The document discusses space frames and geodesic domes, focusing on their structural engineering principles, advantages, and applications in architecture. It describes space frames as lightweight, rigid structures that span large distances and geodesic domes as sphere-like designs made up of triangular networks that offer structural strength. Additionally, it highlights engineer safety considerations and past engineering disasters while promoting Hindustan Alcox Ltd as a manufacturer of specialized steel structures.

1. SPACE FRAMES AND GEODESIC DOMES
BY Hindustan Alcox Ltd
www.alcox.in

2. SPACE FRAMES AND GEODESIC
DOMES
Objectives:
1. the concepts of point, line, plane and dimensions in
relationship to the triangle.
2. Understand the basic structural engineering concepts
that underlie geodesic dome construction;
3. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of
modern building materials in dome construction; and
4. Have an increased awareness of more in-depth
concepts relating to the study of architecture,
geometry, and structures.

3. Special Words
• A polyhedron (many surfaces) is a geometric
solid in three dimensions with flat faces and
straight edges.
• A tetrahedron is a polyhedron with four sides,
but is also called a pyramid.
• A hexahedron is a polyhedron with six sides, but
is also called a cube.
• A polyhedron with six rectangles as sides also
has many names—a rectangular parallelepided,
rectangular prism, or box.
• An octahedron is a polyhedron with eight faces.

4. Vocabulary
• Tension is a force that acts to expand or
lengthen the thing it is acting on.
• Compression is a force that acts to compress
or shorten the thing it is acting on.

5. • SPACE FRAME STRUCTURE

6. SPACE FRAMES or SPACE STRUCTURE
CAN SPAN LONG DISTANCES

7. SPACE FRAMES
• A space frame is a truss-like, lightweight rigid
structure constructed from interlocking struts
in a geometric pattern.

8. SPACE FRAMES
• Space frames or Space structure usually
utilize a multidirectional span, and are often
used to accomplish long spans with few

9. SPACE FRAMES
• They derive their strength from the inherent
rigidity of the triangular frame; flexing loads
(bending moments) are transmitted as tension
and compression loads along the length of
each strut.

10. Simplified space frame roof with the
half-octahedron highlighted in blue

11. • Space frames or Space structure are an
increasingly common architectural technique
especially for large roof spans in modernist
commercial and industrial buildings

12. Some space frame applications
include:
• Hotel/Hospital/commercial building
entrances
• Commercial building lobbies/atriums
• Parking canopies

13. Advantages of space frame systems over
conventional systems:
 Random column placement
 Column-free spaces
 Minimal perimeter support
 Controlled load distribution
 Design freedom
 Supports all types of roofing

14. GEODESIC DOMES
• A geodesic dome is a sphere-like structure
composed of a complex network of triangles.

15. GEODESIC DOMES
• Geodesic domes are usually
hemispheres (parts of spheres, like
half a ball) made up of triangles. The
triangles have 3 parts:
–the face - the part in the middle
–the edge - the line between corners
–the vertex - where the edges meet

16. The triangles create a self-bracing
framework that gives structural
strength while using a minimum of
material.

17. DOMES

21. A dome’s design is dependent upon
many factors, including:
• Needed area and span, or distance between
supports;
• Budget and building schedule;
• Architect’s and /or client’s aesthetic
preferences;
• Forces, such as compression and tension,
acting on the structure; and
• Building materials.

22. EXAMPLES OF GEODESIC DOMES:
Spaceship Earth, the AT&T Pavilion at Epcot in
Disney World, Florida, is an adaptation of
Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome
Tacoma Dome in Washington State
Milwaukee's Mitchell Park Conservatory
Biosphere desert project in Arizona
Des Moines Arboretum, a self contained
ecosphere

23. Engineering Disasters
Engineers must be concerned about safety at all times.
Lives are at stake when bridges, buildings, or structures
collapse. Engineers must design structures to withstand
all kinds of weather conditions and all types of loads.
While the goal is to have no design fail, engineers
examine and learn from past mistakes to avoid such
failures in the future.
• Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Tacoma, Washington (failed in
1940)
10 killed

24. Engineering Disasters
• Falls View Bridge, Niagara Falls (failed 1938)
18 killed
• Tay Bridge, Scotland (failed in 1879)
29 killed
• Quebec Bridge, St. Lawrence River (failed
1907,1916)
45 killed

25. Engineering Disasters
• Point Pleasant/Silver Bridge, Ohio River
(failed 1967)
75 killed
• Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse, Kansas
City, Missouri (failed in 1981)
112 killed

27. Hindustan Alcox Ltd
28 years experience in Engineering steel
structures
• High credentials in the market
• Commitment
• Quality Work
• Timely completion
• Good creditability with suppliers
• The company is engaged
• Design
• Fabrication
• Erection
• Specialized steel structures
• Space Frame
• Pre Engineered Buildings
• Large Span Steel Structures

28. • ALCOX DOESN'T CREATE PRODUCTS, IT
ENGINEERS SATISFACTION.EACH AND EVERY
PROJECT IS TREATED AS AN OPPORTUNITY
AND EVERY ACHIEVEMENT AS A PLATFORM
TO SET NEW GOALS.
We are the space frame manufacturer in India
Thank you