting of single force simply to tension or
compressive elements.
• Compressive and tensile members in a triangular
assembly form a stable composition that transmit loads
over long distances without any intermediate support.
• The structure experiences bending load as a whole but
transforms them into axial load when the load is
distributed among the members.
INTRODUCTION
Splitting of forces
In multiple directions
Force balancing in truss
4. VECTORACTIVE–FLATTRUSS
All members and nodes lie within a two dimensional plane.
Consists of straight members connected at joints.
FLAT
TRUSS
Load distribution in a truss
5. VECTORACTIVE–FLATTRUSS MATERIALS
Precast Trusses
Wood Trusses
Steel
TYPES
• King post: up to 4.5m
• Queen post: up to 7.5m
• Fink truss: up to 9m
• Scissors truss: up to 18m
• Howe truss: up to 60m
• Pratt truss: 20 to 100m
• Warren truss: 20 to 100m
• Bowstring truss: 20 to 100m
SPAN
6. Parts of a truss
Flat Truss Shape
VECTORACTIVE–FLATTRUSS
7. CURVED TRUSS E X AMPLES
The Eiffel Bridge By
Gustav Eiffel
Hamburg Airport by
Meinhard von Gerkan
VECTORACTIVE–CURVEDTRUSS
• A curved truss can be defined as a truss in
which the top chord is in a curved shape.
• Truss which consists of a parabolic shape
9. CURVING PROCESS
• Roller bending
Involves progressive bending of a
section by passing the member through a
set of bending rolls.
• Induction bending
The section is passed through an
electric coil.
VECTORACTIVE–CURVEDTRUSS
10. SPACE FRAME
A space frame or space structure is a truss-like,
lightweight rigid structure constructed from
interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space
frames can be used to span large areas with few
interior supports.
Assembled linear elements are arranged to transfer
the load. They take a form of a flat surface or
curved surface. Designed with no intermediate
columns to create large open area
VECTORACTIVE–SPACEFRAME
Montreal Biosphere
by Fuller
Rogers Centre
by Rod Robbie
E X AMPLES
11. • Single-layer grid: All elements are located on the surface to be approximated.
approximated.
Single layer grid Double layer grid Triple layer grid
VECTORACTIVE–SPACEFRAME
C L AS SIFICATION
• A Space Frame structure can be defined as a rigid, lightweight, truss-like structure.
It is constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern.
• A space frame structures robustness is due to its inherent rigidity of the triangle
and flexing loads that are transmitted as tension and compression loads along the
length of each strut.
• Double layer grid: Elements are organized in two layers parallel to
each other at a certain distance apart.
• Triple-layer grid: Elements are placed in three parallel layers, linked by the
diagonals.
12. SPACE FRAME JOINERY DETAILS
Joinery elements
Steel members connection
Section
3d structure view
VECTORACTIVE–SPACEFRAME
13. TREE/BRANCHING STRUCTURE
• This system features the use of tree-like columns for support.
• The column rises from the ground, like the trunk of a tree, and
then starts branching near the top to extend over a bigger span.
These columns are used for large spans or double height spaces.
• The main principle is the focus of reducing the mass of structural
materials while increasing efficiency.
• This concept of "lightweight" structure requires less material,
introducing optimal calculations to determine structural strength.
Sincere Plaza (Shanghai)
Architect – Woods Bagot
Westend Gate (Germany)
Architect - Just Burgeff
Tree structure project
Architect – Frei Otto
VECTORACTIVE–TREESYSTEM
E X AMPLES
15. • NAME : HALLE
• LOCATION : FRANCE, LYON
• ARCHITECT : TONY GARNIER
• INTRODUCTION : ORIGINALLY A SLAUGHTER
HOUSE, THE BUILIDNG WAS RENOVATED IN 1987
AND OPENED AS A CONCERT HALL IN 1988. WITH
A CAPACITY OF NARLY 17,000, IT IS THE
THIRD BIGGEST VENUE IN FRANCE.
CASE STUDY - FLAT TRUSS
CASESTUDY–FLATTRUSS
Front Elevation
Halle
16. CASESTUDY–FLATTRUSS
SPAN : 42m Interior View
Bolted Truss system
The lighting
bounces off the
truss and makes it
an aesthetic
element
17. • NAME : SCHULHAUS LEUTSCHENBACH.
• LOCATION : SWITZERLAND, ZURICH.
• ARCHITECT : CHRISTIAN KEREZ.
• INTRODUCTION : THE NORTH OF ZÜRICH GAINED AN
UNAMBIGUOUS STEEL AND GLASS BUILDING. THE LARGE
LATTICE-CLAD VOLUME OF SCHULHAUS LEUTSCHENBACH
APPEARS TO FLOAT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.A SCHOOL
BUILDING WHICH COMBINES A PRIMARY AND A SECONDARY
SCHOOL. ONE OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE DESIGN
WAS TO CREATE AS MUCH ROOM TO PLAY AS POSSIBLE.
• THE SUPPORT SYSTEM IS MADE OF STEEL
CASE STUDY 2 - FLAT TRUSS
CASESTUDY–FLATTRUSS
AREA : 11,500 sq.
SPAN : 50m
18. CASESTUDY–FLATTRUSS
Frame Model of Structure
The depth of truss is equal to entire floor,
This gives an open feeling to the floor
5m gap at every triangle base
Joinery between beam and truss
(Welded together)
20. CASESTUDY - Friends arena
• LOCATION – SWEDEN
• ARCHITECT – C.F MOLLER ARCHITECTS
• INTRODUCTION -FRIENDS ARENA, ALSO
KNOWN AS NATIONALARENAN, IS A
RETRACTABLE ROOF MULTI-PURPOSE
STADIUM IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN.
CASESTUDY–CURVEDTRUSS
• Span : 162m
21. • A curved bowstring steel truss
• 3-dimensional configuration.
• The internal horizontal bracings help
control buckling.
Internal bracing
CASESTUDY–CURVEDTRUSS
Crocodile Nose joint
3D truss diagram
Interior View
Frame
22. • Pre‐stressed cables in the
bottom chord:
1. Controls deflections
2. Counteracts self‐weight
3. Enhances the lateral
stability of arched
trusses in the case of
uplift
4. Results in less material
usage and more efficient
design
Prestressed cable at the bottom chord
Bottom chord Truss components
CASESTUDY–CURVEDTRUSS
23. The section through the mechanism
The guide along
which the roof moves
CASESTUDY–CURVEDTRUSS
Closed roof Open roof
24. CASESTUDY –
WATERLOO STATION
• LOCATION – LONDON
• ARCHITECT – GRIMSHAW ARCHITECTS
• INTRODUCTION -THE INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL AT
WATERLOO STATION IN LONDON IS AN ELONGATED,
FOUR-PLATFORM RAILWAY CONCOURSE WITH A SNAKING
GLASS-AND-STEEL ROOF
o ASSYMTRICAL ROOF-COMBINATION 2 SLOPING CURVED
TRUSSES.
o SPAN – 38M
CASESTUDY–CURVEDTRUSS
View
Interior
25. •3 PINNED ARCHED
•ASSYMETRY BECAUSE OF
o SITE CONSTRAINTS
o IRREGULAR PLATFORM ARRANGEMENT
o CLEARANCE CONSTRAINTS
•Telescopic members which allow to
change the truss size according to the
site restrictions
CASESTUDY–CURVEDTRUSS
Section
PlanHuman for scale
Hinges
Minor Truss
Major Truss
26. Primary Structure ( Major Truss + Minor Truss
)
Major Truss –
• Prismatic in cross section to avoid
sagging.
• 2 compression members on the outer side.
• 1 tension member on the inside.
Minor Truss –
• Prismatic in cross section to avoid
hogging.
• 2 tension members on the outside.
• 1 compression member inside.
CASESTUDY–CURVEDTRUSS
29. • NAME: JACOB K JAVATIS CONVENTIONAL CENTER
• LOCATION: NEW YORK
• ARCHITECT: JAMES INGO FREED (PEI COBB FREED &
PARTNERS)
• COMPLETION: 1986
• TYPE: PUBLIC BUILDING.
• STRUCTURE BY: DSI Spaceframes.
THE PROJECT FEATURES 38000 SQM AND 23000 SQM
EXHIBITION SPACES, A HALL WITH SEATING CAPACITY
3800 AND FEW MEETING ROOMS.
THE STRUCTURE ALSO HOUSES CAFETERIA, LOUNGE, A
CRYSTAL PALACE, GALLERY AND RIVER PAVILION.
CASESTUDY–SPACEFRAME
SPACE FRAME-CASE STUDY
31. WHOLE STRUCTURE CONSISTS OF SPACE FRAMES FOR VERTICAL AS WELL AS HORIZONTAL MEMBERS.
CASESTUDY–SPACEFRAME
32. • Name: Heydar Aliyev cultural center
• Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
• Architect: Zaha Hadid architect
• Completion: 2013
• Type : Public building
• Structure by: Space frame
THE STRUCTURE 101801 SQM BUILDING COMPEX.
THE CENTRE ACCOMMODATE 1000 AUDITORIUM,
TEMPORARY EXHIBITION SPACE A CONFERENCE
CENTRE, WORKSHOPS AND MUSEUM
CASESTUDY–SPACEFRAME
SPACE FRAME - CASE STUDY 2
35. LOCATION - Stuttgart ,Germany
ARCHITECTS - Gerkan, Mag and Partners.
TYPE- Airport
BUILT IN- 1948
• The Stuttgart Airport uses Tree-like Support
Structures in the entry terminals to create an
ascending open warehouse-like space.
• The monopitch roof is supported by 18 filigree
tree-columns and creates a delicate and
interior space.
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
CONCEPT - The concept of Biomimicry,
considered as the science and philosophy
of learning from nature , is a source of
architectural design inspiration with
different approaches undertaken by
architects and engineers.
Stuttgart Airport Terminal
CASESTUDY–TREESYSTEM
36. BACKGROUND
What makes this airport unique is that for a
relatively small airport, the use of bio-mimicry in
light weight structural members creates a powerful
with the built and natural environment giving the
building an open and inspiring vibe.
SPECIFICATIONS
•Gross floor area-57,000 m² (613,542 sq. Ft)
•Dimensions - 175 X 96m
•Height - 5 to 18m
•Span b/w 2 columns- 30m
Tree-like Support Structures in
the entry terminals create an
ascending open warehouse-like
space.
Grid of the tree like structureSection
CASESTUDY–TREESYSTEM
37. STRUCTURAL DESIGN
• The entire roof is divided into twelve sections partitioned by skylights,
two-way slabs. Each of these areas are supported by the steel tree-like
The branches direct
the forces into
smaller resultant
points ;and then
transfer into the
four tubular poles
that acts as one.
These "columns“
then gather all the
loads passing down
through the
branches which are
translated into the
trunk and then down
to the foundation.
1 single support contains
four attached tubular poles
forming trunk of the tree;
and spread into 3 different
levels (forms into the
branches).
(They are distributed to
carry the roof loads in
compression with minimal
bending moments. )
Design of a single tubular pole dividing into
several branches
CASESTUDY–TREESYSTEM
38. STRUCTURAL DESIGN
• A perfect example of umbel system;
the total load is distributed to one
point and from there, it transmits
total load via a single member to a
support point.
• Umbel structures start to split and
divide loads that meet at nodes.
are many variations to these
that can be determined by the number
tiers and number of nodes needed for
support.
Interior roofing made of Gypsum boards resting
on I- section steel grid
Model of the tree structure- Load getting distributed
evenly among the branches due to triangulation.
CASESTUDY–TREESYSTEM
