Glass-Covered Grid-Shells

Abstract

With his knowledge of spatial geometry, shell theory and manufacturing processes, the structural engineer is able to further develop light and transparent glass roofs. They are attractive from an architectural as well as climatical point of view. The most favourable basis for a translucent roof is the double-curved reticulated spatial structure with triangular mesh. Such structure however, especially if directly glazed without intermediate glass frames, presents three problems. A solution is presented in this paper.