Unlike traditional steel framing, a space truss system distributes loads in 3 dimensions for better stability with less material. When combined with prefabricated manufacturing and modular assembly, these structures reduce on-site labor and accelerate project timelines, which are the key benefits for large-scale projects. As a prefab steel building manufacturer, we've seen how special-shaped space tube trusses and custom designs can turn complex architectural designs into cost-effective and durable realities. This guide will take you through the principles, materials, design considerations, and future trends that make space truss steel structures the go-to choice for mega projects.
Introduction to space truss structures
Many people are interested in space truss steel structures, but they may not understand their internal principles. Simply put, a
space truss structure is a structural system that forms a three-dimensional space grid through interconnected rods and nodes. Unlike traditional plane trusses, this design can disperse the force more evenly in multiple directions, thereby improving the overall stability. For this reason, it is particularly suitable for buildings that require large spans and have outstanding space requirements without intermediate support columns, such as large exhibition halls or stadiums. In this structure, most of the rods only bear axial forces, which greatly reduces material costs and improves installation efficiency.
The application of space trusses can be traced back to the early 20th century. It was first created for aircraft fuselages, bridges, and other occasions that require lightweight and high-strength materials. Later, with the continuous improvement of steel manufacturing level and the gradual maturity of welding and processing technology, it was gradually introduced into large buildings, especially for public buildings that require open space and do not want too many support columns.
Achieving maximum strength & efficiency through smart material choices
The choice of materials has always been a key factor in determining the performance and cost of space trusses. In most cases, steel is the first choice for engineers because of its high strength, good toughness, and excellent durability.
Commonly used materials in space truss systems
In actual projects, engineers usually use the following types of steel:
- Hot-rolled steel: It has a strong load-bearing capacity and good processing performance. It is often used as the main truss or core load-bearing node. It is a common "skeleton" material for large venues.
- Steel pipe: It not only has a simple appearance and strong lines, but also can better disperse the force; it is very suitable for projects with high aesthetic requirements or complex geometric shapes.
- Cold-formed steel: It is lighter and relatively cheaper, suitable for use in secondary structures, such as auxiliary supports, connecting rods, etc., and is more flexible in construction and installation.
In some special projects, such as buildings that are particularly sensitive to weight or require stronger corrosion resistance, aluminum alloys or high-strength composite materials may also be used. However, these materials are usually expensive and need to be considered in combination with project requirements, budget, and other factors.
The trade-off between weight and load-bearing capacity
Engineers need to consider the "weight" and "strength" of the structure when designing, and they often need to find the most appropriate balance between them. If the weight of the structure is too large, it will not only increase the foundation cost, but also greatly increase the difficulty of transportation, hoisting, and later maintenance during construction; but if the structure is too light and the rigidity is insufficient, it is easy to deform significantly when encountering various environmental disasters, and even affect the safety of the building.
Therefore, to grasp this balance more scientifically, the industry now generally uses computer simulation technologies such as finite element analysis (FEA) to simulate the stress and deformation conditions under different conditions in advance. Through repeated calculations and comparisons, designers can continuously optimize the cross-sectional size, layout, and node design of each rod, and finally find a solution that is both safe and economical with the best performance.
Key considerations for structural performance design
Roof shape and structural form (pyramid, dome, barrel vault)
The shape of the roof not only affects the appearance of the building, but also directly determines the force path and stability. The following are several typical roof shapes and their characteristics:
- Pyramid roof: Since the geometric shape itself has a certain stability, this type of roof has good wind resistance and earthquake resistance. It is commonly seen in low-rise large buildings or venues that require concentrated force.
- Dome-shaped roof: It can cover a large area without the need for intermediate columns. The interior space is continuous and open, making it suitable for crowded places such as gymnasiums and conference centers.
- Barrel vault: This type of roof can form a continuous arc and has excellent mechanical properties. It can evenly transfer the load to both sides and is suitable for buildings that require a large depth, such as warehouses, railway stations, and hangars.
Designers usually choose the most suitable form for customers based on the building function, aesthetic requirements, and local climatic conditions to maximize space utilization and optimize structural performance.
Load distribution and geometric optimization
The load distribution of space trusses mainly includes dead load (self-weight), live load (personnel, equipment, snow, etc.), and environmental load (wind load, earthquake, high temperature, and extreme cold, etc.). The core goal of geometric optimization is to transfer these loads to the supporting structure in the shortest and most direct path.
In the geometric design stage, parametric modeling and algorithm generation technology (such as Grasshopper and Rhino, among other software) are often used to quickly iterate multiple layouts. This method enables designers to analyze hundreds of possible forms in a short time and select the best solution based on indicators such as deflection, stress, and steel consumption.
Cost-effectiveness and manufacturing planning
Balancing Cost, Performance, and Aesthetics
Large space truss projects can cost tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of yuan, and how to find the best combination of cost, performance, and aesthetics is an important issue facing managers. Excessive pursuit of aesthetics may lead to cost overruns, while excessive budget compression can easily damage performance and safety. Therefore, a reasonable solution should be continuously adjusted according to actual conditions through detailed optimization to reduce construction and maintenance costs while meeting the requirements of structural strength and safety.
Time and budget advantages brought by prefabrication
The following are the core advantages of prefabrication of space truss steel structures:
- Accelerate the project progress, complete the main construction ahead of schedule, and shorten the construction period by nearly half.
- Factory manufacturing can precisely control the quality of each rod, reducing errors and rework rates.
- Reduce the proportion of high-altitude operations on-site to reduce safety risks and construction accidents.
- Improve on-site environmental management, reduce noise, dust, traffic congestion, and impact on surrounding residents.
- Improve the controllability of the overall budget and prevent cost increases caused by temporary changes.
Prefabrication is not only an improvement in construction efficiency, but also an important symbol of the industrialization of modern construction.
Reducing on-site labor through modular assembly
Modular assembly refers to dividing the truss structure into several large modules according to design requirements, completing the assembly or semi-finished assembly in the factory, and then transporting it to the site for overall hoisting and splicing. This method can reduce the number of workers on site and the proportion of high-altitude operations, while also significantly improving construction accuracy.
Modular assembly is particularly important for projects in urban centers or with complex geographical conditions. It can quickly complete the hoisting of large pieces within a limited time, reducing the impact on municipal roads, surrounding residential areas, or sensitive ecological areas.
Compliance, safety, and sustainability standards
With the popularization of the concept of sustainable development around the world, the construction industry has put forward higher requirements for environmental protection, safety, and quality. Space truss steel structures are no exception and must strictly comply with mainstream standards, such as:
- ISO 9001 quality management system certification: ensures that every link from design, manufacturing, to construction meets quality requirements.
- EN 1090 European standard for steel structures: focuses on welding, node connections, and anti-corrosion treatment, and makes detailed provisions.
- AWS American Welding Society certification: mainly for welding operators, welding inspectors, welding processes, and procedures to ensure the quality and safety of welding.
- LEED Green Building Certification: Encourages the adoption of more environmentally friendly and efficient solutions in material selection, energy consumption, and post-maintenance.
In addition, space trusses often need to undergo multiple anti-corrosion tests to ensure that they remain safe and stable in extreme climates or long-term use.
Engineering cases and future trends
Classic Engineering Cases
The following cases demonstrate the great advantages of space trusses in complex building requirements:
- Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest): Beijing National Stadium is called "Bird's Nest" because of its unique appearance. It adopts a super-large span space truss structure, and there is no intermediate support column as a whole, so that the audience's view is completely unobstructed, reflecting the ultimate use and freedom of space. In addition, the staggered steel structure truss design not only makes the appearance more artistic, but also improves the structural stability and seismic performance, making the Bird's Nest a model of iconic sports buildings in the world.
- Singapore Changi Airport: Its dome-shaped space truss design is a masterpiece that cleverly combines functionality and aesthetics. The large area of grid-like steel structure makes the building look light and transparent, and the roof is naturally lit, with almost no need for artificial lighting during the day, reducing energy consumption; good natural ventilation can also greatly improve passenger comfort. Most importantly, this design fully reflects Singapore's high attention to sustainability, energy conservation, environmental protection, and passenger experience.
- Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center: As one of the largest single buildings in the world, the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center adopts a modular prefabricated space truss system. It realizes the column-free space of the super-large exhibition hall and meets the strict requirements of various international exhibitions for open venues. Through factory prefabrication and efficient on-site assembly, it successfully shortened the construction period to ensure that the exhibition hall was put into use as scheduled, and also improved the overall construction quality and safety.
Future development direction
In the future, space truss steel structures will place more emphasis on intelligence, digitization, and environmental protection:
- Intelligent monitoring system: Through sensors, it monitors stress, temperature, deformation, and other data in real time, and warns of possible safety hazards in advance.
- In-depth application of digital technology: Utilize BIM technology to achieve full life cycle management from design, manufacturing, to operation and maintenance, and improve collaboration efficiency and project transparency.
- Low-carbon design: Promote high-strength recyclable steel to reduce carbon emissions and achieve the global goal of carbon neutrality.
In addition, more architects regard space trusses as part of the "architectural language", directly presenting the geometric beauty of the structure itself on the building facade, creating more iconic buildings that are both artistic and functional.
Work with XTD Steel Structure to engineer space truss structures meeting your exact requirements.
At XTD Steel Structure, sustainability and efficiency are at the core of design. We are constantly innovating in the selection of high-strength materials, the design of intelligent models, and the optimization of prefabrication processes, and pursuing lighter and longer-span space truss steel structure products. Most importantly, we are committed to fully satisfying our customers' needs.
Contact us now to learn how XTD Steel Structure can make your next project a model of strength, efficiency, and sustainability. Regardless of your location, we anticipate partnering with you to explore innovative solutions in steel space frame structure engineering.
