BUILDING MATERIAL & CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

• MATERIAL,CONSTRUCTION AND SKILL NEED IN,

• SHELL STRUCTURE
• TENSILE STRUCTURE
• SPACE FRAMES
SHELL STRUCTURE

Materials :

• Reinforced concrete
• Steel
• Aluminium alloys
• Plastics
• Glass timber

• The material most suited for construction of shell structure is concrete because it is a
highly plastic material when first mixed with water that can take up any shape on
centering or inside framework.
• Small sections of reinforcing bars can readily be bent to follow the curvature of shells.
• Once the cement has set and the concrete has hardened the R.C.C. membrane or slab
acts as a strong, rigid shell which serves as both structure and covering the building.
Spruce Goose dome, Long Beach, USA

Architect: R. Duell and Associates

• Aluminum cover plate with silicone seal

• Aluminum gusset plates, bolted to struts
• Aluminum batten secure silicone gaskets
• Triangular aluminum panels
• Wide-flange aluminum struts
• Stainless steel bolts
Timber-steel free form grid shell
Architect: Thomas Herzog

Wood grid shell with PTFE membrane The

theme pavilion advanced the philosophy:
• Wood is the only renewable material
• Requires the least energy for production
• Use of wood maintains healthy forests
Sydney Opera House
The structure of the building is made from
reinforced concrete and the facades from
polarized glass with steel frames.

The shells are covered by white and cream

mate tiles made in Sweden

In the interiors the predominant materials

are pink granite
Kresge Auditorium • In the dome
construction has been
used reinforced concrete
and copper plates. On
the facades glass curtain
walls were placed.

• Cover created with

sheets of limestone
mixed with liquid acrylic
polymer, getting a shell
of a “pure white” (In 1963
the thermal motions had left
their mark on the building,
numerous cracks and
delamination, turning the
original roof unusable. Square
sheets of lead were installed.
Water infiltration through the
lining of lead precipitated
severe deterioration due to
freeze-thaw cycle. In 1979,
the concrete and reinforcing
beams near each edge
replaced mainstay.)
 TENSILE STRUCTURE
• All fabrics will stretch under load although some exhibit different characteristics as a
function of time. A structural fabric would not creep under load once it has reached full
pretension.
• Each roll of fabric is tested in a biaxial rig to measure the stretch in both thread
directions at load ratios derived from the form generation computer model.
• These figures would then be used as compensation percentages to be factored into the
patterning software. The canopy is manufactured undersize so that when installed to its
final dimensions it tensions out correctly.
• For external Use there are two main choices PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) coated polyester
cloth and PTFE (Poly Tetra Fluro Ethlene) (Teflon) coated glass cloth.
• The PVC coating contains additives that include UV stabilisers, fire retardants, colouring
and antifungicides.
• For Internal Use: – Mesh Fabrics Cottons are most economical and are available in a
wide range of colours. Due to their susceptibility to staining and shrinkage they are
ideally suited for short term use or where a softer and more natural texture is required.
• PVC coated glass mesh is very durable and acts like a theatre gauze or sunscreen.
• Polyurethane coated glass cloth which has benefits of durability and similar
appearance to cotton.
• Silicon coated glass cloth is being used for its high fire resistance and low relative
fore toxicity but tends to attract dirt.
 PVC POLYESTER
• Most commonly used in the
construction of tensile structures
is PVC coated polyester.
PVC polyester is chosen not
only for its excellent strength,
flexibility and translucency, but
also for its impressive design life
of 20+ years.
• PVC polyester is mainly used for beautifully shaped tensile fabric
structures, however its wide range of colours and suitability for
printing also makes it ideal for banners. Because PVC polyester can
be folded, it’s suitable for both temporary and retractable structures.
• The PVC polyester coating includes UV stabilisers, fire retardant
additives, colouring and anti-fungicides and it can be fully recycled –
making this a well-rounded fabric.
• PVC polyester is used on structures all over the world and in every
environment. Applications include: covered walkways, entrance
features, outdoor classrooms, play areas, stadiums, event spaces,
brise soleil.
 PTFE COATED GLASS

• PTFE coated glass has become established as one of the highest quality
architectural membranes for tensile fabric structures. The structural
element is a cloth woven from very fine glass filaments. The coating,
based on Teflon, was developed by DuPont in the 1960’s and has been
used on structures since the early 1970’s.
• PTFE glass is a low maintenance fabric which is perfect for large
complex structures.
 ETHYLENE TETRA FLUORO ETHYLENE (ETFE)

• Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene (ETFE) is a

clear polymer that is extruded into a thin
film (or foil) which is used to form either a
single layer membrane or multi-layer
cushions supported in an aluminium
perimeter extrusion.
• Lasting 35+ years, ETFE is built to last. ETFE can be clear, tinted with colour or fritted
where a pattern is printed on the surface to reduce light transmission. It is unaffected by
UV light, atmospheric pollution and other forms of environmental weathering.
• The most common usage of ETFE Foil is multi-layered cushions. Cushions are kept
continually pressurised by a small inflation unit which maintains the pressure around 200-
300Pa giving it structural stability, and insulation. Power consumption for the inflation unit
is between 60-100w.
• Alternatively, single layer ETFE does not require any inflation, making it a simple,
economical solution for creating bright covered spaces.
 STRETCH
FABRIC • Stretch Fabric is a printable
internal synthetic fibre with a
sheen finish known for its
exceptional elasticity. Its tensile
strength allows it to be stretched
over frames to create an endless
number of shapes and designs.
• Available in a variety of colours,
Stretch Fabric can be patterned
and tensioned between walls,
adding volume, colour and
interest to any space. Because
Stretch fabric is lightweight, it
• Excellent for light diffusion and acoustics. can connect and be configured in
• a myriad
For spaces with glass atriums or glazed walls, Stretch of ways.
Fabric can be used to
diffuse and reduce direct sunlight. This is a cost effective way of keeping a
space cool and reducing glare. With spaces where acoustics is important, such
as atriums or spaces with high ceilings, Stretch Fabric helps reduce echo and
‘soften’ the space.
• Easy to Maintain.
• Stretch Fabric is easy to maintain. It can be cleaned by simply putting it in a
washing machine. The fire-retardant option requires dry cleaning.
• Applications include: interior decoration, branding, solar control.
SPACE FRAMES

Materials :
• Steel
• aluminum

• TYPES OF TUBES
• Circular hollow section
• Rectangular hollow section

• The material most suited for construction of spaceframes is steel because it sustain
more load and carry tones of weight.
• Such units can be easily transported and rapidly assembled on site by semi-skilled labor.
MEMBERS ARE FIXED USING CONNECTORS
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONNECTORS ARE:

•NODUS CONNECTOR
•TRIODETIC CONNECTOR
•TUBALL NODE CONNECTOR
•HEMISPHERICAL DOME CONNECTOR

1. NODUS CONNECTOR:
• 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.
1. NODUS CONNECTOR:
• 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.
2. TRIODETIC CONNECTOR

• Consists of a hub, usually an aluminium

extrusion, with slots or key ways.
3. TUBALL NODE CONNECTOR

• Hollow sphere made of spheroidal graphite.

• End of the circular hollow section member to be

connected is fitted at its ends by welding Connection
from inside the cup is done using bolt and nut.
4. HEMISPHERICAL DOME CONNECTOR

•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.
•Two types of joint: pentagonal joint and hexagonal joint.
Skills required :

• Manufacturer : The space frame must be manufactured by a firm having a minimum of

ten years of experience in the design, engineering, fabrication and construction of metal
space frames that are of similar size and complexity to the one for this project.

•Installer : The installer of the space frame must be trained by the manufacturer. All
installation work must proceed in accordance to manufacturer’s written instructions and
following recommendations of manufacturer’s qualified site consultant.