LAMELLA DOME

ASSIGNMENT 2

Submitted by
Rubeena
MAR11005
Advanced
Structural System
Content

Space frame
Lamella roof
Lamella dome
Features
Advantages
Wooden lamella dome
Steel lamella dome
Astrodome
SPACE FRAMES

Space frames are classied as

Based on structure
single-,
double- or multi-
layered structures,
Based on shape
at, resulting in grid
structures,
curved in one or two
directions, forming barrel
vaults and dome
structures.

Fig 1. Space frame

Ref: http://www.geometrica.com/sites/default/files/images/Sys.Module.png

Ref: http://www.thecivilbuilders.com/2013/01/space-frames-structural-types.html
 SPACE FRAMES

Grid structures can be further categorized

lattice
space grids

in which the members may run in two, three or four principal directions.

Double-layer lattice grids: the top and bottom grids are identical, with the
top layer positioned directly over the bottom layer.

Double-layer space grids: formed from pyramidal units with triangular or

square bases resulting in either identical parallel top and bottom grids offset
horizontally to each other, or parallel top and bottom grids each with a
different conguration interconnected at the node points by inclined web
members to form a regular stable structure.

Ref: http://www.thecivilbuilders.com/2013/01/space-frames-structural-types.html
 Fig 2. double layer grids

Ref: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/spaceframe-170214063940/95/space-frame-22-
638.jpg?cb=1487055188
 SPACE FRAMES

Structural performance.

Single-layer grids :
exural moments, - 15 m
span
double- and triple-layer
grids : axial tensile or
compressive forces 100
m span and economical

Skeletal space frames

curved in one direction
forming single- or double-
layer barrel vaults also
provide elegant structures
capable of covering large
clear spans. Fig 3. LAgora Space frame
Ref: https://www.slideshare.net/flemingprakash/miscellaneous-structures

Ref: http://www.thecivilbuilders.com/2013/01/space-frames-structural-types.html
 SPACE FRAMES
Single-layer vaults : spans of up to 40m,
Double-layer barrel vaults: clear spans in
excess of 120m.

Single-layer steel domes : tubular

members with spans in excess of 50m
Double-layer dome : clear spans slightly
greater than 200m.

Skeletal steel dome structures

based orientation and position of the
principal members.
ribbed domes,
Schwedler domes,
three-way grid domes and
parallel lamella domes.

Fig 4. Bracing of single layer

barrel vault

Ref: http://www.thecivilbuilders.com/2013/01/space-frames-structural-types.html
 LAMELLA ROOF

A lamella roof, also known as the "Zollinger roof" , is a vaulted roof made up
of simple, single prefabricated standard segments as a way to span large
spaces.
Lamella dome is made of intersecting arches hinged together at their
midpoints to form an interlocking network in a diamond pattern

The individual pieces are joined together with bolts and/or plates to form a
rhomboid pattern.

Wooden sheathing covers the structure on the outside.

The lamella roof was patented in 1910 and became popular between the
World Wars, especially in Germany when metal for construction was in
short supply.
Some of these structures are now almost 100 years old and many of them
remain in very good condition. Sometimes very similar roofs were built with
steel
In the 1950s, this concept was adapted to the construction of large dome
structures by architect Gustel Kiewitt in the U.S.

Ref: http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Lamella_Roof
 LAMELLA ROOF
These roofs are inexpensive,
very easy to build and elegant.

Local wood can be used.

The standard wooden
segments are short and can
therefore easily be mass
produced.

There is no need for an

extensive temporary
scaffolding.

Fig 4. Hale County Animal Shelter (Auburn

University's Rural Studio Project)

Fig 4. Models built for the exhibit: "Weniger

ist Zukunft" Berlin Galerie Mutter Fourage

Ref: http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Lamella_Roof
 LAMELLA DOME
They are generated with concentric rings,
where each subsequent ring is rotated by a
half module.
This reduces the length of the ring tubes as the
geometry proceeds towards the apex.

When the tubes of the rings become too small

(usually half the length of the first), they
"consolidate" to the next ring, joining the two
Fig 5. Bracing of single layer
divisions into one. barrel vault

The separation between rings in Lamella domes can be varied so they are
equilateral triangles forming each ring.
Because the tubes of each ring are equal, the manufacturing time is fast and
assembly is easy. Domes such as the Cancun Hyatt and the Mustafa Centre use
Lamella geometry.
Only few of the ribs running from the rim to the crown of the dome as
meridional spherical sector dividers.
All other ribs running as intra- sector parallel lines, curvilinear or straight thus
forming a diamond grid

Ref: http://www.geometrica.com/en/domes
ADVANTAGES OF LAMELLA DOME
Eliminating the crowding effect of meridional ribs at the crown of the dome

Dispensing with the necessity of introducing a compression ring around the

crown

Having all panel loads at rib intersections almost equal in magnitude

Requiring only short, light struts for all rib segments

Uniform stress distribution

 LAMELLA DOME

Fig 7. Mustafa Center in

Fig 6. Cancun Hyatt Singapore

Ref: http://www.geometrica.com/en/domes
FEATURES

Pin jointed framed domes

Not framed with rotational
symmetry
All are subject to unsymmetrical
loadings.

Analysis methods
model testing techniques,
(accurate
pierced membrane analogies
space truss solutions.
The largest lamella dome to date is
approximately 240 ft. in diameter.

Formed from a number of

lozenge-shaped lamella units
which are interconnected together
to form a diamond or rhombus Fig 8. Various lamella dome frames
arrangement.

Ref: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsapp/BT/DOMES/HOUSTON/h-lamel.html
 DOMES

Ref: http://www.thecivilbuilders.com/2013/01/space-
frames-structural-types.html
 WOODEN LAMELLA DOMES

Fig 9. Gymnasium, St. Joseph, Missouri. Fig 10. Church, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Non-structural roof deck

Secondary bracing by sub purlin for the dome framing.
Both installations are supported on columns pinned radially and fixed
tangentially at the outer ring.

Ref: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsapp/BT/DOMES/HOUSTON/h-lamel.html
 STEEL LAMELLA DOMES

In the Houston dome, temperature variations

displaced the sunward columns by as much
as 2 inches radially at their tops in an effective
length of 6 ft. 0 in.

37 temporary erection towers were used for

scaffolding, and the longer Lamella units were
required to be in excess of 120 ft in length in
order to span between scaffold towers.

Fig 11. Sports stadium, Houston, Texas. Special cranes with boom length up to 275 ft.
were used to lift units up to the 210 ft clear
center height.

The weight of the roof structure including the

outer (tension) ring was slightly less than 16
lbs/sq.ft.

Ref: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsapp/BT/DOMES/HOUSTON/h-lamel.html
 EXAMPLES
1. Astrodome
2. Silver Dome
Ballroom

Fig 12. Astrodome

Ref: https://sites.google.com/site/theastrodomeamarvelofcivil/structural-engineering-design

Fig 13. Silver Dome Ballroom

Ref: http://silverdomeballroom.net/about/ABOUT
 ASTRODOME
Roof design : diagonal trusses and horizontal supports with 12 pieces and fit
together at the site.

Each truss support of the roof is 56 deep for more support.

The effects of gravity caused a great outward force of the roof segments that
had to be contained with a 376 ton tension ring that spanned the
circumference of the dome, much like the ring of a barrel.

The ring rested on 72 columns that were located at every five degrees from the
center and employ a knuckled column design to disallow shear forces but
support central forces.

The outer walls of the stadium are also constructed of trusses to bear the load of
the crowd and the roof (Macauley, 2000).

There were challenges in finding the loads because of the asymmetry of parts
of the stadium, large mechanical equipment, and temperature considerations.

A wind tunnel test and model testing for structural stability was performed

Ref: https://sites.google.com/site/theastrodomeamarvelofcivil/structural-engineering-design
ASTRODOME

Fig 14. A detail of a segment of the lamella roof.

Ref: https://sites.google.com/site/theastrodomeamarvelofcivil/structural-engineering-design
ASTRODOME
Challenges faced: the
deflections of the dome
once the construction
supports were removed.

Fig 15. The forces of the dome were transferred to the

support columns.

If all went according to plan, the pins and welds held and the tension ring
was strong enough, the deflection should only be 1.88. The final
measurement was within .25 of the prediction

Ref: https://sites.google.com/site/theastrodomeamarvelofcivil/structural-engineering-design
 CONCLUSION
Steel Lamella domes are inexpensive compared to wooden. Lamella domes
are beautiful and a favorite for architectural applications. No Lamella
truss dome structure has ever featured the rounded, band-shell style ends found
on the Silver Dome, making it a one-of-a-kind building.

Buckling is one of the most important problems for dome structures.

THANK YOU !!