Harris, R; Romer, J; Kelly, O and Johnson, S (2003) Design and construction of the downland gridshell. Building Research & Information, 31(6), pp. 427-454. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
A gridshell is a structure that gains its strength and stiffness through its double curvature configuration. Its advantages are a minimum use of materials, structural efficiency and the creation of a large volume, as well as the potential for quick and cost-effective construction. However, few gridshells have been built due to a lack of knowledge and data. The process of creating the Downland Gridshell, as a specialist museum workshop completed in the spring of 2002, is a case study of successful collaboration and innovation in architecture, engineering and construction led by a multidisciplinary team of practitioners. This gridshell structure was composed of a double layer of mats comprising four layers of thin timber laths. These were harnessed together as a flat mat and then formed into a three-dimensional structure by a carefully orchestrated lowering of each supporting scaffolding prop, thereby harnessing gravity to pull the mat into shape. Many innovations are described in detail: team working, risk sharing, multidisciplinary design, structural modelling, the creation of new structural components, cladding, and construction processes including the sequence and techniques of gridshell forming. Advances made in this project have added to the knowledge of gridshell behaviour, construction and cost, thereby making the design and construction of future timber gridshells a more viable option.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | alternative technology; construction process; design; dynamic structural analysis; gridshell; sustainability; timber; timber engineering |
| Index terms: | workshop, dynamic structural analysis, scaffolding, efficiency, configuration, collaboration, alternative technology, design and construction, option, practitioner, cladding, case study, multidisciplinary team, construction process, structural modelling |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, decision analysis, factor and component analysis, contractual arrangements, management, building construction, sociology, building materials, systems engineering, analytical methods, structural engineering, operations management, practitioner, construction type, performance management |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Site Management, Design Practice, Research Practice, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, Procurement, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here