STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

6.1.3.3 Space Frame/Space Truss
Table 6-5 Space frame/space truss attributes.
Space Frame / Space Truss: Summary of Predominant
Attributes
A unique aesthetic of exposed double-layer grid structure
Least transparent of the structure types
Complex structural geometries and resulting surface geometries are possible
Grid module can constrain design
Mature technology, but few system providers
span/depth = 15 to 20
Typically very rigid and lightweight structures with low deflections
Most efficient when working as multidirectional spanning structures (spanning directions
must be close to the same dimension)
Fabrication is a specialty with relatively few producers
As a simple half-octahedral geometry, parity with simple truss
Morphology
Space frames and space trusses are
the same except for the member
connections; space frame structures
are moment connected (as in welded
connections restrained from rotating),
space trusses are pin connected (as
in unrestrained connections free to
Figure 6.3 Biosphere 2; a large glass-clad space frame
rotate). (G G Schierle 2008, pers.
enclosure (Biosphere 2 2006).
comm., 29 Jan.) These structure types are typically comprised of repeating geometric unit
cells that combine to form a 3-dimensional truss network. The most common is the so-called
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