CASE STUDY : STEEL &
GLASS STRUCTURES
NIKITA CHOPRA
2022UAR1340
CONTENTS
Introduction
Case study – 1
- Kunsthaus Graz
Case study – 2
- Parliament
Library Building
Domes
PRESENTATION TITLE
2
INTRODUCTION
• Steel structure is a metal
structure which is made of
structural steel components
connect with each other to
carry loads and provide full
rigidity.
• Because of the high
strength grade of steel, this
structure is reliable.
• In modern construction,
steel structures is used for
almost every type of structure
including heavy industrial
building, high-rise building,
equipment support system,
infrastructure, bridge, tower,
airport terminal, heavy
industrial plant, pipe rack,
etc.
3
CASE STUDY – 1
KUNSTHAUS GRAZ,
Annual revenue growth
AUSTRIA
KUNSTHAUS GRAZ
Location: Graz, Austria
Architect: Peter Cook
& Colin Founier
Completion date: 2003
Floor Count: 6
Floor Area: 4,000 sq m
Height: 30m (98ft)
DESIGN CONCEPT
The concept design of the
Kunsthaus Graz revolves
around the idea of
creating a dynamic and
futuristic structure that
contrasts with the historic
architecture of Graz.
Architects envisioned the
building as a “Friendly
Alien,” with an organic,
biomorphic form that
appears to have landed in
the cityscape.
6
DESIGN ISSUES
1 . S t r u c t u r a l c o m p l ex i t y d u e t o i rre g u l a r
f o rm .
2 . G l a re a n d h e a t g a i n f ro m ex t e n s i v e
acrylic glass panels.
3. Maintenance challenges due to unique
shape and materials.
4 . Ac c e s s i b i l i t y c o n s i d e r a t i o n s f o r
visitors.
5 . I n t e g r a t i o n w i t h h i s t o r i c s u rro u n d i n g s
a n d u r b a n c o n t ex t .
SITE ISSUES
1. Location constraints along the
River Mur.
2. Integrating futuristic design
with historic urban context.
3. Concerns regarding
environmental impact.
4. Infrastructure requirements for
access and utilities.
5. Considerations of cultural and
social context in design decisions.
7
T H E KU N S T H A U S
G RA Z
•  T he Kunsthaus Graz, also known as the Graz
Art Museum or the “Friendly Alien,” is a
contemporary art museum.
• The Kunsthaus Graz is renowned for its
innovative and futuristic design, its irregular
shape and blue acrylic glass panels has
earned it the nickname “Friendly Alien” due
to its resemblance to an otherworldly
creature.
• The museum’s facade is made of 1,288
acrylic glass panels, which are backlit with
LED lights, allowing the building to glow in
various colors and patterns at night.
• Inside, the museum features exhibition
spaces for contemporary art, as well as a
cafe, a shop, and event spaces. 8
MATTERIAL
COMPONENTS
MAJOR BUILDING
MATTERIAL
ANALYSIS
1. CONCRETE
2. STEEL
3. GLASS
4. PLASTIC
9
CONCRETE
T h e a s s e m b l y o f t h e fl o o r pl a t e s
a n d b u i l d i n g s u pp o r t w i t h i n t h e
bu i l d i n g a re c o n s t r u c t e d f ro m
po u re d i n - p l a c e c o n c re t e .
G r a z , l e v e l s 1 t h ro u g h 4 u s e a
m o re c o n v e n t i o n a l pi l o t i a n d
be a m s y s t e m .
T h e ke y e l e m e n t t o po i n t o u t
h e re a re
• It allows columns to be
p l a c e d i n a l e s s r i gi d g r i d
system
• T h e c o n c re t e s t r u c t u re i s t h e
f o u n d a t i o n f o r t h e f re e - f o rm
space frame systems.
• H a v i n g t h i s r i g i d fl o o r
s y s t e m , i t n o t o n l y re s i s t s
t h e t h r u s t f ro m t h e a bo v e
s t r u c t u re , bu t a l s o a c t s a s
the bracing element linking
t h e c o l u m n s a t t h e g ro u n d
fl o o r.
10
STEEL - SPACE
FRAME
A space frame structure is essentially a truss-like confi guration, composed of a
lightweight rigid structure formed by interlocking struts in a geometric pattern.
The inherit strength comes The space to remain The Architects needed to
from the triangular unobstructed by columns, develop a system that could
configuration of the frame, giving absolute freedom the to accommodate the large
stiffing the structure in all the space planning for specific spans and open free plan on
directions.. exhibitions. the upper level of the 11
D E S I G N I N G O F S T E E L S PA C E F R A M E
The triangular layout provides Early design stage of the The refined structural space-
for the required shearing structural framing. This design frame has been fully
stiffness. The triangular mesh turned out too complicated developed. The refined
is derived from the because the number of triangulation layout provided
longitudinal and transversal elements grew too large. the required shearing 12
L AY E R 1 - R A I N / W E AT H E R
BARRIER
L AY E R 2 - M A J O R S T E E L
S PA C E S RA M E
L AY E R 3 - M I N O R T R I A N G U L AT E D
STEEL TRUSES
L AY E R 4 - P L E X I G L A S
HULL HANGERS & F RAME
L AY E R 5 - B I X M E D I A
FA C A D E
L AY E R 7 - N E E D L E L A Y E R 6 - O U T E R T R A N S P A R E N T13
O B S E RVAT I O N PLEXIGLAS HULL
STEEL
Using steel in this application
allowed the architects not
only to span the 60m, but also
allowed them to have the
facade of the building to
curve in more then one
direction. The building form
was the driving force in
designing the steel structure
instead of the steel structure
dictating the arbitrary form.
ADVANTAGES OF USING
STEEL
• STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
• FLEXIBILITY IN DESIGN
• LEIGHTWEIGHT
CONSTRUCTION
• FASTER CONSTRUCTION
TIME
14
GL ASS
Glass is an essential element in
building d esign. It provides
views from the interior to the
exterior, and vice versa.
The g lass portion of the
building is mostly situated at
the b ase of the building where
the free fl owing public space is
located . This thin wall of glass
gives the sp ace a perception of
transp arency, a continuation of
the exterior into the interior .
GLASS ADVANTAGES
- Extensive use in the facade
for natural light and views
- Adds to the futuristic
aesthetic
- Helps regulate temperature
and sunlight
- Provides transparent
15
surfaces for showcasing
PL ASTIC- PLEXIGL AS
T he des i gn a nd l a y o ut o f t he
P l ex i gl a s ha d t a ken s ev er a l
s t a ges t o dev el op.
• Us i ng Rhi no , a di gi t a l f ree f o rm
s oft w are, t he des i gn t ea m w a s
ca pa bl e o f crea t i ng a c l o s e
eno ugh mo dul e i n o rder t o
cus t o mi ze ea ch pa nel .
• P l a s t i c bec ame t he c ho i ce
ma t er i a l f or no t o nl y i t s
mo ul di ng ca pa bi l i t i es , but a l s o
t he co s t eff ect i v enes s o f
ma nuf a ct ur i ng i t .
• T he P l ex i gl a s requi red
s peci a l l y des i gn mo ul ds t ha t
w o ul d a l l ow f o r t he bendi ng i n
t w o di rect i o ns . I t s t r a ns parent
pro per t i es w ere a l s o t he key i n
ma t er i a l c ho i ce.
• Si nce t he f a ça de w a s t o
beco me t hi s mul t i medi a
s creen, t here beca me t hi s
requi rement of a l l o w i ng t he
t r a ns mi s s i o n o f l i ght , w hi ch
16
r ul ed o ut a ny o t her mat er i a l s
PLEXIGL AS MANUFACTURING
The Plexiglas panel
manufacturing process can be
broken down into three main
stages:
Stage 1: The Mold
A large rectangular block of
Styrofoam approximately the
size of a king size bed, is cut
through computer aided presets
to the desired dimensions by a
fi ve axis milling cutter:
Stage 2: Firing
A standardized 4 x 3 meters fl at
panel is heated to the point of
elasticity, and is then placed
upon the Styrofoam mold and
gravity begin to take their
eff ect.
Stage 3: Cooling
The Plexiglas panel takes its
fi nal form as it, cools slowly on
the Styrofoam mold to avoid any 17
tensions and deformations.
MATTERIAL
COMPONENTS
MAJOR WALL MATTERIAL
ANALYSIS -
1. Open-jointed acrylic
panels
2. Under-facade BIX
lighting
3. Support for panels
4. Synthetic Membrane
(Bitumen compatible
waterproofi ng sheet)
5. FOAMGL AS Insulation
6. Synthetic Membrane
7. Closed cell steel
decking
8. Steel space frame
18
MATTERIAL
COMPONENTS
Façade structure
1. Synthetic membrane
(bitumen compatible
waterproofi ng sheet)
2. Supporting
framework, primary
steel truss
3. Closed cell steel
decking
4. FOAMGL AS insulation
5. Under-façade BIX
lightning
6. Sprinkler nozzle
7. Support for panels
8. Open-jointed acrylic
panels
19
MATTERIAL
COMPONENTS
BIX Façade
The building skin
covered with BIX
provides a unique fusion
of architecture and new
media, based on a
concept of architects
and artists from Berlin.
The BIX facade is a
matrix of 930
fl uorescent lamps
integrated into the
eastern Plexiglas facade
of the Kunsthaus. This
eff ectively translated
the intent of the facade
becoming a multimedia
screen.
20
CONCLUSIO
The materials that were used in the
CONCLUSION
Nof the building are relatively
construction
At Contoso, we believe in giving
simplistic, but yet present the building in
110%. By using our next-
a very futuristic
generation data manner. The
architecture, we changing
form of the exterior
help organizations allows for the
virtually
building
manage toworkfl
agile standows.out
We from
thrive its
surrounding context,
because of our and become the
market knowledge
and great team behind our product.
iconic building. This iconic image is
As our CEO says, "Effi ciencies will
achieved by the
come from way the
proactively material palate
transforming
all work together
how we as the final assembly.
do business."
21
C A S E S T U DY – 2
PA R L I A M E N T L I B R A RY B U I L D I N G D O M E S
Location: New Delhi
Client: Lok Sabha
Secretariat,
Government of
India Architect: Raj
Rewal Associates, New
Delhi
Structural Engineer:
Central Public Works
Department,
Government of India
Contractor: Larsen &
Toubro Ltd., ECC
Construction Division
23
INTRODUCTION
T h e Par l iam e n t L i b r ar y b u i l d i n g
i n Ne w D e l h i, I n d i a, w as
c om p l e te d i n 2 00 2. Gi v e n th e
si g n i fi c an c e of th e b u i l d i n g , th e
d e v e l op e r s w e re ke e n to u se th e
b e st m ate r i als p o ssi b l e , w i th th e
l ate st te c h n ol og i e s. Th e re su l t is
a f ou r- store y b u i l d i n g , tw o fl oor s
of w h ic h are ab ov e g ro u n d .
T h e m ai n arc h i te c tu r al f e atu re i s
th e tw e lv e i n d i v i d u al d o m e s
w h i c h m ake u p th e roo f , e ac h
c om p r isin g d i ff e re n t d i m e n sion s,
d e sig n s an d m ate r i al s. T h e
d om e s are b o th th e h i g h e st an d
m ost re c og n i sab l e e l e m e n ts of
th e b u i l d i n g . Tw o o f th e d o m e s
are m ad e f rom g l ass an d
stain l e ss ste e l . 24
MATERIAL SELECTION
Stainless steel is very visible
throughout the complex, both
internally and externally, and
is used for two of the domes.
It was fi rst included in the
design of this building when
the engineers identifi ed it as
a suitable material for the
cramps which hold the
external sand stone in place,
owing to its excellent
corrosion resistance.
After consultations with the
Nickel Institute and ISSDA
(Indian Stainless Steel
Development Association),
grade 1.4307 (S30403) was
selected.
25
In total,around 350
tonnes of stainless steel
used in the
development for many
diverse applications
such as the domes
structural members,
cramps, handrails,
library stacks, fi tting
sand furnishings etc.
Why stainless steel
was used?
Stainless steel was
chosen for its durability
and low maintenance as
well for aesthetic
considerations.
26
T H E F O C A L C E N T RA L D O M E
THE FOCAL CENTRE IS
LOCATED AT THE CROSS
AXIS OF THE LIBRARY
COMPLEX. EXTERNALLY IT
IS ALSO THE HIGHEST
POINT OF THE
COMPOSITION.
Span: 25 m Rise:
4.2 m
Comprises stainless steel
tubular members, welded
to cast nodes.
Insulated glass panes are
used between the
members to allow natural
light into the central part
of the building. A natural
gloss fi nish was specifi ed .
PRESENTATION TITLE 27
HIGH TECH JOINT OF
CAST STEEL JOINTS
C A S T S TA I N L E S S S T E E L
B E I N G B O LT E D T O S T E E L
NODE BELOW THE
MEMBERS
REFLECTIVE GLASS
THE FOCAL CENTRAL DOME 28
The focal central dome- Design
IT IS A GLASS
DOME FRAMED
WITH STAINLESS
STEEL
STRUCTURAL
MEMBERS IN THE
FORM OF FOUR
PETALS.
THE PARABOLIC
FORMS OF THE
PETALS ARE TIED
TOGETHER ON
TOP TO A
SQUARE MEMBER
AND LACED
TOGETHER
UNDERNEATH
WITH TENSILE 29
THE VIP DOME
Diameter -16 m Height - 2.5
m
The second dome containing
stainless steel, known as the VIP
dome.
It contains stainless steel tubes
shaped into a combination of 9
octagons and 12 squares (refer to
Figure 6). To fi t these shapes onto
a truly spherical surface, the
octagons were slightly distorted.
The octagons are covered with a
fi bre reinforced concrete shell
which is clad with sandstone and
granite, held by stainless steel
cramps. The squares are clad with
glass panels.
The entire structure is supported
on a ring beam through articulated
pin joints at 16 locations to allow
rotation of these joints. The ring
beam is further supported on 8 30
circular columns.
S U P P O RT
SYSTEM FOR
VIP DOME
CONSTRUCTION
OF THE DOME
D E TA I L O F T H E
O C TA G O N A L
L AT T I C E F O R M E D
BY T W O M E M B E R S
O F S TA I N L E S S
STEEL PIPES
THE VIP DOME 31
FABRICATION AND ERECTION
Geometric precision was
achieved for the various
elements of the dome,
including the cast joints,
the curved tubular
sections and the fi xings,
through careful
workmanship.
The stainless steel
sections were rolled in
Mumbai before being sent
to Chennai for bending
and were then
assembled, welded and
polished on site.
THANK YOU
NIKITA CHOPRA
2022UAR1340
