Architecture and Construction Building Systems
1. recap graphic statics
Graphic statics = connects forces with geometry, visualizes structural performance as a basis for
design decisions
• Grammar of structural systems
• Fundamental basis of equilibrium (=evenwicht)
• Reading and analysing structures
structure = system of physical components (like cables, arches, domes, trusses, beams, walls,
columns…) organised to take all loads of a building safely to the ground and to always ensure stability
load = external forces
• Permanent loads
o Dead loads: self-weight of the permanent load carrying and not load carrying parts
• Not permanent:
o Live loads: self-weight of the people & furniture
o Snow load: self-weight of the predicted snow
o Wind load: load of the predicted wind
o Other loads: earthquake, impacts, collisions…
1. forces
• Vectors
o Free vector: orientation/direction & intensity (length of vector)
o Bound vector (force): orientation/direction, intensity, point of action & line of action
, • Equilibrium:
o Translation: no equilibrium, because no reaction force
o Rotation: no equilibrium, because lines of action not matching
• Inner forces:
o Reaction of external forces (loads): tension
o Reaction of external forces (loads): compression
2. cables
• Cable with one load:
o Geometry is defined by span / and rising height f
o Equilibrium requires closed force diagram
o Complete Cremona diagram: including all subsystems -> joining force diagrams
3. design:
• Required area:
• Variation of load and geometry:
o Cable with one load: more force means bigger Cremona diagram and the cable bends
harder
o Mixed loads: other than a V-shape
4. arches
• Dual structures: arches are inverted cables
• Cable arch dualiy: stability problems caused by asymmetric q
, 6. arch-cables
• Symmetric load in 1 point (R)
• Distribution cable/arch: variation of the load over the cable and the arch (100%-0%, 50%-
50%, 25%-75%...)
• Arch cable cantilevers: distributed load
• Arch-cables on two supports
Transition single span to cantilevers: l’/l=0,35
8. trusses
• Simple arch-cable combinations:
• Node equilibrium starting from support:
• Inner forces: node equilibrium, symmetrical load case gives symmetrical Cremona diagram:
1. recap graphic statics
Graphic statics = connects forces with geometry, visualizes structural performance as a basis for
design decisions
• Grammar of structural systems
• Fundamental basis of equilibrium (=evenwicht)
• Reading and analysing structures
structure = system of physical components (like cables, arches, domes, trusses, beams, walls,
columns…) organised to take all loads of a building safely to the ground and to always ensure stability
load = external forces
• Permanent loads
o Dead loads: self-weight of the permanent load carrying and not load carrying parts
• Not permanent:
o Live loads: self-weight of the people & furniture
o Snow load: self-weight of the predicted snow
o Wind load: load of the predicted wind
o Other loads: earthquake, impacts, collisions…
1. forces
• Vectors
o Free vector: orientation/direction & intensity (length of vector)
o Bound vector (force): orientation/direction, intensity, point of action & line of action
, • Equilibrium:
o Translation: no equilibrium, because no reaction force
o Rotation: no equilibrium, because lines of action not matching
• Inner forces:
o Reaction of external forces (loads): tension
o Reaction of external forces (loads): compression
2. cables
• Cable with one load:
o Geometry is defined by span / and rising height f
o Equilibrium requires closed force diagram
o Complete Cremona diagram: including all subsystems -> joining force diagrams
3. design:
• Required area:
• Variation of load and geometry:
o Cable with one load: more force means bigger Cremona diagram and the cable bends
harder
o Mixed loads: other than a V-shape
4. arches
• Dual structures: arches are inverted cables
• Cable arch dualiy: stability problems caused by asymmetric q
, 6. arch-cables
• Symmetric load in 1 point (R)
• Distribution cable/arch: variation of the load over the cable and the arch (100%-0%, 50%-
50%, 25%-75%...)
• Arch cable cantilevers: distributed load
• Arch-cables on two supports
Transition single span to cantilevers: l’/l=0,35
8. trusses
• Simple arch-cable combinations:
• Node equilibrium starting from support:
• Inner forces: node equilibrium, symmetrical load case gives symmetrical Cremona diagram:
