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Report on Space Structures

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Added on  2021-05-30

Report on Space Structures

   Added on 2021-05-30

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Running head: SPACE STRUCTURES – LAB REPORT 1Space StructuresName of StudentInstitutional AffiliationName of ProfessorDate
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SPACE STRUCTURES – LAB REPORT2Space structuresSpace structures also commonly referred to as space frames are rigid, light-weight, truss-like structures which are constructed from some interlocking struts in geometrical patterns (Leet, Uang, and Gilbert, 2011). The space structures can be used to span very large areas with only a few interior supports. Just like the trusses, the space structures are strong due to the inherent rigidity of the triangles and hence the flexing loads or the bending moments are normally transmitted as compression or tension loads along the length of the individual struts (Megson, 2005). Steel space structures which are among the most common space structures provide a greatfreedom of composition and expression as well as the possibilities to distribute the loads evenly along the individual rods and the external constraints. Due to these features, the steel space structures are among the most common structures and are used to produce complex symmetries which have lower structural weights compared to the other space structures (Trahair & Bradford,2014). In this paper, we are going to discuss space structures in details where we’ll concentrate on different forms of the space structures, the analytical tools associated with the space structures, the types of joints associated with the space structures, the behavior of the space structures during strong winds and earthquakes, and ten different constructions which can be made using the space structures. This discussion will enhance our knowledge and understanding of space structures which will make us be more informed on how we can utilize the space structures to achieve the maximum benefits from them which will help to improve our lives in a way especially when the building and the constructions fields are involved.
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SPACE STRUCTURES – LAB REPORT3The forms of space structuresThe space structures occur in different forms where the forms or the types are classified mainly based on the curvature of the structures or the frames or based on the arrangements of their elements. While classifying the space structures according to the curvatures of the frames used, the main forms of the space structures are the space plane covers structures, the barrel vaults space structures, and the spherical domes space structures (Bhatt, 1999). The space plane covers or the spatial structures are the space structures which are composed of some planar substructures. These space structures behave like plates in the sense that in case there are some deflections, the deflections on the planes are normally channeled through the horizontal bars and all the shear forces are normally supported by the diagonals of these space structures (Koenders et al., 2015, pp.101-116). To the barrel vaults space structures, they usually have simple arcs on their cross-sections, and with these space structures, the designers don’t need to use some tetrahedral modules or pyramid meant to enhance their backing (Mohammadi, Abedi, and Taghizadieh, 2012, pp.203-218). Unlike the barrel vaults space structures, the spherical domes space structures require the designers to use some tetrahedral modules or some pyramids to enhance their backing.When classifying the space structures according to the arrangement of their elements, the main forms of the space structures available are the single layer grid space structures, the double layer grid space structures, and the triple layer grid space structures. In the single layer grid spacestructures, all the elements of the space structures are located on the surface which is to be approximated (Ataca and Ciraci, 2011, pp.13303-13311). The double layer grid space structures have the elements organized in two different layers parallel to each other and the layers are
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SPACE STRUCTURES – LAB REPORT4separated by a defined distance. Each of the layers in the double layer grid space structures formsa lattice of triangles, squares, or even hexagons where the nodes the projections of the nodes in the layers may overlap or be slightly displaced from each other. The diagonal bars of these space structures connect the nodes of the layers in different directions in the space. In the triple layer grid space structures, the elements are normally placed in three different parallel layers which arealways linked by the diagonals. These space structures are always almost flat. There are some other forms of the space structures which are always not very common although they are always used but in rare cases. These forms of space structures include the hanging covers space structures, the pneumatic space structures, the pleated metallic space structures, among other forms. The designers should always make sure they choose the best of the space structures when designing different structures to make sure they establish strong and long-lasting structures which meet the required standards (Hibbler, 2012).On top of the classification methods described above, the space structures may also be classified according to the trusses used to form them. Giving consideration to the trusses, we may have the roof trusses which are commonly used as parts of the industrial building frames and the bridge trusses which are normally used in the construction of bridges. These trusses are commonly referred to as the coplanar trusses which can further be divided into three basic categories namely the simple trusses, the compound trusses, and the complex trusses. The simpletrusses are normally constructed by starting with basic triangular arrangements and then some other joints may be added to make the simple trusses take the shapes desired by the designers. Simple trusses do not consist of only triangles but may take some other shapes (Rebielak, 2014). Compound trusses are normally constructed by connecting two or more simple trusses together. Compound trusses are normally used to support the loads which act over a large span which may
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