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Deployable Structures for Architectural Applications-A Short Review

Article  in  Applied Mechanics and Materials · November 2014

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.658.233

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Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 658 (2014) pp 233-240 Submitted: 28.07.2014
© (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland Accepted: 28.07.2014
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.658.233

Deployable Structures for Architectural Applications - a Short Review

DOROFTEI Ioan1, a *, DOROFTEI Ioan-Alexandru2,b

1
“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and
Robotics Department, Blvd. D. Mangeron, No. 43, 700050 - Iasi, Romania
2
“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Architecture “G. M. Cantacuzino”,Blvd.
D. Mangeron, No. 3, 700050 - Iasi, Romania
a
*idorofte@mail.tuiasi.ro, badoroftei@yahoo.com

Keywords: Deployable structure, retractable structures, transformable.

Abstract. Deployable structures can provide a change in the geometric morphology of the envelope
by contributing to making it adaptable to changing external climate factors, in order to improve the
indoor climate performance of the building. They have the ability to transform themselves from a
small, closed or stowed configuration to a much larger, open or deployed configuration being also
known as erectable, expandable, extendible, developable or unfurlable structures. According to their
structural system, deployable structures can be devided in four main groups: spatial bar structures
consisting of hinged bars, foldable plate structures consisting of hinged plates, strut-cable
(tensegrity) structures and membrane structures. In this paper a short review only on two of these
groups of deployable structures for arhitectural applications will be presented.

Introduction
Deployable structures have the ability to transform themselves from a small, closed or stowed
configuration to a much larger, open or deployed configuration [1]. These are also known as
erectable, expandable, extendible, developable or unfurlable structures [2].
If we are observing in nature, several transformable structures can be found, like the extensible
worm, deployable leaves and wing of insects [3], expanding virus capsid [4], or the movable
structure of the human body. For centuries several small-scale man-constructed deployable
structures have been constructed too, such as umbrellas, chairs, fans etc. For the last decades,
advanced man-made structures have been buil, mainly for spatial engineering applications like for
booms, solar arrays, antennas, reflectors [5, 6], as the volume and the weight of a structure to be
transported to space is crucial.
On earth, until recent times, only small structures like tents, yurts and shelters have been
constructed for architectural purposes. Confirming to the novel conceptions of the last 21th century
and tanks to available numerical and robotics technologies, advanced transformable structures are
already applied in civil engineering and architecture. Structures used for off-shore industry and light
deployable structures used for modern architecture can be mentioned among these. These structures
are designed to undergo very large displacements and remain fully operational [7]. Often these
structures can integrate a multibody system, which facilitates a construction phase before being
integrated in a structural assembly [8, 9].
Deployable, foldable, expandable and reconfigurable structures can provide a change in the
geometric morphology of the envelope by contributing to making it adaptable to changing external
climate factors, in order to improve the indoor climate performance of the building.
According to their structural system, four main groups can be distinguished: spatial bar structures
consisting of hinged bars (transformable lattice structures), foldable plate structures consisting of
hinged plates, strut-cable (tensegrity) structures and membrane structures [1, 10]. These structural
systems have been classified by their morphological and kinematic characteristics in Fig. 1 [10].
In this paper a short review only on two of these groups of deployable structures for arhitectural
applications will be presented.

All rights reserved. No part of contents of this paper may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of TTP,
www.ttp.net. (ID: 81.180.223.197, ”Gh. Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania-23/09/14,13:33:26)
234 Advanced Concepts in Mechanical Engineering I

Fig. 1. Deployable structures., where numbers indicate references in [10].

Bar structures consisting of hinged bars

Transformable structures by pantographic systems. Many deployable structures that can be
opened and closed are based on the wellknown concept of the lazy tong system. The minimum
component of this system is the so called scissor-like element (SLE). The SLE consists of two bars
connected to each other with a revolute joint. The upper and lower end nodes of a scissor unit are
 Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 658 235

connected by unit lines. For a translational unit, these unit lines are parallel and remain so during
deployment. In Fig. 2 a plane and a curved translational unit are shown, the plane unit being the
simplest translational unit having identical bars.

(a) (b)
Fig. 2. Translational unit: a) plane unit; b) curved unit [1]
By the parallel connection of SLEs the simplest 2D deployable structure, the lazy tong is
constructed, shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3. A plane translational scissor linkage, called a lazy-tong [1]

The curved unit has bars of different length. When these units are linked by their end nodes, a
curved linkage is formed, as it is shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4. A curved translational linkage in its undeployed and deployed position [1]
Connecting at least three of SLEs through complete pin joints a ring is formed, providing a
secondary unit of this frame structure (Fig. 5.a-d). By further connection of secondary units almost
all kind of 3D-shapes can be formed folding into bundle (see Fig. 5.e-h). Adding tension
components like wire or membrane to its developed form, it becomes a 3D-truss and gets effective
strength, thus towers, bridges, domes and space structures can be rapidly constructed [11].
When in a plane translational unit the intermediate hinge is moved away from the centre of the
bar, a polar unit is formed with unequal semi-bars a and b (see Fig. 6). It is this eccentricity of the
intermediate hinge which generates curvature during deployment. The unit lines intersect at an angle
. This angle varies strongly as the unit deploys and the intersection point moves closer to the unit as
the curvature increases. In Fig. 7, a polar linkage is shown in its undeployed (Fig. 7.a) and deployed
(Fig. 7.b) configuration.
236 Advanced Concepts in Mechanical Engineering I

(a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Fig. 5. Some secondary units of scissor like deployable structures: a-b) pyramid type units and c-d)
skewtypes; e-h) foldable shapes [11]

(a) (b)
Fig. 6. Polar unit Fig. 7. A polar curved translational linkage in its undeployed (a)
and deployed (b) position [1]
Deployable structures folding into a bundle. Using scissor-like deployable structures for
architecture was pioneered by the Spanish engineer, E. P. Piñero. He presented a foldable theatre
(Fig. 8) in 1961 [12], and elaborated several other deployable designs. Despite of all the
disadvantages of his structures, Piñero inspired several researchers. This was the case with F.
Escrig, who designed a deployable roof for a swimming pool in Seville [13] (see Fig. 9).

Fig. 8. Deployable structure of Piñero [12]

 Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 658 237

Fig. 9. Deployable swimming pool [13]

By piling up pyramid type structural units vertically (Fig. 10.a-b) a basic pantographic structure
is formed: a three-dimensional mast [14] (deployable structures stiffened by cables).

(a) (b)
Fig. 10. Deployable structure controlled by active and passive cables:
a) general idea; b) foldable bridge [14]

While pantograph structures discussed above all need additional stabilizing elements like cables
or other locking devices, it is possible to design deployable structures that are self-stable in the
erected configuration without any additional member with the application of a special geometric
configuration [5] (self-locking deployable structures.). This can be achieved by adding inner SLEs
to the initial secondary units. An example of such a structure is shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 11. Zeigler’s patent for collapsible self-supporting structure: dome and scissor details [15]

Retractable pantograph structures. The application of structures that can fold into bundle
when continuous transformability needed could be difficult to get. The American engineer, C.
Hoberman made a considerable advance in the design of retractable roof structures by the discovery
of the simple angulated element [16]. Using angulated elements he created the retractable roof of
the Iris Dome, shown in Fig. 12, at the EXPO 2000. The exhibition dome was formed by the
connection of the angulated elements on concentric circles.
One of the difficulties regarding retractable domes is the problem of covering the lattice
mechanism. An enclosure can be created by elastic/folding membrane or rigid plates, which are
238 Advanced Concepts in Mechanical Engineering I

Fig. 12. Iris dome designed by Hoberman, EXPO 2000 [16]

allowed to overlap in the retracted position. Several different designs have been proposed by
Hoberman [16, 17]. One example is the central part of the responsive dome (see Fig. 13) that covers
a major central courtyard of Abu Dhabi's international airport.

(a) (b)
Fig. 13. Cover of retractable structures with sliding panels by Hoberman: a) schematic model for
covering the iris dome; b) model of the dome of Abu Dhabi's international airport
Pantadome erection. Not taking the construction of them into account, the 3D spatial structures
are extremely efficient. However, the difficulties with installation (big amount of scaffolding, labor
and time) often highly decrease this efficiency. This drawback can be significantly reduced with the
unique structural system called the Pantadome System invented by M. Kawaguchi [18], Fig. 14.

Fig. 14. Schema of the of the pantadome erection [18]

Foldable plate structures consisting of hinged plates

In this case, the retraction can be obtained by sliding, folding or rotating the panels in different
directions. The panels can overlap while retracting or move independently. The first retractable
dome structure is said to be the circularly sliding retractable roof of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena (Fig.
15) opened in 1961 and closed in 2010.
 Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 658 239

Fig. 15. Pittsburgh Civic Arena

Unfortunately for retractability this optimal shape had to be sliced in parts, thus the cost was the
huge cantilever that supports the panels, and the bigger structural height. A similar geometry was
achieved by a more recent construction that did not apply an external structure to hold the panels,
the Fukuoka stadium in Japan (Fig. 16), opened in 1993.

(a) (b)
Fig. 16. Fukuoka stadium: a) photo with closed; b) with opened roof
A much more slender retractable structure was constructed in Oita, Japan, in 2001 (called the
Oita Stadium or more commonly the “Big Eye”), see Fig. 17. A large part of the spherical roof is
fix, only the top two panels are retractable that slide parallel on seven rails to the periphery of the
dome. The sliding panels are covered with a special membrane containing a Teflon film that
provides better transparency, thus even on rainy days natural lighting is provided [19].

Fig. 17. Oita Stadium [19]

Summary
Deployable structures can provide a change in the geometric morphology of the envelope by
contributing to making it adaptable to changing external climate factors, in order to improve the
indoor climate performance of the building. According to their structural system, four main groups
 240 Advanced Concepts in Mechanical Engineering I

can be distinguished. In this paper a short review only on two of these categoriess of deployable
strucures for arhitectural applications has been be presented.

References
[1] N. De Temmerman, Design and Analysis of Deployable Bar Structures for Mobile Architectural
Applications, PhD Thesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 2007.
[2] F.V. Jensen, Concepts for retractable roof structures. PhD Thesis, University of Cambridge,
2004.
[3] J.F.V. Vincent, Deployable structures in nature, in: S. Pellegrino (Ed.), Deployable Structures,
Springer-Verlag Wien, New York, 2001, pp 37-51.
[4] F. Kovács, T. Tarnai, S.D. Guest, P.W. Fowler, Double-link expandohedra: a mechanical model
for expansion of a virus, Proc. Roy. Soc. A, 460:2051 (2004) 3191-3202.
[5] C.J. Gantes, Deployable Structures: Analysis and Design, WIT Press, Southampton, Boston,
2001.
[6] S. Pellegrino, Deployable Structures, Springer-Verlag Wien, New York, 2001.
[7] A. Ibrahimbegovic, On the geometrically exact Formulation of Structural Mechanics and Its
Applications to Dynamics, Control and Optimization, Comptes Rendus de l’Academie des
Sciences, Part II : Mécanique, vol. 331, 2003, pp. 383-394.
[8] A. Ibrahimbegovic, R.L. Taylor, Nonlinear Dynamics of Flexible Multibody Systems,
Computers and Structures, 81 (2003) 1113-1132.
[9] A. Ibrahimbegovic, W. Schiehlen, Computational Techniques and Applications in Nonlinear
Dynamics of Structures and Multibody System, Proceedings EUROMECH-427, Cachan, September
24-27, 2001.
[10] A. Hanaor, R. Levy, Evaluations of Deployable Structures for Space Enclosures, International
Journal of Space Structures 16 (2001) 211-229.
[11] K. Atake, Diagonal and Variable Frame Structures, Symmetry Culture and Science Extended
Abstracts 1, ISIS Symmetry, vol 1, 1995, pp. 53-56.
[12] E.P. Pinero, Project for a mobile theatre, Architectural Design, 12 (1961) 154-155.
[13] F. Escrig C. Brebbia, Mobile and Rapidly Assembled Structures, II, First ed. Computational
Mechanics, Southhampton, UK, 1996.
[14] K. Atake, Diagonal and Variable Frame Structures, Symmetry Culture and Science Extended
Abstracts 1, ISIS Symmetry, vol1, 1995, pp. 53-56.
[15] T.R. Zeigler, Collapsible self-supporting structures, Us Patent No. 4,026,313 (1977).
[16] C. Hoberman, Radial expansion/retraction truss structures, US Patent No 5,024,031 (1991).
[17] C. Hoberman: Retractable structures comprised of interlinked panels, US Patent No 6,739,098
(2004).
[18] M. Kawaguchi, M. Abe, On some characteristics of pantadome system, IASS 2002:
Lightweight Structures in Civil Engineering, Proceedings of the International Symposium, Warsaw,
Poland, 24-28 June, Micro-Publisher Jan B. Obrebski, 2002, pp.50-57.
[19] K. Ishii, Structural Design of Retractatble Roof Structures, WIT Press, Southampton, Boston,
2000.

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