Space Truss Structures: Typological Characteristics and Principal Construction Systems in Italy

Abstract

In the field of civil and industrial buildings and, particularly, dealing with coverings of wide areas, space truss structures are spreading more and more. Modern tridimensional steel systems are made up to the modular aggregation of standardized structural single or multiple elements, coordinated in space in accordance with rational geometric criteria, mass produced on an industrial scale and designed for a fine and functional architecture. Concerning these structures, the paper presents basic qualitative and performance characteristics, main typologies for the applications and, lastly, some among the most significant structural systems patented by Italian production.

Optimization of Large-Scale 3-D Trusses Using Evolution Strategies and Neural Networks

“…These type of structures is very common in engineering practice in order to cover long and/or wide span and column-free spaces such as stadiums, exhibition halls, airplane hangars, etc. The performance of these type of structures has been investigated in terms of economy, structural safety, aesthetic quality and optimum design in a number of papers [15][16][17][18][19]. Space truss structures usually have the topology of single or multi-layered flat or curved grids that can be easily constructed in practice.…”