Types and Forms of Shell Structures

Types And Forms Of Shell Structures
Αν Ι δ ε α Β ο ο κ Φ ο ρ ∆ ε σ ι γ ν ε ρ σ
BY
Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum
Gathering & Meshing by
Mohammad Abbadi
You Can visit Research Pages from here : Research Page
INTRODUCTION
Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

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The purpose of this book is to provide sketches and descriptions of many
types of shell structures to aid the architect or engineer in the selection of
a structure for a particular use. No claim is made for completeness.
Drawings have been used rather than photographs, first because of the
limited number of photographs available, and second, because there is
always a reluctance on the part of the architect to use something already
built because it would seem like copying. Only the structural features are
shown in the sketches and details such as windows, gutters, fascia
members, etcetera, have been omitted. The criterion has always been to
picture the shell after the concrete has been complete but before the
brick, stone, windows, or roofing is placed. Most of the nomenclature is
standard in the literature but some of it was devised by the writer to fit
gaps for which satisfactory terms were not available. In illustrating shell
types, many obvious structures have been omitted because they are so
similar to the basic types. The criterion for showing examples has in all
cases been its usefulness as an architectural or structural unit of
construction.

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Content
CHAPTER I - FOLDED PLATES
• BASIC ELEMENTS
• THREE SEGMENT FOLDED PLATE
• Z SHELL
• WALLS CONTINUOUS WITH SHELL
• CANOPIES
• TAPERED FOLDED PLATES
• EDGE SUPPORTED FOLDED PLATES
• FOLDED PLATE TRUSS
• FOLDED PLATE RIGID FRAME
CHAPTER II - CYLINDRICAL BARREL VAULTS
CHAPTER III - SHORT SHELLS
• BASIC ELEMENTS OF SHORT SHELLS
• PURE ARCH AND SHELL
• MASSIVE ABUTMENTS
• RIGID FRAMES
• CANTILEVER ABUTMENTS
CHAPTER IV - DOMES OF REVOLUTION
• SPHERE SEGMENT - COLUMN SUPPORTS
• HALF SPHERE - VERTICAL WALLS
• TYPICAL PROFILES - SINGLE DOMES
• DOMES - SQUARE IN PLAN
• MULTIPLE DOMES
• TRANSLATION DOMES
CHAPTER V - FOLDED PLATE DOMES

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CHAPTER VI - INTERSECTION SHELLS
• INTERSECTION SHELL - SQUARE IN PLAN SHALLOW INTERSECTION
• INTERSECTION - POLYGONAL PLAN, SHALLOW INTERSECTION
• GROINED VAULT - SQUARE IN PLAN
• GROINED VAULT - POLYGONAL PLAN
• INTERSECTION SHELL - CROSS FORM
• INTERSECTION SHELL - FOLDED PLATE
CHAPTER VII - WARPED SURFACES
• CONOID
• HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOIDAL SURFACE
• HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOID - GABLED EDGE MEMBERS
• UMBRELLA SHELLS
• HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOIDAL SADDLE DOME
• HP FLOWER DOME
• STEEP HYPERBOLIC PARABOLID
• TRUMPET SHELL
• THE GROINED VAULT
• NEW FORMS FOR WARPED SURFACES
CHAPTER VIII - COMBINATIONS OF SHELLS
• DOME AND BARREL VAULT
• FOLDED PLATE AND BARREL VAULT
• FOLDED PLATE AND CONE
• BARREL SHELL - DOMED ENDS
• FOLDED PLATE - TAPERED ENDS
• SPACE ACTION OF ARCHES AND VAULTS
• SHELL SLAB
• BARREL AND SLAB

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• FOLDED PLATE AND SLA
CHAPTER IX - SHELL ARCHES
• FOLDED PLATE ARCH
• BARREL ARCH
CHAPTER I - FOLDED PLATES
It seems appropriate to start the presentation of examples of shapes and

forms for shell structures with the folded plate because it is the simplest of
the shell structures.
The distinguishing feature of the folded plate is the ease in forming plane
surfaces. Therefore, they are more adaptable to smaller areas than curved
surfaces which require multiple use of forms for maximum economy. 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. Folded plates
are not adapted to as wide bay spacings as barrel vaults. For widths of
plate over, say, 12 feet, the thickness of the folded plate must be thicker
than for a barrel vault. Some advantage may be gained by increasing the
thickness of the slab just at the valleys so it will act as a haunched beam
and as an I section plate girder.

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BASIC ELEMENTS
The principle components in a folded plate structure are illustrated in the

sketch above. They consist of, 1) the inclined plates, 2) edge plates which
must be used to stiffen the wide plates, 3) stiffeners1 to carry the loads to
the supports and to hold the plates in line, and 4) columns to support the
structure in the air. A strip across a folded plate is called a slab element
because the plate is designed as a slab in that direction. The span of the
structure is the greater distance between columns and the bay width is
the distance between similar structural units. The structure above is a two
segment folded plate. If several units were placed side by side, the edge
plates should be omitted except for the first and last plate. If the edge
plate is not omitted on inside edges, the form should be called a two
segment folded plate with a common edge plate.
The structure above may have a simple span, as shown, or multiple spans
of varying length, or the folded plate may cantilever from the supports
without a stiffener at the end.
1
stiffeners : A steel angle or plate attached to a slender beam to prevent its
buckling by increasing its stiffness.

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THREE SEGMENT FOLDED PLATE
This sketch shows a folded plate structure with three segments for each
barrel. The end stiffeners are rigid frames rather than deep girders as in
the last example. The forces from the reactions of the sloping plates on
these rigid frames will be quire large and at an outside column they will
not be balanced by thrusts from the adjacent plates. The size of the
frames may be reduced by using a steel tie between the tops of the
columns which can be concealed in the fenestration.
The dimensions of the plates are dependent on both the width of the
barrel and on the span. The depth of the shell should be about 0.10 times
the span and the maximum slope of a plate should not be greater than 40
degrees. For example, assume for the above structure that the span is 60
feet and the bay width is 24 feet. The depth of the shell should be about 6
feet and the horizontal width of each plate with a three segment plate
should be about 8 feet. The slope of the plates is 6/8, which is about 37
degrees and is satisfactory. The thickness of the plates could be about 3 ½
inches.

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Z SHELL
Each of the units above has one large sloping plate and two edge plates
arranged with space between the units for windows. This form has been
called a Z shell and is similar to the louver used for window ventilation.
The architectural effect is very dramatic if the structure can be shown by a
cantilever projected out beyond the support. The windows are normally
open to the north but most of the light is actually reflected south light. To
increase this effect, the roof surface can be painted with aluminum so light
from the sun is reflected through the windows to the ceiling and the
windows need not be very large. Adjacent units should be tied together by
structural window mullions. In constructing the Z shell, movable forms
need only be lowered a short vertical distance if construction is started on
the right and proceeds to the left.
The Z shell is not an efficient structural shape since it is discontinuous and

its effective depth is much less than the actual vertical depth. Therefore,
the spans are limited in comparison to the plates having a large number of
units side by side.

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WALLS CONTINUOUS WITH SHELL
In this structure the walls are of tilt-up concrete construction; concrete is

cast flat on the floor and raised into place by cranes. The walls are
designed to be continuous with the roof plates. Tilt-up walls usually are
joined by poured-in-place columns. In this design, columns are not
necessary at the junction of the individual side wall panels because the
walls are braced at the top. Only a simple grouted key slot is provided.
The tilt-up panels can serve as their own foundation walls so only a
continuous footing pad is used with a notch to receive the tilt-up panel.
Dock height interior floors can be constructed by filling the interior of the
building up with dirt to the required height. The tilt-up walls can be
designed for this lateral load because they are held at the top by the shell
and act as vertical beams rather than as cantilever retaining.

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CANOPIES
A folded plate structure for a small canopy at the entrance of a building is

shown. This folded plate has four segments. A two segment structure is
not desirable because it has very little torsional resistance. This instability
can be demonstrated by a paper model having the ends of the model
glued to vertical pieces of cardboard, acting as stiffening members. If it is
absolutely necessary to have a two element system, a torsion member
can be placed in the valley which will carry the unbalanced loads.
Stiffeners can often be hidden on the top surface so they are not in
evidence and the shell will appear to spring from the vertical column. At
the wall of the building there should also be a stiffener hidden in the wall
construction. Provision should be made for drainage of the center valley.

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TAPERED FOLDED PLATES
Folded plate structures may be built with tapered elements and only one
of the many possible combinations is shown here. Another possibility is to
place the smaller depths all at one end so that the entire structure forms a
circular ring. The height of the shells at the center of the span is the
critical dimension for bending strength. Therefore, the structure is not
very efficient and not suitable for long spans because of the excess height
required for the large ends. Another weak element in this design is the
transfer of shear from the small end of the triangular plate to the large
end. If a large number of units are used in each span, the transfer of loads
may be difficult.
A folded plate may be used for walls as a thin structural element by

casting each plate flat on the floor and grouting the joints full of concrete.
A wall of this type can be made much thinner than a flat wall.

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EDGE SUPPORTED FOLDED PLATES
The usual upturned edge plate can be eliminated and the roof structure
can be made to appear very thin if the edge plate is replaced by a series
of columns. The slab between columns must be designed as a beam and it
may be convenient to extend the main roof slab as a cantilever canopy.
The beam element that carries the load of the roof between columns will
then be wider and windows under the slab will have the same function as
in the previous examples of folded plates. Note the vertical columns in the
end walls at the crown of the gable. These take the reactions of the plates
and the horizontal ties may be eliminated. Wind loads are taken by rigid
frame action in the columns and stiffeners.

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FOLDED PLATE TRUSS
The term "folded plate truss" is intended to indicate the structural action
of this structure. There are horizontal ties across the width only at the
ends of the building and the structure acts as an edge supported shell as
shown in the previous example. The thrusts from the triangular crossed
arches are carried lengthwise to the ends. The top chord of the inclined
truss is formed by the ridge member. The bottom chords are the ties at
the base of the side gables and the diagonals are formed by the sloping
valleys at the intersection of the gables and the triangular plates. The top
longitudinal compression member may require some additional thickness
to form a compression member of sufficient size to carry the compression
force.
This is truly a space structure and its structural action is not as obvious
and, therefore, the architectural appearance is mote subtle that the usual
shell structure.

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FOLDED PLATE RIGID FRAME
An arch with straight segments is sometimes called a rigid frame. It is not

as efficient as the curved arch because the bending moments are greater.
Ties across the plates are required at the knees and at the crown in order
to distribute the forces at the ends of each segment.

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CHAPTER II - CYLINDRICAL BARREL VAULTS
Barrel vaults are perhaps the most useful of the shell structures because
they can span upt o 150 feet with a minimum of material. They are very
efficient structures because the use the arch form to reduce stresses and
thicknesses in the transverse direction. Barrel vaults are essentially deep
concrete beams with very thin web members and may be designed as
such by the ordinary methods of reinforced concrete. The curve of the
cross section of the barrel is usually a circle. However, any other form
maybe used, such as the ellipse, a parabola, or a funicular curve which fits
the thrust line of the applied load. Each curve has its particular structural
and esthetic qualities.
A number of terms have been developed to describe cylindrical shells. If

the span is large in comparison to the width, the form is called a long
shell. If the length is short, it is called a short shell. An arbitrary ratio for
long shells is a span/radius ratio of 5. A short shell has a span/radius ration
less than 1 and shells between these limits are called intermediate shells.
Short shells are a different structural type and are described in a later
chapter.

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CHAPTER III - SHORT SHELLS
In the prvious chapter, barrel vaults were described having a length of

barrel which is long in comparison to the width. In this chapter, the
structure known as the short shell will be described. This structure is a
cylindrical shell having a large radius in comparison to the length. The two
types of shells have uses which are altogether different and the
architectural and engineering problems require a different approach.
There are, of course, borderline cases where it is difficult to distinguish
between the long an short shell.
In structures making use of the short shell, the principle structural element
is the stiffener, usually a reinforced concrete arch, although steel arches
or trusses have been used. The short shell serves only a minor role,
therefore, the emphasis in this chapter then will be on the arch shape.
Many structures built with short shells, such a large hangars and
auditoriums, could have been built with little more dead load by using a
ribbed slab or other lightweight concrete framing system rather than the
shell. The architecture of short shells, therefor, must be based on the
exploitation of the shape of the arch rather than on the shell itself.

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BASIC ELEMENTS OF SHORT SHELLS
This sketch illustrates some of the principle parts of a short shell structure:
1) the shell spanning between arches, and 2) the arch structure. In this
structure, the edge beams are provided at the lowest point of the shell
and the arch is placed on top of the shell so that forms may be moved
through the barrel. In small structures, the edge beam can be omitted if
the shell is thickened. The curve of the shell is determined by the proper
shape of the arch and may be a circle for small structures or may conform
to the thrust line of the arch for long span structures.
The minimum shell thickness should be at the top in the center of the
span. At the arch, the shell thickness is increased slightly for local
stresses. The thickness increases toward the springing line of the arch and
if not supported by an edge beam, the thickness here should be based on
the thickness for a slab spanning the same distance. The edge beams act
like the folded plate structures described in the first chapter.

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PURE ARCH AND SHELL
The classic simplicity of this structure may be used with startling effect.
There are only two structural elements and these are clearly expressed so
that their function is evident. Obviously, if the shells are obscured by the
walls necessary to enclose this space, much of the effect is lost. However,
window walls would be in keeping with the spirit of the design and can be
made to follow the curve of the arch.
If this structure is to be used as a canopy, the obvious curve of the arch is

a ellipse because the arches can spring almost vertically from the ground
and the slanting member will not be as great a hazard to people's heads.
The curve requiring the least material would be the thrust line, or funicular
curve, for the loads on the structure. This form would have considerable
curvature at the top but would be practically straight from the edge of the
shell to the ground. The larger the arch span, the greater the saving of
concrete and reinforcing by the use of a funicular curve.

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MASSIVE ABUTMENTS
The abutments to the arch in this structure have been mad in the form of
an inverted U rigid frame. If the abutments are made heavy and rigid, then
the arch may be lighter so it may be more economical to use the large
mass of concrete at the lower elevation to save concrete in the arches. In
a monumental structure, such as an auditorium, the side spaces can be
used as archways for access to the seating area.
Instead of the U frame, which is subjected to very heavy bending

moments, a triangular frame may be used with the apex at the springing
of the arch. The structural members of this abutment can be quire thin
because they follow the thrust line of the forces better than does the U
frame.
An architectural problem of the short shell structure is the proper design

of the end walls. On a long span structure there will be large blank areas
that require careful architectural treatment to make the structure
pleasing.

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RIGID FRAMES
Short shells may be used with concrete rigid frames as the principle
structural element. The rigid frame without a horizontal tie at the low point
of the shell is suitable only for short spans because of the massive
proportions required for the knees. It is not necessary to have the spans of
all the rigid frames equal, and the bending moments in the frames may be
reduced if shorter side spans are used.
The ribs are shown in this sketch and are placed below the shell. To save
the cost in the forming, it may be better to place the ribs above the shell
so they may be moved with very little decentering.
Skylights may be used in a short shell and they may be continuous

transversely if they are placed in every other span so the shell on each
side of the skylight cantilevers out from the adjacent span. Rigid frames
are usually built with tie rods connecting the base of the columns,
especially if soil conditions will not permit lateral loads on the soil
material.

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CANTILEVER ABUTMENTS
The span of the arch may be reduced and the depth and thickness may be
made smaller if the support of the arch is placed at the end of a beam
cantilever from the wall of the building. This design provides space under
the cantilevers for seating by using area that would otherwise be required
for the arch ribs.
The design of this structure requires a balance between the height of the
arch and the span so the thrust line will be located in the optimum
position.
This structure is most suitable for a large monumental auditorium

structure rather than a building where economy is the principle
consideration. The large volume of concrete and reinforcing steel in the
abutment would not be required of the abutment could follow the thrust
line.

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CHAPTER IV - DOMES OF REVOLUTION
A dome is a space structure covering a more or less square or circular

area. The best known example is the dome of revolution, and it is one of
the earliest of the shell structures. Excellent examples are still in existence
that were built in Roman times. They are formed 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. The simples dome
of revolution is a portion of a sphere. However, other curves are also
satisfactory, such as the ellipse, the parabola, other conic sections, or
random curves.
Typical profiles for domes are shown later in the chapter and there are an
infinite variety of possible shapes, each suitable for a particular purpose.
Parts of domes of revolution, square or polygonal in plan with portions of
the shell removed, are also considered in this chapter as domes of
revolution. Their structural action is much more complex than the dome
circular in plan.

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SPHERE SEGMENT - COLUMN SUPPORTS
If a dome is built as less than a half sphere, a tension ring of steel bars,
plates, or wires is required at the base to carry the thrusts of the shell. In
this case, the ring has been made big enough so that it assists in
distributing the reaction of the columns into the dome. The direct stresses
in the shell are mostly compressive in this structure and are so small that
the stress calculations are hardly necessary. There are bending stresses in
the shell wall due to restraint of the thrust ring and to change in
temperature. Therefore, the thickness of the shell is increased in the
vicinity of the thrust ring. Otherwise, the shell thickness is a minimum and
may be 2 1/2 to 3 inches for spans up to 150 ft.
Due to the double curvature of domes, buckling is seldom a factor in the

design. Domes have been built with a thickness of 6 inches for a span of
about 300 feet. With long spans, however, walking on the roof is like
walking on a giant balloon because of the spring action of the shell.

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HALF SPHERE - VERTICAL WALLS
A half sphere for a dome of revolution does not require a thrust ring at the
base so it can be placed on vertical walls and made continuous with the
walls. This design is used for tanks because the roof becomes a part of the
tank. The vertical portion of the sphere is not difficult to construct if
pneumatically applied shotcrete or a similar process is used.
The structure shown above with arched openings an a plastic dome on the
crown has a rather oriental feeling. Some inspired architect will probably
use it in the future by means of openings or windows, or in some fresh and
unusual way.

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One of the most serious problems in the architecture of domes is
acoustics. The reflections of sound tend to come to a focus a single points.
In a domed ceiling, the sound may reverberate as many as twenty times
unless there is acoustical treatment or unless there is equipment or
broken surfaces to break up the sound. This problem should always be
taken into account in the design of domed structures.
TYPICAL PROFILES - SINGLE DOMES
Rather than show each on of these shapes as a separate drawing, it was

thought convenient to show only the cross sections.
The ellipse shown in (a) provides a dome with a low rise and a vertical
tangent at the support so that a separate thrust ring is not required. This
form may have esthetic advantages over the circle but the vertical
element requires top forms or placing of the concrete by the shotcrete
method.
In (b) a cone is used as a dome. This form does not have as much
curvature as the sphere and, therefore, the stresses and deflections may
be higher. Also, a heavier thrust ring is necessary for the same height of
shell.
The curve in (c) illustrates the principle that a dome of revolution may be
formed by the rotation of any curve about a vertical axis. The radius of the
curve need not be on that axis.
The last example (d) is a dome formed by a segment of a circle for which
the center of the circle is not on the axis of rotation and a dimple is
created at the top. A vertical column may be used to support the center of
the dome at the low point if the span is very long.

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DOMES - SQUARE IN PLAN
This structure is a spherical dome with portions sliced off to form a square
or rectangle. Most areas to be covered are rectangular so a circular dome
is not always a good solution to the planning requirements.
This dome is supported by four rigid frames and would only be suitable for
small spans because the frames would get quire large. For long spans, it is
necessary to place a tie between the knees of the frame. These ties can
be made a part of the window mullions if it is desirable to conceal them.

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Stresses in the shell are direct compression (membrane) stresses except
across the corner where there are direct tensile forces due to the outward
spread of the forces. The arches, or rigid frames, pick up the shell forces
by shears parallel to the arches which are zero at the top and maximum at
the bottom. There is no component of force in the shell perpendicular to
the arches.
MULTIPLE DOMES
In this example the dome is rectangular and is continuous with the

adjacent domes. The edges of the dome are supported by tied arches or
bowstring trusses. If windows are needed in these arches, the mullions
may be made to serve as vertical hangers for the bottom chords of the
arch.

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This shell can be classed as a dome of revolution since the shell is part of
a sphere (which is a surface of revolution). However, this surface may also
be a translation surface formed by a circle or other curve moving along a
line. For a low rise, the translation surface is very little different from a
sphere but is much easier to form because all the parallel elements have
the same curvature.
In constructing this shell, each one of the dome elements is an

independent structural unit so the forms may be moved without shoring
all or part of the dome already cast. The shell thickness of this type of
dome does not need to be greater than a circular dome except at the
triangular corners. Membrane action ceases to exist and the corner should
be designed as a slab.
TRANSLATION DOMES
This structure looks very much like the Square Dome shown previously
except the shape is generated by an entirely different method. A
translation shell is generated by a vertical curve sliding along another
vertical curve. The curves can be circles, elipses, or parabolas. Therefore
the vertical sections are all identical as opposed to a circular dome in
which all vertical sections vary in height. This is a big advantage in

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construction of the formwork. This method can provide a recangular dome
with the same height of arch on all sides, thus making a rectangular dome
feasible.
Most of the load is carried by the side arches with some coming directly to
the corners. The sketch shows a tie at the springing of the arches, but
usually this will be covered by the walls or window mullions. Such shells
are suitable for quite long spans with some interior lighting furnished by
skylights in the shell.
Barrel shells, folded plates, and shell arches are all special cases of
translation shells.
CHAPTER V - FOLDED PLATE DOMES
In this category are included all domes made with plane slabs and plates.
There are many variations and only a few of them can be shown here.
Domes may be constructed with small angles between the plates or with
large angles between plates and the structural action may be considerably
different for each type.
The obvious advantage of the folded plate dome is that the surfaces are
easier to form because they are flat. On the other hand, for slab spans
over 16 ft, the shell wall is thicker than a curved surface because bending
must be considered. The acoustical properties of a structure with plane
surfaces are much better since the sound rays do not come to focus. This
characteristic may be enough to make the folded plate dome superior to
the curved dome for use in an auditorium.
The structural design of folded plate domes follows that of folded plate
barrels. Slab elements are designed first and loads are carried to the fold
lines. These forces are then carried by direct compressive stresses by the
fold lines acting as struts in a space structure.

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CHAPTER VI - INTERSECTION SHELLS
The previous shells have all been basic types: the folded plate, the
cylindrical barrel shell, the dome of revolution, and the folded plate
domes. The next category is made up by combining portions of the
previous types arranged to form more stable combinations than the
individual elements alone. The most appropriate name is "intersection
shell" because the surfaces that produce the shell appear to meet at an
intersection. Any of the basic types may be used in this manner but the
barrel shell is the most familiar and useful.
The structural efficiency of the intersection shell depends on the angle of

the intersection of the surfaces. If the angle is small (called here for
descriptive purposes, sharp), then a natural rib is formed by the adjacent
elements of the basic shells which is much stiffer than the adjacent shells
on each side. An itersection for which the angle is very large is called here
a shallow intersection. An intersection of 90 degrees is the optimum value
because it gives a stiff rib. On large structures with shallow intersections,

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massive ribs may be necessary which are very evident and detract from
the light appearance.

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INTERSECTION SHELL - SQUARE IN PLAN SHALLOW INTERSECTION
This structure is a dome formed by using triangular pieces of a cylindrical

shell arranged in the form of a square. The drawing, however, conveys
more than the description.
The word "shallow" has been used to indicate that the angle between the
components is rather small, especially if the rise of the shell is small. With
four sides, however, the ribs formed by the intersection should provide an
adequate structural member. It is the best type of dome to cover a square
area and maintain a level parapet around the building. The structural
action is essentially that of a short shell. Loads are carried by the cross
ribs formed by the intersection and by the stiffening element created by
the edge beam. The bottom of the shell requires tensile reinforcement as
in a short shell.
This structure can be inverted and supported from a central column

similar to the "umbrella shell" described in the chapter on warped
surfaces.

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INTERSECTION - POLYGONAL PLAN, SHALLOW INTERSECTION
This form is suitable for a dome of large span which must be nearly
circular in plan. If more than six sides are used, the rib formed by the shell
gets rather shallow so a rib is added above the shell surface. Columns are
shown in this sketch at the center of each panel rather than at the ribs.
This would be suitable only for a small structure since it produces
additional bending in the lowest part of the shell. As in other types of
domes, a skylight may be placed at the crown of the dome. A thrust ring
must be added to take the forces in the ribs. Windows may be placed in
the shell except at the lowest points.

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GROINED VAULT - SQUARE IN PLAN
The groined vault is an intersection shell composed of four triangular

pieces of cylindrical shells, arranged in a cross form so that there are
arches on each of the sides. This is one of the most ancient of masonry
arch structures and still used for underground water reservoirs of concrete
without any reinforcing.
The usual vault is a continuous structure but only a single unit is shown
here. The structure obtains its rigidity by the large angle between the shell
components at the intersections which creates a very strong rib.
The size of these structures is almost unlimited because the form is

inherently very strong and is stiffened by six complete arches. In order to
take advantage of the rigs, it is necessary to have the center of the
abutments at the center of the effective rib. Otherwise, an additional
heavy rib is required which impairs the appearance of the groined vault.

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GROINED VAULT - POLYGONAL PLAN
This structure is similar to the previous groined vault, square in plan,

except that there are five triangular cylindrical elements instead of four.
The shells which form the dome all have axes perpendicular to the vertical
axis. Again, an excellent structural rib is formed by the intersection.
Arched stiffening ribs are required around the outside of the structure and
these ribs exert thrusts at their abutments. Therefore, either a steel tie is
required at this level (it can be hidden by the window), or if the area must
be open, thrust abutments can be used. There are, of course, many
possible variations on the structure sketched here. If six sides are used, a
continuous series of shells my be constructed and units of this type could
alternate with those having a shallow intersection.

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INTERSECTION SHELL - CROSS FORM
Four cylindrical barrels intersect to form a central dome. The structure is

supported by four columns at the corners of the intersection so that part
of the barrel cantilevers from the central dome. Provision must be made
for thrusts from the barrels and the central dome at the column. There are
several alternates: 1) the columns may be made very heavy, 2) short
lengths of walls in an angle shape may be used at the corners instead of
individual columns, 3) diagonal members may be placed in each of the
walls, or 4) ties may be place between tops of columns. The latter solution
might be unsightly if the interior of the building should be clear.
Shell thicknesses for this structure should correspond to those used for
barrel shells. The cantilever span of the barrels should not be made too
large to take the bending forces.
The architectural advantage of this structure is that it appears to float in

the air. Therefore, windows should be located so that this illusion is
preserved.

Reserved
INTERSECTION SHELL - FOLDED PLATE
A two element folded plate is shown here as an intersection shell and is

similar to the previous example. Almost all the combinations used for
curved shells may be used for folded plates, the resulting forms are
almost unlimited. In the above sketch, a cross form is used. The columns
may be place so that there is no column at the corner and the central
dome is suspended from four cantilevers. However, it is better to put the
column in the corner so that the central intersection may be used as the
stiffening element. The resulting thrusts can be carried by diagonal braces
in the plane of the outside walls and may be concealed by the wall
construction. The same effect is achieved by a solid concrete wall in each
corner. Ties around the barrel would be very unsightly in this structure.

Reserved
CHAPTER VII - WARPED SURFACES
Warped surfaces have a great advantage for shell structures because they
may be formed from straight form boards even though they are surfaces
of double curvature. There are two types which are most useful: the
conoid, which, as its name suggests, is a portion of a cone, and the
hyperbolic paraboloid, a name for a particular mathematical surface. This
type of shell structure can be built to what appears to be the ultimate in
lightness of construction, minimum reinforcing and ease of moving forms.
Stresses in the hyperbolic paraboloid shell are almost entirely membrane

(direct tension and compression), and all forces are delivered as shear
parallel to the stiffening ribs. The shell thickness in structures built by
Candela in Mexico, is on and one-half inches except for slight extra
thickness at the intersection of the surfaces. This dimension is based on a
cover of one centimeter on each side of two layers of bars and not an any
structural requirement for strength. In this country, using No. 3 bars, (3/8
inch diameter), and a cover of ¾ inches, a minimum thickness of 2 ¼
inches is required.

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CONOID
A conoidal surface, as shown in the sketch above, is formed by drawing

straight lines between a curve such as a circle and a straight line. It is a
ruled surface because it can be formed by straight lines. A cylinder and a
cone also are ruled surfaces but a sphere is not in this category. In the
above cases, the shell is supported by a wall or a beam at the left and by
an arch at the right.
The appearance of the roof of the typical steel bow string truss building
can be reproduced in a concrete thin shell construction by using short
shells for the middle bays and conoids for the ends.
This structure is suitable for a large entrance canopy. The horizontal line
at the rear can be the second floor level, the curved arch the entrance to
the canopy.

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HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOIDAL SURFACE
The hyperbolic paraboloid surface is so useful for shell structures that it is

important to describe the method of constructing the surface. It is formed
in the following manner: 1) Lines OA and OB are level and at right angles
to each other, 2) Lines AC and C are also level and are shown above and
dotted, 3) Point C* is directly below point C, 4) Mark off equal intervals on
line OB and divide line AC* into the same number of increments (but of
slightly greater length). Connect intervals on line OB with those on line
AC* with straight lines, 5) Repeat for OA and BC*, 6) The surface formed
by this network is a hyperbolic paraboloidal surface.
In practice, lines OA and OB may not be level and at right angles to each
other and point C* may be above C. Also, only part of the surface may be
used, so that the boundaries are not along OA, OB, BX* and AC*.

Reserved
Note that a diagonal from A to B has a sag which is in the shape of a
tension catenary. The diagonal OC* (not drawn above) has a
corresponding arch shape.
HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOID - GABLED EDGE MEMBERS
Four rectangular units of the surface are used with this structure and are
supported by gabled rigid frames at the outside edges. The ridges at the
top, formed by the intersection of the surfaces, are also edge members of
the individual panels. These ribs may require additional area which may
be either on the top of the shell or may be placed below by constructing
the form with a drop.
The stresses in this shell, if the rise of the shell is low in comparison to the
span, are direct tension across the diagonals which sag, and direct
compression across diagonals which are arched. The shell delivers forces
to the ribs that are parallel to the rib.
A tie is shown connecting the knees of the rigid frame. The thrusts are
quite high on the edge members. The member sizes must be quite large if
the tie is omitted. The open space in the gables may be used for windows.
The structure may be built continuously with units side by side to cover a
large area.

Reserved
UMBRELLA SHELLS
Four of the rectangular hyperbolic paraboloidal surfaces may be arranged

so that the outer edge of the shell is level and the low point is at the
center where it is supported by a column. It is necessary to provide
drainage for rain at the low point through a pipe in the column. A row of
these units may be placed side by side and tilted so that a clerestory is
formed between the rows, or a skylight may be provided by leaving a
space between each unit. Individual glass blocks are sometimes placed in
the shell to provide lighting. These shells may be diamond shaped in plan
rather than rectangular.

Reserved
HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOIDAL SADDLE DOME
Dome shaped structures of large span may be made from combinations of

hyperbolic paraboloids, as sketched above. They may be square,
rectangular, or diamond shaped. The shell depends for its strength on one
of the corners being raised relative to the others. Therefore, this shape
produces an enclosure with large tapered windows on the side. The
thrusts in the edge members become very large and these members
should be terminated at the ground in a thrust abutment, or a steel tie
should be provided between corners.
In addition, another support is necessary on one of the ribs, preferably at

one of the corners. Window mullions, if they are at the rib, should be made
structural columns to prevent relative movement between the rib and the
window.

Reserved
HP FLOWER DOME
This structure is called a flower dome as being the best description of the
appearance. It consists of four of the hyperbolic paraboloid dome units as
described on the previous page with the highest point at the middle.
However, the lower outside edges and stiffeners have been trimmed in a
circle so the units resemble petals of a flower, and the structure is circular
in plan.
There are many combinations of these types of hyperbolic paraboloidal

shapes possible and the architectural combinations are almost infinite.
The most important thing as far as the structure is concerned is that the
be a system of valid structures that carry the loads. In some cases the
shell must take bending stresses and the membrane stress theory is no
longer valid. However, the bending stresses may be no larger than in a
barrel shell structure.

Reserved
STEEP HYPERBOLIC PARABOLID
This type of warped surface shell utilizes steeply pitched surfaces. Each
panel is arranged so that one corner is out of the plane of the other three
corners. Ribs are formed between adjacent units and additional ribs are
required at the outer edges of the structure. A church using hyperbolic
paraboloids was built by Felix Candela in Mexico City, and some of the
surfaces are nearly vertical. No top forms were used for the concrete. A
network of reinforcing held the concrete to the form. In cases where four
panels came in at a low point, columns were used to support the structure.

Reserved
TRUMPET SHELL
Hyperbolic paraboloids may be formed by using portions of the basic

surface that was illustrated previously. In the above shell, the edges are
parabolic arches and all the forming is made with straight lines running
from equa-distant points on parabolas. The arch rib at the ends must be of
sufficient strength to carry the principle loads.
On account of its double curvature, this shell may be made much less
thick than the equivalent short shell. The stresses are almost entirely
tension or compression.
Another variant is the trumpet intersection shell where crossed vaults are
used rather than a single vault. This structure is shown on the next page.

Reserved
THE GROINED VAULT
A vault can be constructed from parts of four trumpet shells, as shown in

the sketch. It may be built without ribs because the curvature of the edges
makes the shell sufficiently stiffer and the intersection of the surfaces
creates two rigid crossed arches which carry the loads to the supports.
Again, this structure is formed with straight lines even though there is
considerable curvature to the final surface.
A very dramatic effect can be obtained by continuing the shell beyond the
edges shown in the sketch.

Reserved
NEW FORMS FOR WARPED SURFACES
An infinite variety of forms and structures can be produced using warped

surfaces. There are two useful approaches:
1) Instead of a rectangular or diamond grid, use a grid for which the lines
are not parallel. The effective depth of some portions of the shell can be
increased so that the shell is considerably stronger.
2) Make small models of surfaces, cut them apart and put them back
together in new forms which obtain the desired esthetic and functional
result and at the same time are satisfactory from the structural point of
view. If the form has valid structural elements such as beams and arches
which are properly supported, then the structure will be satisfactory.

Reserved
CHAPTER VIII - COMBINATIONS OF SHELLS
Combinations of shells are useful and lend variety to the other shapes and
forms. The number of combinations is practically unlimited so that only a
few may be shown here. The first step will be to list all of the combinations
previously described and indicate which types can be combined. The basic
types of shells were previously classified as: 1) folded plates and domes,
2) barrel shells, 3) short shells, 4) domes of revolution, and 5) warped
surfaces. The intersection shell has been omitted since it is really a
combination. Warped surfaces do not combine very well with other types,
particularly the folded plate so they will not be considered in
combinations.
The combinations possible from the above list are: 1) barrel shells and
folded plates, 2) barrel shells and short shells, 3) barrel shells and domes
of revolution, 4) barrel shells and conoids, 5) folded plates and short
shells, 6) folded plates and domes of revolution, 7) folded plates and
conoids, 8) short shells and domes of revolution, 9) short shells and
conoids, and 10) domes of revolution and conoids.

Reserved
DOME AND BARREL VAULT
In the structure shown above the side of the square dome suggests the
shape of a barrel vault. These are really independent structures since the
structural elements are all formed before the attachment has been made
and could be cut apart without destroying the structure.
Because of the form of the plan, this structure suggests a church or other
auditorium with a large central area and adjacent seating.
Vaults can be attached to any of the four sides to produce a T shape or a

cross shaped building and the wings may be of various lengths to suit the
seating arrangement. The ties across the sides of the dome can be
eliminated by L shaped walls acting as thrust abutments.

Reserved
FOLDED PLATE AND BARREL VAULT
In this structure, a folded plate structure is combined with a barrel vault.

For the same width of element, the transverse bending moments in the
folded plates are usually larger than the barrel vault so it is important to
keep the width of the plates so the slab will not be thick. The form is not
especially suitable for long spans since the structural efficiency of the
folded plate is not very great. However, it does provide a chance to
develop an unusual form.
A very interesting combination is the folded plate Z shell with the north
light shell by making the upper end of the Z a smooth curve and the lower
end a folded plate.

Reserved
FOLDED PLATE AND CONE
The cone on the ends of the folded plate finishes off an otherwise angular
structure with a curved façade and might have some architectural
applications where a bay window effect is required. The cone can hardly
be said to have enough stiffness to replace the rib that is otherwise
required at the columns. This cone acts like a curved folded plate rather
than as a dome.
A similar structure is a dome of revolution used on the end of a curved

barrel shell to provide a circular rotunda.

Reserved
BARREL SHELL - DOMED ENDS
It was a little difficult to say exactly where the above type should be
placed in this classification of shells. Finally it was included in this chapter
on the theory that it was really a combination of types. The folded plate
with tapered ends was included for the same reason.
Tapered ends have the advantage that the eave line can be kept the same
all around the building. Less material is required because the stiffener is in
domed ends. The amount of formwork is probably less but the forms
cannot be moved lengthwise of the shell and must be lowered the full
depth of the barrel.
A plane surface can be used instead of the curve at the end. The thickness
would be greater because the bending moments are larger in the plate
than in the domed shell. However, it would probably not be thicker than
the vertical wall type stiffener often used at the ends of barrel shells.

Reserved
FOLDED PLATE - TAPERED ENDS
This structure is a combination of a folded plate and a folded plate dome.

The taper acts as a stiffener and transfers the thrust of the inclined plates
to the columns. It has many of the same advantages and disadvantages of
the barrel shell with dome ends shown on the previous page.
The outer form of this structure is similar to the hipped roof used for house
construction and it is conceivable that folded plates might be used for an
inexpensive structure for mass produced houses.

Reserved
SPACE ACTION OF ARCHES AND VAULTS
This structure consists of two intersection shell domes made from parts of
cones. The edges of the domes are supported by ribs acting as arches.
The thrusts from these arches are transferred to horizontal girders which,
in turn, carry the load to horizontal ties at each end of the building. The
horizontal girders also serve as slabs over the side aisles. Two rows of
columns are required to support each of these slabs.
This type of space structure is very useful for church buildings because the
arches can spring from a higher level and cross ties are not needed except
at the ends of the building.

Reserved
SHELL SLAB
This structure is a combination of a dome of revolution and a plate. The

low rise dome in the center of an otherwise orthodox flat plate will have
shell action at the center of the pane; and plate action along the column
lines. This should result in some savings in both steel and concrete. The
flat plate elements should be prestressed so that the thrust of the dome
can be fully utilized. The reduction in concrete should result in smaller
column sizes for multistory buildings. The thickness of the plate at the
columns can be made greater than for the ordinary flat plate structure.

Reserved
BARREL AND SLAB
This shell is a combination of a barrel shell and a slab. The slab must be of
sufficient thickness to carry the required bending moment and shear at
the end of the span. The small columns shown on the outside edges are
for support of the edges only; otherwise, there are no inside columns for
this structure. The barrels also must be of sufficient depth at the center of
the span for the required bending moment. Since this is half of the depth
at the ends, it is evident that the spans possible with this construction are
not very great. This structure would be very suitable when high windows
were required to the north and a cantilever slab for sun protection to the
south. Then the structural characteristics would be fully utilized.

Reserved
FOLDED PLATE AND SLA
It is intended in this structure to have a center row of columns so that the

greatest depth is at the point of maximum moment and the shear and
bending moment at the outside edges are low. A stiffener will be required
at the center row of columns. However, the slab acts as its own stiffener.
The slab thickness might be somewhat thicker than the shell but as soon
as the total depth of the shell became sufficient to resist the stresses, the
thickness could be reduced.

Reserved
CHAPTER IX - SHELL ARCHES
Folded plates and cylindrical barrel shells are essentially beams. The same
cross sectional shapes can be used for arches and a new set of forms,
having different structural properties, is obtained. It was thought
worthwhile to illustrate them separately in this chapter rather than include
them in the basic shapes. Hyperbolic paraboloidal surfaces can also be
used to form these arches, the virtue being that they can be formed by
straight lines.
Shell arches are somewhat in the same category as short shells in that the
shell action is subservient to the arch action. All the thicknesses can be
made quite small of an arch is used because the stresses will be
principally compression. The curve of the arch has to be generally a
funicular form, that is, it should fit the thrust line of the applied loads.
Shells are not very efficient structures if the bending moments are high,
as in the folded plate rigid frame.
There are types of shells that fit in several categories. The hyperbolic
paraboloidal dome is really a shell arch.

Reserved
FOLDED PLATE ARCH
This structure is suitable for quite long spans and forms for the concrete
can be used many times because each unit can be made self-supporting.
All of the different section shapes of folded plates are possible with this
type of structure. The Z shape can be used to provide north light.
As in the folded plate shapes, an edge plate is required for the outside
member. Placing of concrete on the steep slope at the springing of the
arches may be a problem unless blown-on concrete is used or the lower
portion of the shell may be precast on the ground and lifted into place.

Reserved
BARREL ARCH
This shape is similar to the folded plate shell arch except that cross
sectional elements are curved instead of being made with plane surfaces.
The surface is more difficult to form but the widths of the individual
elements may be made greater than for the folded plate shape. Arches of
very long span are possible because the bending moments in an arch are
much less than in a beam of comparable span. Any number of different
shapes may be used, such as the corrugated shape or the north ligh Lazy
S shape. Lighting may be obtained by using skylights. The shearing forces
are not very large in an arch so larger holes may be used than for a barrel
shell.

Reserved

Types and Forms of Shell Structures

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Types And Forms Of Shell Structures

Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum

Gathering & Meshing by

You Can visit Research Pages from here : Research Page

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

CHAPTER I - FOLDED PLATES

• THREE SEGMENT FOLDED PLATE

• WALLS CONTINUOUS WITH SHELL

• TAPERED FOLDED PLATES

• EDGE SUPPORTED FOLDED PLATES

• FOLDED PLATE TRUSS

• FOLDED PLATE RIGID FRAME

CHAPTER II - CYLINDRICAL BARREL VAULTS

CHAPTER III - SHORT SHELLS

• BASIC ELEMENTS OF SHORT SHELLS

• PURE ARCH AND SHELL

CHAPTER IV - DOMES OF REVOLUTION

• SPHERE SEGMENT - COLUMN SUPPORTS

• HALF SPHERE - VERTICAL WALLS

• TYPICAL PROFILES - SINGLE DOMES

• DOMES - SQUARE IN PLAN

CHAPTER V - FOLDED PLATE DOMES

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

• INTERSECTION SHELL - SQUARE IN PLAN SHALLOW INTERSECTION

• INTERSECTION - POLYGONAL PLAN, SHALLOW INTERSECTION

• GROINED VAULT - SQUARE IN PLAN

• GROINED VAULT - POLYGONAL PLAN

• INTERSECTION SHELL - CROSS FORM

• INTERSECTION SHELL - FOLDED PLATE

CHAPTER VII - WARPED SURFACES

• HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOIDAL SURFACE

• HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOID - GABLED EDGE MEMBERS

• HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOIDAL SADDLE DOME

• STEEP HYPERBOLIC PARABOLID

• THE GROINED VAULT

• NEW FORMS FOR WARPED SURFACES

CHAPTER VIII - COMBINATIONS OF SHELLS

• DOME AND BARREL VAULT

• FOLDED PLATE AND BARREL VAULT

• FOLDED PLATE AND CONE

• BARREL SHELL - DOMED ENDS

• FOLDED PLATE - TAPERED ENDS

• SPACE ACTION OF ARCHES AND VAULTS

• BARREL AND SLAB

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

CHAPTER IX - SHELL ARCHES

• FOLDED PLATE ARCH

CHAPTER I - FOLDED PLATES

It seems appropriate to start the presentation of examples of shapes and

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

The principle components in a folded plate structure are illustrated in the

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

The Z shell is not an efficient structural shape since it is discontinuous and

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

In this structure the walls are of tilt-up concrete construction; concrete is

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

A folded plate structure for a small canopy at the entrance of a building is

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights

A folded plate may be used for walls as a thin structural element by

Copyright © 1997 Milo S. Ketchum & Mark A. Ketchum, All Rights