Concept and cable-tensioning optimization of post-tensioned shells made of structural glass

Laccone F., Malomo L., Froli M., Cignoni P., Pietroni N.

conceptual design  glass structures  thin shell  fail-safe  reinforcement  post-tensioning  cables  optimization. 

Shells made of structural glass are charming objects from both the aesthetics and the engineering point of view. However, they pose two signicant challenges: the rst one is to assure adequate safety and redundancy concerning possible global collapse; the second one is to guarantee the economy for replacing collapsed components. To address both requirements, this research explores a novel concept where triangular panels of structural glass are both post-tensioned and reinforced to create 3D free-form systems. Hence, the ligree steel truss, made of edges reinforcements, is sized in performance-based perspective to bear at least the weight of all panels in the occurrence of simultaneous cracks (worst-case scenario). The panels are post-tensioned using a set of edge-aligned cables that add benecial compressive stress on the surface. The cable placement and pre-loads are optimized to minimize the tensile stress acting on the shell and match the manufacturing constraints. These shells optimize material usage by providing not only a transparent and fascinating building separation but also load-bearing capabilities. Visual and structural lightness are improved to grid shell competitors.

Source: FORM and FORCE, IASS Symposium 2019 60th Anniversary Symposium of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures Structural Membranes 2019 9th International Conference on Textile Composites and Inflatable Structures, pp. 2133–2140, Barcelona, 7-10/10/2019