Draft

1.11StructuralEngineeringCourses 25

Foldedplatesareusedmostlyaslongspanroofs. However, theycanalsobe usedas

verticalwallsto supportbothverticalandhorizontalloads.

Membranes: 3Dstructurescomposedof a
exible2Dsurfaceresistingtensiononly. Theyare

usuallycable-supportedandareusedfortents andlongspanroofsFig.1.8.

Figure1.8:Examplesof AirSupportedStructures

Shells: 3Dstructurescomposedof a curved2Dsurface,theyareusuallyshapedto transmit

compressive axialstressesonly, Fig.1.9.

Shellsareclassiedin termsof theircurvature.

1.11 StructuralEngineeringCourses

22 Structuralengineeringeducationcanbe approachedfromeitheroneof two points of views,

dependingontheaudience,??.

Architects:Startfromoveralldesign,andmove towarddetailedanalysis.Emphasisongood

understandingof overallstructuralbehavior.Developa good understandingof loadtrans-