SPACE STRUCTURES

CASE STUDY HALL OF NATIONS

(PRAGATI MAIDAN)

SPACE
STRUCTURES

A Space Frame or Space Structure is a truss-like,lightweight

rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts,in a
geometric pattern.space frames can be used to span large areas
with few interior supports.
It is a three dimensional structure in which assembled linear
elements are arranged to transfer the load and takes a form of
a flat surface or curved surface.It is designed with no
intermediate columns to create large open area.
TYPES OF SPACE FRAME:

Curvature classification:
Space plane covers
Barrel vaults
Spherical domes

Classification by arrangement
of elements:
Single layer grid
Double layer grid
Triple layer grid

ARCHITECT : RAJ REWAL

LOCATION : NEW DELHI
PROJECT YEAR : 1970
BUILDING : EXHIBITION,PUBLIC
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM : SPACE FRAME CONSTRUCTION
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE : MODERN

Designed as space frame in

reinforced concrete; the first of
its kind in India, and perhaps in
the world; the 'Hall of Nations'
provides an uninterrupted
exhibition area of approximately
6,700 sqm in a 82m x 82m x 27m
high truncated pyramid
supported on eight points.
Designed to reflect symbolically
and technologically indias
important place in the
modern,industrializing
community of nations.

 Built for the Trade Fair Authority of India at pragati maidan , New
Delhi in 1982.
The complex was planned, designed and constructed within a
period of 18 months.
The main pavilion of the hall of nations has a clear span of 78 m
and a height vary from 3 m to 21m , thereby providing a vast
capacity for items to be exhibited from books to bulldozers.
It is supported on 8 hollow circular shaft like columns of 3.4m
diameter placed at the vertices of an unequal but symmetrical
octagon .
The complex has a covered area of 9,450 sqm .
The structure is cast-in-situ RCC and founded on 408 driven castin-situ concrete piles of 50cm diameter.
Approximately 4,380 cubic of structural concrete of various
grades and 750mt of reinforcing steel have been used in the
construction.

The hall of industries is a combination of 4 smaller pavilions by

ramps enclosing a central area for open air exhibits, utilities,
toilets, and other services are located under the ramps.
Although each of the halls was initially conceived as a full pyramid
the truncated form was adopted in order to avoid unnecessary
constructions.
Each of the four 'Halls of Industries' is
similar in design and is 44m x 44 m x
16m high.
Free standing coffered mezzanine
floors cantilevering out of cylindrical
shafts provide additional exhibition
area in each hall.
The 'Halls of Nations' is supported on
pile foundations tied together with
post tensioned plinth beams
The Pragati maidan' rest on spread
footings tied together with high
tensile steel bars.

The plan of these pavilions is a square with chamfered corners,

providing eight anchoring points.
A special 9 member joint was evolved for precast construction but
the builder preferred in-situ construction. The joint was modified to
suit the adopted technique.

HALL OF
INDUSTRIES
HALL OF
NATIONS

Free standing coffered mezzanine

floors cantilevering out of cylindrical
shafts provide additional exhibition
area in each hall.

Octahedra measuring 5m from joint to joint

were employed as the basic 3D unit of the
space frame ,which rests on 8 points
around the essentially
square planned and allows 11m wide
openings
between
An effective
systemthe
of supports.
environmental
control inside the building was another
outcome of the 3D structure , as solid
triangular panels at regular intervals
provided sun screens a modern
equivalent , according to some authors
of the traditional jali in Indian
architecture .