I am currently undertaking a project that incorportaes a Glulam Timber Diagrid Barrel Vaulted Roof.
Has anyone here had any experience of such a form of construction that they would be willing to pass on.
The arch spans approx 38M and maed up of 4m grid primary members. These Glulam members being 585X160mm
This strucure is supported on a series of structural steel columns and braces but giving a claer span.
I can understand how it could be erected and looks as though a degree of off site modularisation could be achieved. Would be interesting to gain knowledge from anyone with first hand experience, lesson learnt etc.
Hi Andrew
Roman civil engineers knew how to build a stone arch without falsework support.
They anchored each stone back to the previous third stone with iron rods and then dropped in the keystone - then took out the rods for the next one.
Maybe our technology is not so advanced.
Best regards
Mike Testro
Thanks Mike,
That was my thinking anyway, although a design manager in the office started whittling on about modularisation and trying to build with falsework. (Non starter I think)
Hi Andrew
The best advice I can give you is to rely on the expert fabricators and erectors - this is very specialised work.
As with all space frame roofs the key is the falsework support system - be prepared for the designed drop when the support is removed.
Then the covering - it may be that the roof is not stabilised until the upper skin is fixed.
Temperature expansion should not be a factor as with steel or aluminium frames.
It will be impractical to plan for any work at lower levels until the falsework is finally removed and that won't be until M&E and finishing work in the roof zone is complete.
Lets see if the LinkedIn guys give you any better adviice.
Best regards
Mike Testro