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Special Structures: Past, Present, and Future

by Richard Bradshaw,
David Campbell,
Mousa Gargari,
Amir Mirmiran,
Patrick Tripeny,



Part of: Perspectives in Civil Engineering: Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the American Society of Civil Engineers

Abstract:

Special structures are landmarks and testimonials to the achievements of the structural engineering profession. They are true three-dimensional representations of our equilibrium equations and affirmations of our analytical techniques, design standards and construction practices. They include many types of structures, such as: space frames or grids; cable-and-strut and tensegrity; air-supported or air-inflated; self-erecting and deployable; cable net; tension membrane; lightweight geodesic domes; folded plates; and thin shells. This work celebrates the ASCE's sesquicentennial by providing a historical perspective on how special structures have evolved, their state-of-practice in the dawn of the 21st century, and a projection of their potential trends and evolution into the future.

Subject Headings: Cables | Space frames | Engineering profession | Tension members | Shell structures | Tensile structures | Structural engineering

 

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