Space truss dome

Details

Inventors: Richter, Donald L.;
Assignee: Temcor (Carson, CA)
Primary Examiner: Canfield; Robert
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

The basic shape of a large span dome (10) is defined by a primary network (20) of structural struts (15) which are so arranged between their junctions (16) that they fully triangulate the surface (13) of the dome. The struts throughout the network have substantially uniform cross-sectional dimensions which are defined with reference to strut loads encountered at and near the perimeter (37) of the dome. The central portion of the network is strengthened to withstand snap-through of the dome by a truss system (30) comprised of a secondary network (35) of truss members (33) which lie in a secondary surface (31) which is inside the dome and is spaced from the dome's triangulated surface. The primary (20) and secondary (35) networks are tied together by tie members (36) which extend between connections (34) of the truss members and the strut junctions (16) and which lie in the planes of webs (25) of respective struts. The assembly of the tie members to the strut junctions can be achieved by use of the same fasteners (26) which connect the struts to their junctions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed: 1.
A dome having a principal surface of desired three-dimensional curvature within a perimeter thereof and comprising: a) a principal structural grid formed by a plurality of principal structural members which are interconnected at junctions thereof to define the principal surface and to subdivide the principal surface into a plurality of nested primary triangular areas and which are of substantially uniform depth normal to the principal surface throughout the principal grid, b) a secondary structural grid comprised by secondary structural members disposed in a secondary surface which is substantially smaller in area than the principal surface, which is and spaced from and subtends at least a portion of the principal surface, which is spaced inwardly from the perimeter of the principal surface, the secondary members forming between connections thereof in the secondary surface a plurality of interconnected and un-nested secondary triangular areas corresponding in number to the number of primary triangular areas in said portion of the principal surface, each secondary area having a corner associated substantially with the midlength of a corresponding edge of its corresponding primary area, and c) a plurality of structural elements interconnecting the principal and secondary grids, the elements being related in pairs and joining each secondary grid connection to the primary grid junctions at the ends of the principal member with which the secondary grid connection is most closely associated in space.
2.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the principal structural members have webs in the plane of each of which within said portion of the principal surface there substantially lies a corresponding corner of the corresponding secondary triangular area, and the structural elements connected to each principal member lie substantially in the plane of the web of that member.
3.
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each web has an edge toward the secondary surface which terminates in a flange disposed substantially normal to the web, each junction between connected principal members includes a plate to which the flanges of those members are bolted, and the connection of the structural elements to the junctions include bolts comprising the connections of the principal members to the plates

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