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Tensile Systems
The use of different types of Tension Systems can drastically reduce the amount of material in a structure. Simple tensile systems such as King Post Trusses or Carriage Trusses can trick floor and roof beams into thinking their span is considerably shorter. Bending is an exponential function of length, therefore using one of these systems to make the flexural member think its span is shorter also decreases the amount of material required exponentially. Furthermore, steel tension members are efficient since steel is very strong in tension. When members are designed to always be in tension, buckling is no longer a design concern. When designing columns and compression members for buckling loads, members tend to get large and can require additional material to compensate for these forces. By eliminating this we are able to design slender elegant structures.
Tensile systems also allow for the use of higher strength steels that are available in cables and rods. Many standard cable grades can be five times stronger than conventional steel, further reducing the amount of material required. The market is also developing carbon rods which exceed the strength of many cable systems.
Longmont Museum and Cultural Center, Longmont, CO
Architect: OZ Architecture
Description: The entry to the museum consists of a radial floor and roof structure. The floor utilizes a three dimensional radial King Post truss. When the system was compared to a conventionally framed floor and roof structure, the system we designed was cheaper and also provided the architectural character of the space.
Wildwood Casino, Cripple Creek, CO
Architect: Semple Brown Design
Description: The primary restaurant for this casino utilizes a radial king post roof truss. The restaurant is part of a casino with the capacity of up 60,000 SF of gaming with 5 levels of parking.
David L Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Architect: Rafael Vinoly Architects
Description: At the time Chris O’Hara designed this building, it was the largest LEED Gold building in the USA and the world. In addition to the many energy and waste saving features within the building, a cable supported roof was used to reduce the steel tonnage. If the roof had been designed with conventional steel roof trusse,s the 300 ft clear span the scheme would have utilized nearly double the amount of steel.
Richman Casino, Blackhawk, CO
Architect: ArchitectureDenver
Description: This unbuilt casino uses a tension truss similar to a King Post or Carriage Truss. The primary difference is that this system uses three rod supported posts to reduce the top chords span by 4.
Harlequin Theatre, Lafayette, CO
Architect: Semple Brown Design
Description: The design of this theatre is based upon the diamond pattern of the Harlequin or Court Jester's costume from medieval times. A three dimensional kingpost system developed a reflected ceiling plan of criss-crossing tension rods, reminiscent of the pattern in the Harlequin costume.
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