BICOL STATE COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

SY 2021-2022

Activity 10 - Shell Structures, Pre-

Engineered Buildings and Geodesic
Structures

SUBMITTED BY
MA. FRANCIA S. CADIZ
BSA 4A

SUBMITTED TO
AR. IAN KENNETH ORASA UAP
INSTRUCTOR
Shell Structures
In building construction, a shell structure is a thin, curved plate structure shaped to
transmit applied forces by compressive, tensile, and shear stresses that act in the plane of the
surface. They are usually constructed of concrete reinforced with steel mesh.
This structure maintains its size and support load, even without a frame or solid mass
material inside. A shell is a building that is empty from inside, these shell elements are typically
curved and assembled into a large structure, they are lightweight constructions using shell
elements.
Introduction to Shell Structure
In the shell structure, a thin shell is defined as a shell with a thickness that is smaller
than its other dimensions. In the thin-shell structure, the deformation is not as large compared to
the thickness. The main difference between shell structures and plate structures is that within
the unstable state, the shell structures have curvature, unlike the plate structures which can be
flat. Membrane action in a shell structures are mainly due to plane stress, although flexural
deformation may result in secondary forces.

Types of Shell Structure

1. Cylindrical Shell
This cylindrical shells in which stationary cure called as directrix or moving curve called
generatrix is a straight line. Semi ellipse, parabola, arch circle, cycloid catenary, horse-shoe
shape is the example of some common cylindrical shells.

2. Multiple Cylindrical Shells

Multiple cylindrical shells are a series of cylindrical shells that are parallel and
transversely continuous.

3. North Light Shells

The north light shell in which two springing are provided at different levels is called the
north light shell. The provision of curves at different levels towards the north gives maximum
north-light, this type of shell is usually provided as a roof in case of factories.

4. Asymmetrical Cylindrical Shells

This asymmetrical cylindrical shell structure is not symmetrical about the crown.

5. Barrel Shells
This barrel shells is symmetrical about the crown.
6. Barrel Vaults
Barrel vaults are most useful for shell structures because of the greater span capacity of
up to 50 m with minimal material. They are very efficient structures because the arch form is
used to reduce stress and thickness in the transverse direction.

7. Short Shells and Long Shells

The number of terms has been developed to describe cylindrical shells depending upon
its span short or long.
Short shells: If the span length is short, then it is termed as short shells.
Long shells: If the span length is large in comparison with its width, the shell form is termed as
long shell.

8. Domes
A dome is a space structure that covers a more or less square or circular area. The
domes are attached to a surface generated by a curve of any form revolving about a vertical
line. When the surface has a double curvature that gives rise to a hard and strong shell
structure of snoring rather than a curved surface.

9. Intersection Shell Structure

The structural effectively of the intersection shell is dependent upon the angle of
intersection of the surface. If the angle is small, a rib fanned by adjacent elements of the original
shell is much larger than the adjacent shell on each side. And if the angle of intersection is too
large, it is called a shallow intersection, if the angle of intersection is 90, it gives a rigid rib.

10. Shell Arches

Shell arches are in the same category as small shells. If the stresses are mainly
compressive, all thicknesses can be made much smaller than an arc. Shells are not a very
efficient structure for the high value of bending moment.

11. Translation Shells

A translation shell is generated by a vertical curve sliding along another vertical curve.
Curves have different shapes such as circles, ellipse, and parabola therefore vertical segments
are all the same as opposed to a round dome in which all vertical segments differ in height. In
short, translation shell is simply a square dome in which the shape is generated by curve
moving along another curve.
Pre-Engineered Buildings
In structural engineering, a pre-engineered building (PEB) is designed by a PEB supplier
or PEB manufacturer with a single design to be fabricated using various materials and methods
to satisfy a wide range of structural and aesthetic design requirements. This is contrasted with a
building built to a design that was created specifically for that building.
Within some geographic industry sectors pre-engineered buildings are also called pre-
engineered metal buildings (PEMB) or, as is becoming increasingly common due to the reduced
amount of pre-engineering involved in custom computer-aided designs, simply engineered
metal buildings (EMB).
During the 1960s, standardized engineering designs for buildings were first marketed as
PEBs. Historically, the primary framing structure of a pre-engineered building is an assembly of
I-shaped members, often referred to as I-beams. In pre-engineered buildings, the I beams used
are usually formed by welding together steel plates to form the I section. The I beam are then
field-assembled (e.g. bolted connections) to form the entire frame of the pre-engineered
building. Some manufacturers taper the framing members (varying in web depth) according to
the local loading effects. Larger plate dimensions are used in areas of higher load effects.
Other forms of primary framing can include trusses, mill sections rather than three-plate
welded, castellated beams, etc. The choice of economic form can vary depending on factors
such as local capabilities (e.g. manufacturing, transportation, construction) and variations in
material vs. labor costs.
Typically, primary frames are 2D type frames (i.e. may be analyzed using two-
dimensional techniques). Advances in computer-aided design technology, materials and
manufacturing capabilities have assisted a growth in alternate forms of pre-engineered building
such as the tension fabric building and more sophisticated analysis (e.g. three-dimensional) as
is required by some building codes.
The adoptability of PEB in the place of Conventional Steel Building design concept
resulted in many advantages, including economy & easier fabrication. These types of building
structure can be finished internally to serve any functions that is actually help in low rise building
design. Examples of Pre-Engineered Buildings are warehouses, Canopies, Factories, Bridges
etc.

Components of PEB
Pre-Engineered Buildings consist different steel structural member which are as follows,

• Primary Frame: Primary framing of a PEB is an assembly of built-up I-Shaped steel

members & that framing consist trusses or castellated beams etc.
• Secondary Structural Elements: It is actually Cold Formed Members, which can be in
diff. shapes like “Z”, “C” etc. In general, known as “Purlins”.
• Roof & Wall Panels: Tin shades & Curtain Wall made of Glass & Roll-formed steel
sheets usually come in this category,
• Sandwich Panels: Sandwich Panel is made of three layers, in which a non-Aluminum
Core is inserted b/w two aluminum sheet.
• Other Accessories: Mezzanine floors, Bolts, Insulation, etc.
Geodesic Structures
The geodesic dome was developed by the American engineer and architect Richard
Buckminster Fuller in the late 1940s. Geodesic domes are sphere-like structures consisting of a
network of triangles which provide a self-balancing structural framework that uses minimal
materials. The word geodesic is Latin and means 'earth dividing'.
Buckminster Fuller designed the geodesic dome following World War II as part of his
experimentation to create affordable and efficient housing that could be built quickly from mass-
produced parts. The domes tend to be lightweight and easy to assemble and, in contrast to
many other structural systems, can enclose large areas without requiring internal columns.
In 1953, Buckminster Fuller designed the first commercial dome for the Ford Motor
Company headquarters in Michigan, after which he received a patent for the dome in 1954. He
also supplied a large number of domes to the US military which used them to cover radar
stations (radomes) at installations around the Arctic Circle.
Geodesic domes are efficient structures in several ways:
They are based on a network of triangles which are very stable shapes. If a force is
applied to the corner of a triangle, it will retain its form, whereas other shapes, such as
rectangles, will distort. This means that geodesic dome buildings are strong and resistant to
forces such as those from snow loads, earthquakes and wind.
The structural efficiency of geodesic domes means that they require less material than
conventional buildings.
For the volume that they enclose, geodesic domes have a much smaller surface area
than traditional 'box-shaped' buildings. This means there is a reduced area exposed to external
temperature changes and so they can be less expensive to heat and cool.
The construction of geodesic domes can be very fast, and may not require the use of
heavy equipment. This buildability is enhanced by the use of prefabricated components.
Advantages of Shell Structures
There are various advantages of Shell structures which are as follows.
• Shell structures have very high stiffness.
• Shell structures have higher strength with respect to their self-weight.
• Shell structures are used to cover a large area.
• It is very simple in design and has more strength as compared to other types of
Structures.
• Steel structures are structurally continuous and it can transfer loads in a number of
directions.
• Shell structures are attractive in appearance and mostly used for decorative purposes.
• The notes which are applied to the shell structures are carried to the ground by tensile,
shear, and compressive forces.
• The dead load in the Shell structure can be reduced by economizing the foundation and
the overall support system.

Disadvantages of Shell Structure

There are also some disadvantages of shell structures which are as follows.
• In the case of shell structures, it is not possible to construct a floor above them.
• The labor cost required for the construction of Shell structures is more.
• For the construction of the shell structures, there should be greater accuracy in the
formwork required.
• The construction of the shell structures required Skilled labor and good supervision.

Advantages of Pre-Engineered Buildings

There are many advantages of Pre-Engineered Buildings, which are as follows,
• Quality control is the main advantage as all the structural member are engineered
beforehand, standards of different codes also taken into consideration & these
components are made in factory under the supervision of Quality Control Engineer.
• Lower cost due to the saving in design, manufacturing and on-site erection cost.
• Minimizing time of construction due to the use of software for design of the structural
components.
• Low Maintenance due to use of standard quality of paints over steel members, which
increases the ability to withstand & finally the maintenance cost will be low as compare
to conventional steel building.
• Quick Erection, as all the members are Pre-Manufactured & skilled labor is used for
connections of different components.
• Warranty on PEB, mostly warranty period of 20 years given by manufactures for PEB.
Disadvantages of Pre-Engineered Buildings
Although PEB have many advantages in the field of Industrial structure but still there are some
demerits of Pre-Engineered Buildings, which are as follows,

• Rusting / Corrosion Sensitive, as if the quality of steel used or paint used for coating of
steel members is not of good quality, then it can damage the structure and thus reduces
the life of structure.
• Insulation Cost, as insulating the building to an agreeable benchmark will furthermore
add to your construction costs.
• Appearance, Steel Sections can be unattractive when left exposed.

Advantages of Geodesic Structures

Geodesic domes are growing in popularity among home buyers who want unique
structures that can stand up to harsh weather conditions and natural disasters. People also turn
to these structures because they are more energy-efficient and cost-effective than traditional
square homes.
• They resist the natural elements. The dome shape is very efficient at shedding elements
such as wind and snow. In fact, there is some evidence that these structures can even
withstand hurricane-force wind. Geodesic domes are particularly resistant to this type of
force because they have fewer flat surfaces, allowing the wind to move around the
home. In addition to withstanding powerful winds, domed homes can hold up better to
strong earthquakes. Concrete domes have even been known to survive flying debris as
large as cars.

• They are extremely energy efficient. Geodesic domes promote more efficient air
circulation and keep temperatures even throughout the structure. This can make them
two to four times more energy-efficient than traditional homes. These homes insulate
very efficiently due to their unique shape. Since light actually refracts and stays inside
the dome, these structures are able to take full advantage of solar gain, which reduces
the need for artificial lighting. For younger buyers who want more energy-efficient homes
and aren’t put off by the domed aesthetic, geodesic domes make a lot of sense.

• They are very strong. From a pure engineering perspective, geodesic domes are
superior to square homes. They are the only man-made structure that actually gets
proportionally stronger as they increase in size. They are also lighter, more structurally
sound and require fewer materials. When comprised of bio-ceramic, geodesic domes
are also highly fire-resistant.
Disadvantages of Geodesic Structures
When it comes to constructing a geodesic home, builders can expect to confront some
challenges. Chimneys can be difficult to place and, if it’s a larger home, fire escapes can be
expensive to install. It can also be very difficult to create divisions and rooms within domes
structures, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience building them.
• Since the average home is square, basic appliances, fixtures and utilities are
manufactured for right angles. If you aren’t used to building these types of homes, it can
be difficult to find off-the-shelf materials that fit the home. That said, these items are
becoming more common as geodesic dome homes continue to gain in popularity.

• In areas regularly affected by tornadoes and hurricanes, modern homeowners are

increasingly turning to geodesic domes because they hold up better to storms and high
winds. Due to the shift in construction needs, the interior design and utility options for
geodesic domes have increased substantially. Still, it takes a knowledgeable builder to
streamline the construction of a geodesic dome. If you think you might be able to take
advantage of this growing market, now is a good time to familiarize yourself with the
construction process and establish relationships with the right suppliers.

Best Building Materials for Shell Structures

Shell structure, in building construction, a thin, curved plate structure shaped to transmit
applied forces by compressive, tensile, and shear stresses that act in the plane of the surface.
• They are usually constructed of concrete reinforced with steel mesh (see shotcrete).
Shell construction began in the 1920s; the shell emerged as a major long-span concrete
structure after World War II.

• Thin parabolic shell vaults stiffened with ribs have been built with spans up to about 300
ft (90 m). More complex forms of concrete shells have been made, including hyperbolic
paraboloids, or saddle shapes, and intersecting parabolic vaults less than 0.5 in. (1.25
cm) thick. Pioneering thin-shell designers include Felix Candela and Pier Luigi Nervi.

Best Building Materials for Pre-Engineered Buildings

Several materials can be used for the external cladding of a pre-engineered metal
building system.

• Those materials include wood, tensioned fabric, masonry block, glass, concrete, and
steel sheets.

• The external cladding materials are dependent on the specific criteria delineated by the
company investing in the structure.
 • How the building will be used and where the building is being built impacts the choice of
external material.

• Engineers will consider environmental factors, use, and durability.

• The idea is that a pre-engineered building has the same appearance, design, flexibility,
function, and advantages of traditional construction, if not more so.

Best Building Materials for Geodesic Structures

The materials used for geodesic domes vary widely.
• For simple, movable structures, timber, PVC or galvanized steel frames covered with a
thin architectural membrane (such as PVC polyester or ETFE foil) can be used.

• Larger, more permanent structures such as sports stadiums have been constructed with
aluminum and steel frames covered with materials such as copper, aluminum, acrylic
and Plexiglas panels.

Examples of Shell Structures

1. TWA Flight Center Building, New York

2. The Forest Opera, Sopot Poland

3. Great Court, London

4. L'Oceanogràfic, Valencia Spain

5. Sydney Opera House, Sydney Australia

Examples of Pre-engineered Buildings
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
Examples of Geodesic Structures
1. Montreal Biosphère, Montreal Quebec

2. Spaceship Earth, Epcot

3. The Climatron greenhouse, Missouri Botanical Gardens

4. Science World, Vancouver Canada

5. Long Island Green Dome