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Gridshells


Gridshells are shell structures made from linear members such as tubes or solid members and are clad with fabric or glass. The members may be continuous, passing above and below each other at the nodes, or discontinuous with bolted or welded connections.
 
Research has concentrated on the field of numerical geometric definition and the analysis of buckling behaviour using large rotations or a new type of spline element combined with Cosserat theory to avoid the need for rotational degrees of freedom.
 
The group was responsible for the geometric definition and buckling analysis of the gridshell over the Great Court of the British Museum (architects Foster and Partners, engineers Buro Happold, steel and glass contractor Waagner Biro) and of the Weald and Downland Gridshell (architects Edward Cullinan Archiects, engineers Buro Happold, carpenters Green Oak Carpentry)
 

 
Great Court roof, British MuseumMannheim gridshell

 
  | Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering