Shell Structure

A shell is a thin-structural element used in a building composed of curved sheets of materials

dividing the interior space of the structure from its exterior. The shell elements are typically
curved and assembled into a large structure. It is made of reinforced concrete and serves both
as a structure and covering. Shell structures are self-supporting and used to cover a large
area of span without any supports of beams, columns, and walls. Its efficiency is based on its
curvature (single or double), which allows different stress paths and gives the optimum form
for transmission of many different load types.

The Term “Shell” is used to describe the structures which possess strength and rigidity due to
its THIN, NATURAL and CURVED forms such as shell of egg, a nut, human skull, and shell of
tortoise.

There are 2 types of thin shell structures:

Single curvature – is monoclastic, which can be curved in one direction and comes in the form
of barrel vaults or conoid shells. It has a curvature on 1 axis.

Double curvature – is synclastic and anticlastic which comes in the form of a sphere or
hyperboloid. It has curvature on 2 axis
The main purpose of constructing the shell structure is that it will cover a larger area of the
building.

Advantages of Shell structures

1. A light form of construction

2. Faster construction
3. An easy method of fabrication
4. Waste reduction as no requirement of fittings
5. Covers a large area
6. Aesthetic in appearance
7. Energy efficient
8. Lesser material usage

Forms of Shell Structure

Folded plate

The distinguishing features of the folded plate is the ease in forming plane surfaces. A folded
plate may be formed for about the same cost as a horizontal slab and has much less steel
and concrete for the same spans.
The principle components in a folded plate structures consist of: an inclined plates and edge
plates which must be used to stiffen the wide plates

Advantages of folded plate roofs over shell roofs are:

• Movable form work can be employed

• Formwork required is relatively simpler
• Design involves simpler calculations.

Disadvantages of folded plate roofs over shell roofs are:

• Folded plate consumes more material than shells.

• Formwork may be removed after 7 days whereas in case of shells it can be little
earlier.

Cylindrical Shell

These shells are the primary structural component of both aquatic and airborne systems.
Frames or ribs are also used to stiffen these structures.
Some examples of typical cylindrical shells include the :

• Semi-ellipse – is simply its Height or Rise (H). Unique to this arch shape is that
characteristic that at its widest dimension, at its base, the width is equal to its
height (H).

• Arch circle – this is a curve (or an arch) from the Segment of a circle.
 • Cycloid catenary – This is a curve described by a point P on a circle of
radius a rolling along x axis.

• Horseshoe form

North Light Shells

This shell construction is used to provide vast areas of north light windows for factories that
need good natural lighting. This kind of shell is typically used as a roof in the case of
factories.

Barrel Vaults

A barrel vault is a continuous vaulted form that could be semi-circular in shape, resembling
the roof of a cave, or pointing at the apex. It is usually built by a sequence of edge arches
or vaults.

Barrel vaults are perhaps the most useful of the shell structures because they can span up
to 46meters with a minimum material. They are very efficient structures because the use
the arch form to reduce stresses and thickness in the transverse direction

On one hand, the structural behavior of the vault is based on connected parallel arches,
which transmit the same effort to the supports. Therefore, the material used in these
structures have to be able to resist compressions (e.g. Stone) and the thickness is usually
higher. Furthermore, the shape of the vaults must be as similar as possible to the arch in
order to achieve the optimum structural behavior.

On the other hand, the structural behavior of the barrels shell is that it carries load
longitudinally as a beam and transversally as an arch, and therefore, the materials have to
resist both compression and tension stresses. These factors take advantage of the bars of
the reinforced concrete, because these elements can be placed where tension forces are
needed and therefore, the span to thickness ratios can be increased. Furthermore, the
shape has fewer requirements than the vaults and therefore, new curves like the ellipse or
the parabola can be used in improving the aesthetic quality of the structure.

Short Shells

It is a cylindrical shell that has a considerably large radius in comparison with its length.
Short shell consists of shell element spans between arches, arch structure, and edge beams
provided at the lowest point of the shell. In small structure, it is permissible to omit edge
beams in small structure.

Moreover, the short shell carries load in two ways; as an arch carrying load to the lower
elements. and as a curved beam to the arches. Lastly, the thickness of the shell can be quite
thin due to these properties
Domes

A dome is a structured framework that occupies an area that is somewhat square or circular.
The domes are connected to a surface formed by some curve rotating around a vertical line.
They are formed by a surface generated by a surface generated by a curve of any form
revolving about a vertical line. This surface has double curvature and the resulting structure
is much stiffer and stronger than a single curved surface, such as a cylindrical shell.

Hyperbolic Paraboloid

A Hyperbolic Paraboloid is a surface curved in two directions that can be designed as a shell
or warped lattice. Hyperbolic paraboloids are concave on one axis and convex on the other.
Shell Arches

Small shell thicknesses can be rendered much smaller than an arc if the stresses are mostly
compressive. Shells are not a very effective framework for high bending moment values.

Translation Shells

A translation shell is created by moving a vertical curve over another vertical curve.
Combination Shells

The above shell structure are basic types. So, it is possible to construct different and safer
shell structure by combining portion of the basic shell structure. Intersection shells, barrel
shell and folded plate, barrel shell and short shell, barrel shells and domes of revolution, and
barrel shells and conoids are all concrete shell combinations. So, numerous combinations
can be formed to reach the desired safety and capacity.

Applications of shell structures

The shell structure is typically found in nature as well as in classical architecture.

• Industrial structures: – silos, tanks, cooling towers, reactor vessels etc.

• Auditoriums and food courts
• Architectural special structures

Conclusion

Discussed above are different types of shell structures, advantages and applications. With
the growing modernisation of building design, these structures are being used across India.
In an upcoming series of articles, we will analyse different types of materials, forms and
their design adaptability across India.