Teaching Lattice Space Structures at Rutgers University, USA

The one semester course on the design of lattice space structures, with particular emphasis on double-layer grids and braced domes, is given under the course title of Advanced Structural Design, to MS and Ph.D. students. The course is concerned primarily with conceptual and preliminary design but some detailed design is also covered. The syllabus selection represents a compromise. On the one hand, it was considered desirable to give students a general understanding of space structures and their behaviour, including tension structures, shells, membranes etc. On the other hand, it was felt that it is not enough for graduate engineering students to be involved at the conceptual level only and that some more detailed design down to estimating member sizes and joint details is necessary. It was therefore decided to limit the scope to lattice structures and concentrate on two representative types of structures double-layer grids and braced domes (with extension to barrel vaults then being straightforward). Some general principles of structural design in general and of other types of space structures, particularly tension structures (cable networks and membranes) are covered in the introductory and concluding lectures. The course is conducted at two parallel levels, in the form of formal lectures, on the one hand, and students' presentation and informal discussion of their assignments and final project, on the other. There are also some laboratory sessions to enable students to practice the implementation of formex algebra, using the Formian software. The philosophy behind this format is that structural design can only be learned through the guided