SHELL ROOF CONSTRUCTION

Shell roof construction is a type of construction that utilizes a thin, curved surface,

typically made of concrete or steel, to create a roof that allows for large open spaces

without the need for extensive support beams or columns. It was developed in the early

20th century by engineers and architects who sought to create a new type of roof that

would be both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.

The construction process for a shell roof typically involves forming a framework of

reinforcement steel, which is then covered with concrete or steel panels that are shaped

and curved to create the desired shape of the roof. Several layers of steel reinforcement

may be added to increase the strength of the roof, depending on the size and shape of

the structure.

One of the primary advantages of shell roof construction is that it provides a large,

uninterrupted area of space without the need for support beams or columns. This

makes it popular for use in large public buildings such as sports arenas, museums, and

concert halls. Additionally, the curved shape of the roof allows for natural light to enter

the space, creating a bright and airy environment.

There are several different types of shell roof construction, each with its unique

advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types include:

Dome roof: A dome-shaped roof that is often used in religious and cultural buildings.

Hyperbolic paraboloid roof: A roof with a double-curved surface that creates a unique,

undulating shape.

Folded plate roof: A roof that is made up of flat plates that are folded and joined

together to form a curved shape.

SOURCE: www.chat-gpt.org
Shell roofs have been proved to be very useful for covering the large structures. RCC shell roofs
are becoming very popular these days. A shell structure is a thin curved membrane or slab
usually made up of reinforced concrete, which can function both as a roof covering and
structure. Shell roofs typically composed of concrete panels curved, cylindrically or spherically
to achieve greater strength.

Shell roof is basically the modification of a pitched roof and covers large areas of the building.
Moreover, shell roof is three-dimensional structures consisting of thin membrane slabs, curved
in one or more directions which transfer the loads on points of support, i.e. columns, beams,
walls etc. Shell roofs are built with several materials such as in situ reinforced concrete, timber,
steel sheets, ceramics, glass, plastics, hard board, lattice and composite structure etc.

Shell roofs are used for covering large span structures with a single storey, e.g assembly halls, recreation
centers, theatres, factories, research labs etc. A shell roof is commonly used in public building because
shell roof is aesthetically pleasing. When the inside of the building is required to be open without any
walls or pillars then the shell roof is very useful than flat or even pitched roof. The shells roofs are lighter
in weight and save reinforcing steel and concrete.

Singly-curved shell and doubly-curved shell are the types of shell roofs. The thickness of singly-
curved shells should not be less than 5 cm. Double curved shells are structurally more efficient
than single curved shells. However, preparation of the centring work of doubly-curved shell
roof is more difficult. Shell units are effectively used for replacing solid slabs.
In shell roof construction, the slope of the roof and the curve of the arc must be carefully
designed so that the building remains stable. Shell roof is not suitable where the roof is
required to be at different levels, as the entire structure of the roof must be built at a single
level. In shell roof construction, lighting and ventilation arrangement are also difficult to install.

The design of shell roof is difficult, expensive and need skilled and experienced personals. A
shell roof is relatively thin and does not require support beams. The costs of materials for these
types of roofs are lower than the materials required for either a flat or a pitched roof.

SOURCE: www.gharpedia.com

Shell roofs are made from structural ‘skins’ where the shell material is thin in section relative to
the other dimensions of the roof and undergoes relatively little deformation under load.

They are commonly used where a building interior needs to be free from intermediate walls or
columns that might support a more conventional flat or pitched roof, such as; libraries,
theatres, leisure centres, airport and railway terminals, and so on.

Shell roofs can be ‘flat’, but are typically curved, assuming a cylindrical, domed, paraboloid or
ellipsoid shape. The curvature of shell structures benefits from the same structural efficiency as
arches, which are pure compression forms with no tensile stresses. Because of their structural
efficiency less material is generally needed compared to more traditional roofs. However, a
restraining structure such as an edge beams is required to prevent the shell from ‘spreading’.

Shell roofs may be:

Single shells such as the dome of the Pantheon in Rome.

Multi-shell roofs such as Eero Saarinen’s JFK International Airport in New York.

Reinforced with structural ribs, such as Jørn Utzon’s Sydney Opera House.

Lattice structures, such as Norman Foster’s Great Court at the British Museum in London.

They are most commonly constructed using insitu reinforced concrete, however, other
materials such as and timber and steel may be used for reinforced, lattice or composite
structures.
 SOURCE:

www.designingbuildings.co.uk