1) Space frames are 3D structures composed of linear elements arranged to transfer loads and form flat or curved surfaces without interior columns, creating large open areas. 2) Space frames were independently developed in the early 1900s and 1950s and became popular in the 1960s for unstable soil conditions, forming monolithic walls without cracking. 3) Space frames are designed using a rigidity matrix that simplifies calculations if joints are sufficiently rigid, neglecting angular deflections. They can be single, double, or triple layered grids and are commonly made of steel, timber, tubes, and connectors.

1. SPACE FRAME

2. SPACE FRAME
A THREE DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE.
ASSEMBLED LINEAR ELEMENTS ARE ARRANGED TO TRANSFER THE LOAD. TAKE A
FORM OF A FLAT SURFACE OR CURVED SURFACE.
DESIGNED WITH NO INTERMEDIATE COLUMNS TO CREATE LARGE OPEN AREA.
HISTORY OF SPACE FRAME
SPACE FRAMES WERE INDEPENDENTLY DEVELOPED BY ALEXANDER GRAHAM
BELL AROUND 1900 AND BUCKMINSTER FULLER IN THE 1950S BUCKMINSTER
FULLER'S FOCUS WAS ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURES; HIS WORK HAD GREATER
INFLUENCE.
IT WAS DEVELOPED IN CALIFORNIA DURING THE 1960S AND INTRODUCED TO THE
SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET IN 1982, SPECIFICALLY DEVELOPED FOR UNSTABLE SOIL
CONDITIONS, THE PANELS FORM A MONOLITHIC STRUCTURE OFFERING
SUPERIOR WALL STRENGTH IN WHICH NO CRACKING WILL OCCUR
DESIGN METHOD
SPACE FRAMES ARE TYPICALLY DESIGNED USING A RIGIDITY MATRIX. THE
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE STIFFNESS MATRIX IN AN ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE FRAME IS THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE ANGULAR FACTORS.
IF THE JOINTS ARE SUFFICIENTLY RIGID, THE ANGULAR DEFLECTIONS CAN BE
NEGLECTED, SIMPLIFYING THE CALCULATIONS.

3. Load Distribution

4. TYPES OF SPACEFRAME
CURVATURE CLASSIFICATION
1. SPACE PLANE COVERS:
- SPATIAL STRUCTURES COMPOSED OF PLANAR
SUBSTRUCTURES.
- DEFLECTIONS IN THE PLANE ARE CHANNELED THROUGH THE
HORIZONTAL BARS AND THE SHEAR FORCES ARE SUPPORTED
BY THE DIAGONALS.

5. TYPES OF SPACEFRAME
CURVATURE CLASSIFICATION
2. BARREL VAULTS:
HAS A CROSS SECTION OF A SIMPLE ARCH.
USUALLY THIS TYPE OF SPACE FRAME DOES NOT NEED TO
USE TETRAHEDRAL MODULES OR PYRAMIDS AS A PART OF ITS
BACKING.

6. TYPES OF SPACEFRAME
CURVATURE CLASSIFICATION
3. SPHERICAL DOMES:
REQUIRE THE USE OF TETRAHEDRAL MODULES OR PYRAMIDS
AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM A SKIN.

7. TYPES OF SPACE FRAME
1) Two and three-way grids
● Characterized as two way or three way
2) Single, Double and Triple Layered
● Single layer frame has to be singly or doubly curved.
● Commonly used space frames are double layered and flat.
● Triple layered is practically used for a large span building.

8. COMPONENTS OF SPACE FRAM
E
● Consists of axial members : which are tubes and connectors

9. MANY MATERIALS ARE USED FOR THESE SPACE FRAMES
STEEL TIMBER
STEEL
:
THIS STEEL MATERIAL WHICH IS USED FOR THE SPACE FRAMES
SUSTAIN MORE LOAD AND CARRY TONES OF WEIGHT.
THIS STEEL IS MOSTLY USED IN NOW-A-DAYS IN A LONG SPAN
STRUCTURES AND HAS TO BE MAINTAINED PROPERY
.
TIMBER
:
THIS TIMBER MATERIAL IS ALSO USED IN THE 19
th
CENTURY AND
BY USING THIS MATERIAL THE MAINTANIANCE LEVEL IS
BECOMING VERY HIGH.
MATERIALS

10. TUBE
S
1) Circular Hollow Section
s
2) Rectangular Hollow Sections

11. CONNECTOR
S
1) Tuball Node Connecto
r
● A hollow sphere made of spheroidal graphit
e
● The end of the circular hollow section member to be connected is fitted at its
ends by welding
.
● Connection from inside the cup is using bolt and nut.

13. 2) Nodus Connecto
r
● It can accept both rectangular and circular hollow sections and that the cladding can be fixed
directly to the chords
.
● Chord connectors have to be welded to the ends of the hollow members on site.

14. 3) Triodetic Connecto
r
● It consists of a hub, usually an aluminium extrusion, that has slots or key ways,
which the ends of members are pressed or coined to match the slots.

15. 4) Hemispherical Dome Connecto
r
● Usually use for double layer domes
.
● Has a span more than 40m
.
● More economical for long span
.
● The jointing is connect by sliting the end of the tube or rod with the joint fin
.
● There are 2 types of joint, pentagonal joint and hexagonal joint.

17. ADVANTAGE
S
● Ligh
t
● Elegant & Economica
l
● Carry load by three dimensional actio
n
● High Inherent Stiffnes
s
● Easy to construc
t
● Save Construction Time & Cos
t
● Services (such as lighting and air conditioning) can be integrated with space frame
s
● Offer the architect unrestricted freedom in locating supports and planning the subdivision of the
covered space.

18. LIMITATIONS
- A space frame or space structure is a truss-like, lightweight rigid
structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern
.
- Space frame truss can be used for a platform or overhead structure
that spans large distances without need for internal load bearing
support.
- Space frames are advantageous compared to other common
structures by their; light weight, mass production, stiffness, and
versatility.
- Space frames are classified into three types according to the number
of grid layers as follows; single, double, or triple layer
.
- Space frame connections can be made by; welding, bolting, or
threading.
- Space frame construction utilize three main methods of erection; 1-
scaffold method, 2. block assembly Method, lift-up method.

19. EXAMPLES OF BUILDING

20. SAN SIRO STADIUM, MILAN

21. STANSTED AIRPORT, LONDON