Steve Safken

5/2004

 

 

 

 

Design of Small Buildings Using Compressive Materials

 

Materials lacking tensile strength such as masonry, concrete and adobe have been used historically for buildings and residences. Today wood and steel are used to span roofs and provide much more floor space at a relatively high environmental cost. Ancient dome and vault design and construction relies on stacking the material in compression. Historical builders achieved a substantial level of sophistication in design and construction by trial and error, simple mathematics and contemplation. Today, with the aid of computer optimization and simulation more efficient designs are possible. These designs extend the size and minimize materials required of buildings using compressive materials.

This presentation will include four parts. The introduction will include a brief discussion of compressive materials for building, and their qualities, and construction techniques. Following is the primary theory of arches, vaults, and domes as compressive structures. Next is a description of how to improve domes using a computer optimization. Finally included are some ideas on their integration into interesting and beautiful residences and small buildings.