Folded plate structures are assemblies of flat plates rigidly connected along edges to form a structure without additional beams. They were first used in 1923 for an aircraft hangar. The principle is inspired by folding in nature like leaves and wings. Structural behavior depends on folding pattern and connections. Types include folded plate surfaces, frames, and spatial structures made of materials like concrete, metal, wood, and glass. Applications include roofs, walls, floors, and steel sheet piles. Advantages are light construction and longer spans while disadvantages include complex formwork and labor. Examples are the Air Force Academy Chapel and Yokohama Passenger Terminal. The document recommends using folded plates for portable homeless shelters in Bangladesh.

1. Folded Plate Structure
A Concept That Every Civil Engineer Should Know About…
Md. Al-Mobin Shah Masum
B. Sc. in Engineering (Civil), UAP, 2016

2. Outline
 Definition
 Folding Systems in Nature
 The Principle of Folding
 The Basic concept of Folding
 Structural Behavior of Folding
 Types of Folded Structure
 The Application of Folded Structures
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Folded-Plate Structure
 Some Real Life Examples of Folded Plate Structure
 Recommendation

3. Definition
Folded plates are assemblies of flat plates rigidly connected together along
their edges in such a way that the structural system capable of carrying loads
without the need for additional supporting beams along mutual edges.
Engineer Eudene Freyssinet
performed the first roof with the
folded structure in 1923 as an
aircraft hangar at Orly Airport in
Paris.

4. Folding Systems in Nature
The principle of folding as a tool to develop a general structural shape has
been known for a long time. Folded structure systems which are analogous to
several biological systems such as found at broadleaf-tree leaves, petals and
foldable insect wings, are adopted to be employed in a new, technical way.
Leaf of Palm Tree Beetle Insect With
Foldable Wings
Seashell

5. The Principle of Folding
The structural characteristics of folding structures depend on-
 The pattern of the folding.
 Their geometrical basic shape.
 Its material.
 The connection of the different
folding planes.
 The design of the bearings.

6. The Basic concept of Folding
The concept of stiffness generation

7. Structural Behavior of Folding
Structural Condition Of Folding Structures.
Load Distribution process :
 At first, the external forces are
transferred to the shorter edge
of one folding element.
 There, the reaction as an axial
force is divided between the
adjacent elements.
 Then the forces transferred to
the bearings.

8. Types of Folded Structure
Based on geometric shape folded structures
can be divided into:
 Folded plate surfaces structures
 Folded plate frames structures
 Spatial folded plate structures

9. Types of Folded Structure
Classification of folded structures based on the material they
are made of:
 Folded structures made of reinforced concrete
 Metal folded structures
 Folded structures of wood
 Folded structures of glass
 Folded structures of plastic materials
 Folded constructions made in combination
of different materials

10. The Application of Folded Structures
 As Roof Structure  As Wall Structure
 As Steel Sheet Piles As Floor Structure
MiamiMarineStadium,
Florida
ChurchofNotreDame
deRoyan,France
Mezzanineceilingcalled
"Kielsteg"
SecuringTheFoundation
PitWithLarsenPlanks

11. Advantages and Disadvantages of Folded-Plate Structure
 Advantages:
 Very light form of construction. To span 30 m shell thickness
required is 60 mm only.
 The use of concrete as a building material reduces both materials
cost and a construction cost.
 Longer span can be provided.
 Flat shapes by choosing certain arched shapes.
 Esthetically it looks good over other forms of construction.
 Disadvantages:
 Shuttering is difficult.
 Greater accuracy in formwork is required.
 Good labor and supervision necessary.
 Rise of roof may be a disadvantage.

12. Air Force Academy Chapel, USA
Architect: Walter Netsch,
Length: 280 ft, Height: 150 ft, Width: 84 ft,
Year: 1962
Source:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Academy_Cadet_Chapel
Some Real Life Examples of Folded Plate Structure

13. Yokohama International Passenger Terminal,
Architect: Alejandro Zaera-Polo & Farshid
Moussavi
Floor Area: 34,732 m2,
Length: 430m, Height: 15m, Width: 70m
Source: www.osanbashi.com/en/outline/features.html
Some Real Life Examples of Folded Plate Structure

14. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre,
Architect: Ali Imam,
Year: 2004,
Seating capacity: 275 people
Source: www.novotheatre.gov.bd
Some Real Life Examples of Folded Plate Structure

15. Kamalapur Rail StationBangladesh National Museum
More In Bangladesh:
Some Real Life Examples of Folded Plate Structure

16. Mausoleum Of Three LeadersMohakhali Bus Terminal
More In Bangladesh:
Some Real Life Examples of Folded Plate Structure

17. There are many homeless people in Bangladesh. Specially during disaster, many
people become homeless. We can use the concept of folded plate structure to
make portable shelter for the homeless people. Significant works on this project is
already in progress. It is very cheap and easily useable by anyone. We just have to
adopt it for our people.
reCover Accordion Shelter Light Weight Emergency Shelter
Recommendation

18. The concept of Folded plate system is a wonderful gift of nature to us.
We should use this concept for more innovative ways to improve our
structures.
And Last…