SSD(Space Structure Designer) is a unique state of the art software to produce manufacture data and installation drawings for space frame structures. for more information refer to www.paydaralborz.com. this software is available to purchase now.

1. Farshid Mossaiby
University of Isfahan, December 2015

2.  Introduction
 Space structures
 The MERO system
 Space Structure Designer (SSD) software
 Some projects done with SSD
 Conclusion

3.  A space structure is a truss-like, lightweight
structure constructed from interlocking struts
in a geometric pattern
 They can be effectively used to span large
areas with no or few interior supports
 Bending moments are transmitted as tension
and compression loads along the length of
each strut

4.  Brief history of MERO system
 In 1928 Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Max Mengeringhausen
founds the company in Berlin
 Years of development work lead to innovative and
individual solutions in building construction,
especially the MERO system of nodes and beams
(MEngeringhausen ROhrbauweise).

5.  In 1957 the Mero construction technique, which
uses hollow steel tubes connected into steel
nodes in a predetermined geometry, was
presented at the Berlin International Construction
Fair

6.  The MERO system

10.  Flat

11.  Barrel

12.  Dome

13.  HP surface

14.  Freeform

15.  Ferrari World, Abu DhabiFerrari World, Abu Dhabi

16.  Roof structureRoof structure
 ~200,000 m~200,000 m22
 Approximately 172,000 members and 43,100Approximately 172,000 members and 43,100
nodesnodes
 Largest space frame structure ever builtLargest space frame structure ever built
worldwideworldwide

21.  Members are easy to analyze and design
 Detailing, grouping, and erection need extra
care

22.  Contract with Paydar Alborz Space
Structures
 More than 8,500 lines of C# code, written
from scratch
 Several months of development
 No 3rd
party libraries used to maximize
maintainability of the code

23.  Main features of SSD
 Reading the structure and design data from
SAP2000
 Perform checking and detailing of the structure
 Generate 2D and 3D installation plans (DXF)
 Generate CNC files for automatic building of balls
 Estimate weight and price of the final structure

24.  Main features of SSD (cont’d)
 Modern, 3D and user friendly GUI
 Collision checking of all parts of a connection
 Help designer identify the problems in early
stages of the design process
 Easy-to-update database of all parts
 Support for all types of space structures

25.  Design process

26.  Design process

27.  Reading input from SAP2000 enables the
designer to analyze and design the whole
structure (along with all non space frame
stuff) with desired level of details and
building code of interest

28.  Sample 2D installation plan

29.  Sample sphere grouping
Name Group type Sphere type Joint no.
P1 Normal N90/80 2 [M20/65/8.8, (0.0, 2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (270.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (313.4, 46.5)]; [M12/8.8, (0.0, -9
P2 Normal N90/80 18 [M20/65/8.8, (0.0, 2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (180.0, 2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (90.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (46.6,
P3 Normal N90/80 2 [M20/65/8.8, (0.0, 2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (90.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (46.6, 46.5)]; [M12/8.8, (0.0, -90.0
P4 Normal N90/80 28 [M20/65/8.8, (0.0, 2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (90.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (270.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (46.6,
P5 Normal N90/80 86 [M20/65/8.8, (0.0, 2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (180.0, 2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (270.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (90.0
P6 Normal N90/80 16 [M20/65/8.8, (0.0, 2.2)]; [M20/90/10.9, (180.0, 2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (270.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (90.
P7 Normal N90/80 24 [M20/90/10.9, (0.0, 2.2)]; [M20/90/10.9, (180.0, 2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (270.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (90
P8 BoltedSupport N110/100 2 [M20/65/8.8, (0.0, 17.8)]; [M20/65/8.8, (90.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (215.1, 29.5)]; [M20/65/8.8, (294
P9 Normal N90/80 8 [M20/65/8.8, (0.0, -2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (180.0, -2.2)]; [M20/65/8.8, (270.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (45
P10 BoltedSupport N110/100 2 [M20/65/8.8, (0.0, -13.4)]; [M20/65/8.8, (180.0, 8.9)]; [M20/65/8.8, (270.0, 0.0)]; [M20/65/8.8, (38

30.  Sample member grouping
Name Cut length Member no. Combination Section Cone Sleeve Bolt Pin
G1 2812.2 216 E48 T48.3x3 C48/25/22 S30/30/22 M20/65/8.8 P4/30
G2 2802.2 116 E60 T60.3x3 C60/30/22 S30/30/22 M20/65/8.8 P4/30
G3 2792.2 36 E76-1 T76.1x3.5 C76/35/22 S30/30/22 M20/65/8.8 P4/30
G4 2772.2 24 E89-0 T88.9x4 C89/45/22 S36/30/22 M20/65/8.8 P4/36
G5 2732.2 32 E114-1 T114.3x4 C114/50/22 S46/45/22 M20/90/10.9 P5/46
G6 2810 154 E48 T48.3x3 C48/25/22 S30/30/22 M20/65/8.8 P4/30
G7 2800 54 E60 T60.3x3 C60/30/22 S30/30/22 M20/65/8.8 P4/30
G8 2790 69 E76-1 T76.1x3.5 C76/35/22 S30/30/22 M20/65/8.8 P4/30
G9 2625.2 26 E60 T60.3x3 C60/30/22 S30/30/22 M20/65/8.8 P4/30
G10 2635.2 12 E48 T48.3x3 C48/25/22 S30/30/22 M20/65/8.8 P4/30

31.  Sample bill of materials
Type Name Quantity
Sphere N90/80 254
Sphere N110/100 98
Sphere N130/120 12
Section T48.3x2.5 (St37) 2111776.9
Section T60.3x2.5 (St37) 720617.4
Section T76.1x3 (St37) 565972
Section T88.9x4 (St37) 143274.1
Section T114.3x4 (St37) 107830.8
Cone C48/25/22 1556
Cone C60/30/22 528
Cone C76/35/22 418

32.  Alzawraa stadium, Baghdad, Iraq
 Aşgabat customs, Aşgabat, Turkmenistan
 Duhok cultural center, Duhok, Iraq
 Several other projects; for more information
please visit http://paydaralborz.comhttp://paydaralborz.com

33.  Benefits of space structures
 The MERO system
 SSD software
 Reliable design and detailing of space frame
structures
 Several type of outputs
 Easy-to-use, 3D and modern GUI

34.  Thank you!Thank you!
 Any questions?Any questions?