THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NEW STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS, FORM GENERATION AND NEW BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES OF LARGE-SPAN BUILDINGS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

The end of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century witnessed a transformation in the architectural world. This transformation created new architectural forms based on using structural systems as form generators. There are many factors that shaped the characteristics of this period and affected the architectural form in different way, which resulted in this paradigm shift. Moreover, these factors are correlated, interdependent, and interwove. The purpose of this thesis is to find a relationship between structural systems, building forms and new building technologies. The thesis begins by a review of literature that introduces the definition of large span buildings, as well as the history of their appearance. After wards, this relationship is traced through three main successive stages. The first stage formulates the classification of structural systems of large span buildings and how they become innovated and reflect the power of the form. The second stage analyzes the impact of new building technologies and digital technology tools on generating building form and creating new architectural trends based on advanced software. The third stage summarizes the different types of forms and the different form generating approaches in the 21st century derived from the previous analysis. Afterwards, the analytical part of the thesis explores different examples of foreign architectural projects using structural systems and new building technologies, and highlights the supported processes and activities of new digital technology during the design processes. The case studies results indicate that the potentials of the new structural systems and advanced building technologies provide opportunities to generate unique forms, and increase the ability to design and construct any complex form of any large span building. Accordingly, a methodology of two parts. The first part is represented by the theoretical studies in the chapters from two and three. The second part is represented by the analytical studies fromchapter four to six. Each chapter leads to a conclusion that is used finally in the analytical studies. Conclusions from theoretical and analytical studies are used in formulating the final conclusion in chapter seven. The recommendations – presented in chapter seven – collectively, focus on the importance of using new technologies and structural systems in generating building's form. Also, it urges the designers to be aware of new digital technology tools.