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ANALYSIS OF A HYPERBOLIC
PARABOLOIDAL SHELL

by

MELVIN L, BURDORF
'
B, s , , Kansas State University, 1958

A MASTER I S REPORT

submitted in partial fulfillment of the

requirements ror the degree

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Department of Civil Engineering

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Manhattan. Kansas
1963

Approved by1
 L. D
2.<,, G, a 11
R..4-

b(i5

l,......,£n~S
..°J,}-- TABLE OP CONTENTS

SYNOPSIS •••••••••••••• • ••• • ••••••••• ••. • •• • • ••••• •... l

INTRODUCTION •• • ••••••• • • • • •••••••••••••••• • ••• • • • ••••

METHOD 011' STRESS ANALYSIS ••••••• • •••••••••• • ••••• • •••

General Definit ion

Surface Definition

Conditions or Equilibri um •••••••••••••••••••••••

APPL I CATION OF STRESS ANALYSIS 16
Sur face Defini t ion •••••••••••••••••••••. , • • • • • • • 16
Stress Conditions ••••••••• , • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • . • • • 18
Sec ondary Stre sses •••...••.• , • , ••••••••••••••••• 22
DESIGN EXAMPLE 27
Shell Design • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 27
Edge Beam Des i gn •••••••••••• , • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 29
Detailed Drawing • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 33

CONCLUSIONS • • •••••••• • •••• , •••••• •. • • • ••• • ••••• •, •• •. 35

ACKNOIILEDGJIIENT ••• • •••••••••••• • •••••• •. • •• • • •• •...... 37

BIBLIOGRAPHY •••••••••• • ••••• •........................ 38

 AIIALYSIS OF A HYPERBOLIC
PARABOLOIDAL SHELL
By Melvin L. Burdorr, 1 A. M. ASCE

SYNOPSIS

Many articles have been published on hyperbolic parabo-

loidal shells . However to the knowledge or the author, no
complete simpliried analysis covering various loading
conditions has been developed to date .
The shell analysis explained is a result of reviewing
several references using the membrane theory solution with
unirorll vertical loading. By the membrane theory• no bend-
ing moment is allowed within the shell, therefore the shell
acts ma1nlJ by axial forces . Applying this theory, the
basic equations are developed for one quadrant of the hyper-
bolic paraboloid . A consideration or secondary stresses,
which cannot be included in the membrane theory solution,
is given . The basic equations and the consideration or
secondary stresses are then applied to a practical design
of an inverted, single support reinforced concrete hyper-
bolic paraboloid .

1 Graduate Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Kansas

State University, Manhattan, Kansas .
 2

A brier detailed drawing 11 presented showing the

dimensions and reinforcing resulting from the design of
the hyperbolic paraboloid.

INTRODUCTION

Increasing interest and acceptance by the general

public or shell roof construction haa led to the wide
usage of reinforced concrete hyperbolic paraboloidal shells .
Through their use the designers can depart from the system
or linear members confined to three perpendicular planes
to a curvilinear system for more imaginative and graceful
structures. Some advantages other than beauty resulting
from the simple hyperbolic paraboloid are economics or
design, economics of conatruotion, and low maintenance coat.
By membrane theory analysis, the hyperbolic paraboloid
carries a uniform load mainly by direct axial compression or
tension, uniformly stressing all material or the cross-
aection, thus giving an economical design . Economy or
construction 1a gained by the atraight-line simplicity or
forming the surface and by the repeated use or constructed
rorm5. Maintenance on reinforced concrete hyperbolic
paraboloid roofs is usually low . By nature or the material,
it is virtually fireproof. Alao being constructed aa a
oingle unit reduce• maintenance . Other advantagee 2 relating
to settlement, wind and earthquake rorcea influence a reduc-
tion in maintenance costs .
Realizing their growing usage , the author reviewed
evailable literature concerning the etre•• analyei• and
design or hyperbolic paraboloid• in order to gain a practical
working knowledge or the simpler caeea . Therefore thie
paper contains a summary or aeYeral references which explain
the stress and design analyeie . When a section 1• developed
mainly fro• one or two references, proper acknowledgement or
each reference will be given at the beginning or the eection .

METHOD OP STRESS ANALYSIS

General Definition

A structure whose th1cknesa has a much smaller magn1-

tude than its other two dimenaions (length and width) 1•
called a laminar structure . The shell ia a laminar structure .
Flugge3 cites two examples or ehells which otructurally
behave very differently . Other references cla .. Hy the
difference in atructural action or shells aa either a proper
or an improper ahell. 4

Structural Application• of Hyperbolic Paraboloidical

Shells, by Felix Candela, Proceeding•, ACI, Vol . 26,
January 1955, p . 397 .
Streoses in Shell•, by w. Flugge, p . 8.
Underatanding the Hyperbolic Paraboloid, by Pelix Candela,
Architectural Record, Vol. 124 No . 1 , July 1958, p . 192 .
 The main structural act i on or the improper shell 11
performed by bending and twisting moments combined with
noraal and shear forces . An example or such 1• a cly1ndr1cal
shell formed by rolling a sheet or paper into a cylinder and
aecuring the ends together. It 11 easily observed that a
small lateral rorce applied to this shell causes considerable
deformation which is resisted mainly by bending and twisting
moments .
The structural action or the proper shell 11 performed
predominately by direct stress (normal and shearing forces) .
An electrio light bulb is an example of a proper shell . Even
though its 1118.terial 11 very thin and rather fragile, a large
lateral load can be applied without any visible deformation
or this shell . Since the deformation and thickness is very
small, one could assume that the bending and twisting momenta
are almost negligible . Flugge mentions that a detailed study
shows this to be true .

Surface Definition

Geometrically, the shell is bounded by a doubly curved

surface . The two curved surracea are defined as the faces
or the shell . The middle surface of the shell 1a defined as
the aurrace p&eaing midway between the two races . By know-
ing the shape of the middle aurfaoe and the thickness, a
shell can be geometrically described .
 5

Referring to the two shell examples given previously,

the middle surface or an improper shell is developable .
Thia means the middle surface can be formed by an initially
plane flexible sheet without stretching the sheet at any
point . The proper ahell has a non-developable •iddle
aurrace, which cannot be formed from an initially plane
flexible sheet without atretch1ng at some point .

Conditions or Equilibrium

Using the approach or Flugge 5 to define the atresses

in a shell, first an x, y, z coordinate system aa shown in
Fig . 1, is aet up to deacr1be the position or a point on
the middle aurrace. The x and y coordinate ax1a 1s tangent
to the middle aurrace with the z axis being normal to the
middle surface. Then an element is cut from the ahell by
two pairs or planes which are normal to the middle aurrace
or the ahell .
The f'orcea formed by removing the element are resolved
into three components positively s1~ned as shown in Fig. 1.
Referring to Fig. 2, each of the three torcea ahown in
Fir . 1 is the resultant or either normal stresses (<rx, ~y),
shear streaaes parallel to the middle surface ('Txy-r'yxl,

5 Ibid . , pp . 3-9 .
ffil. STRESS RESLLTANTS AND LOADS
 7

z
t
I

r, j
)
\FK3.2. STRESSES ACffiG ON A DFFERENTLL\L aaerr
and shear stresses normal to it ('l'xz' Tyz). Therefore the
three forces can be termed etress resultants.
Using the terms illustrated in Fig.land Fig. 2, the
stress resultants are defined as follows, 6

f_.t/2 r -z it/2 rx-•

TX • If (..l.-)dz, Ty • lfy<--l dz,
t/2 x r 1 t/2 rx

j_t/2 ry-Z {t/2 rx-•

Txy • '!' (--)dz, Tyx • 'I' (--)dz,
t/2 XJ ry -t/2 Yx rx

it/2 r 1-z it/2 rx-•

Qx • 'l'xz<~~)dz, QJ • 'I' (--)dz,
t/2 r1 t/2 yz rx

M
x •f_.,t/2< (-
t/2 x
r 1-z
-)zdz,
ry
My •
f_~/2 ~
t/2 1
rx-•
(--)zdz,
rx

Mxy •-
jt/2
t/2
ry-z
'l'xyC--)zdz,
r1
Myx
i~/2
• rx-•
'f C--)zdz,
t/2 yx rx

The factors {,-•) and {x-•) are assumed to be equal to

6 Theory or Plates and Shella bys. Timoahenko, and

W. Woinowsky - Krieger, p. ,29.
unity aa the thickness of the shell 1e generally small as
compared with the radii of curvature .
Since the load on the proper shell 11 carried mainly
by normal and shearing forces. the momenta may be assumed
negligible in the streas analysis . Thia assumption leads
to the membrane theory of shells . Fig. 1, therefore shows
all the necessary forces acting on the sides of the shell
element . By moment equations concerning the element, it
can be proven7 that Txy•Tyx and Qx•Qy•O . With these
assumptions, the ten unknown stress resultants are reduced
to only three unknown stress resultants (Tx, Ty, Txy> •
From the three equations of static equilibrium, the three
unknown stress resultants can be solved .
Using the same coordinate axi• and transforming the
actual forces of the element into force• acting on a
proJected area as shown in Fig. 3, considerable 1implifica-
tion of the analysis can be gained . The following portion
of analysis follows closely that set forth by A. L. Parme . 8
The stress resultants Ty, Tx • S (S•Txy•Tyxl represent
the skew force• being tangential to the element's surface,
The •tress resultants Typ• Txp• Sp represent the proJected
forces in the xy plane . The skew forces T1 , Tx• Sare

Stresses in Shells, by w. Flugge, p . 9.

8 Hyperbolic Paraboloids and Other Shella or Double Curva-
ture, by A. L. Parme, Proceedings, ASCE September 1956,
82 ST5 .
 10

l
TjJp

FIG. 3. SI-ELL ELEMENT AND ITS PRCU:CT~

 11

measured in pound• per unit l ength or Un• ele ..ent , By

geo,..try it la aeen that

dp coaf • dy (la)
dq co• ~· dx (lb)

Mult1ply1ni the normal rorcea by the 0011ne or the an~le

between roroe and the xy plane y1elda the x and y component•
ot such . Th• x coaponent• are

T xpdJ•T,.001 <I> dp,

Spdx•S ooa 4> dq ,

which by 1ub1t1tut1on becomes

T dy•T ~ d7 ,
xp "coa '!'

Spdx•~ dx ,
CM ~

and they component, are

Typdx-T1 co1 'I' dq ,

SpdJ•S coa '!' dp ,

which by aub1tltution becomes

T dx•T COi ' dx

7P J~ '

SpdJ•~m ~ dy ,
 12

The new •tress resultants 1n terms or the projected

element are

Txp • T £2il_ (2a)

Xcos If'

Typ • T ~ (2b)
YCOS lj>

SP • S, (2c)

Der1v1ng the element's area dA 1n terms or the projected

element area dxdy gives

dA - ~ ~ a1nw • dxdy(l-sin 2 'f' s1n 2<f>l 112 ,

cos 4> cos 'f' cos cp cos "'
Assuming only a vertical d1str1buted load per unit area Wz
acting on the shell element dA, the transferred d1atr1buted
load per unit area Wzp acting on the projected element 1a

~ . (l-s1n2 If' s1n2d> )l/2, (3)

w;- cos 'f' cos$
The load Wzp can be assumed to be uniform for moat hyperbolic
paraboloid shells of moderate riae, The ain 2 'f' sin 2 tp term
can be neglected since it will become small for the moderate
rise case, Using th1a assumption Equation (3) becomes

wzp • w. l
cos 't' coacp
(4)

With the forces acting on the element varying from the

ona race to another. equilibrium of forces in the x direction
 13

expressed in terms or Txp' TYP and SP gives:

o_!m~ o (5)
ax•ay.
Likewise equilibrium in they direction yields

a..:.ir.n
o Y ,Ix
+ ~ . o. (6)

Equillbriu• in the z direction involves all of the shell

element•s etreas resultants as they all contain a vertical
component. The Yertical component of the normal force Tx is

and by substituting ror Tx and dp from Equations (2a) and

(la) yields

Txp ~
cos <P s i n
cos~
'I'
• Txp tan~ dy • Txp~
u
dy,

The vertical component acting per unit or length along the

y axis 1s

A similar expresaion tor the vertical component of T1 per

unit or length along the x axis la round to be

T az
yp"'af •

The vertical component of the shear force along the:, axis la

s dp Bin 'f'
and by substitution from Equation• (2c) and (la) gives

sp ~ sin 'I' • SP tan IJI dy • Sp

cos ~
#",
dy

which per unit of length along they axis is

Similarly, the vertical component of the shear force along

the x axis 1a

s cl z
Pax
Taking into account the differential increments of all
the forces, the equilibrium equation in the z direction yields

(7a)

By differentiating the products, Equation (7a) becomes

,ll'xo + ~)E=. _ ( ~ + ~)£.! _ Wzp, (7b)

-lax <l y ax ay ax ay
Substitution of Equations (5) and (6) into (7b) gives

(7c)
 15

The three Equations (5), (6), and (7c) are the basic
membrane theory equations for this case , Using the defined
shell's middle surface, a direct solution or these equations
may be tried. Since we have three "dependent• variables
Txp' Typ• Sp• each depending on two "independent" vari-
ables x, y, the solution becomes very complicated . By
assuming the stress resultants described by a single stress
function For x, y, instead of Txp• Typ• Sp, the equations
are reduced to one second order equation . The stress
resultants are derived trom the "Airy stress function• 9 P by
differentiation, as follows:

Txp ·- a2p
a y2
(Ba)

• a2'1t'
Typ (Bb)
3x2

SP --~axay
(Be)

By substitution, Equations (5) and (6) are satisfied and

Equation (7c) reduces to

(9)

For nost cases, the algebraic solution of this differential

equation is quite difficult, however for a hyperbolic para-
boloidal 1hell loaded under uniform loading, the solution
1s fairly simple,

9 Advanced Strength or Materials, by J, P, Den Hartog, p, 174,

 16

APPLICATION OF STRESS ANALYSIS

Surface Def1n1t1on

As previously stated, the hyperbolic paraboloidal shell

is bounded by a doubly curved surface. This surface may be

defined in two ways. either as a surface or translation or
as a warped parallelogram. The surface or translation can
be visualized by translating or moving a vertical parabola
or upward curvature over another parabola with downward
curvature. The translating parabola's plane is perpendicular
to the other parabola and !a at all times parallel to !ts
original position, thus giving a saddle-shaped surface.
The second method of description is described as a
warped parallelogram and ls shown in Fig . 4. The remaining
portion or this report, including application and design
will be based on this method or description . This surface
1s constructed by moving a straight line along the x axis,
remaining parallel to the yz plane at all times. but rotating
about the x ax1a as the outer end or the line slides along
the straight line ABC. A similar generating line can be
established along they axis. The resulting surface formed
by the grid of straight lines may be described at a point by
the intersection of two such lines contained in the aurrace,
 17

E'

'(

FIG. 4. Slff'ACE DESCRIPTION

 18

The "warped parallelogram" connotation for the surface can

be visualized as the horizontal plane A'C'E'G' is warped by
vertically depressing corners A1 and E' to new positions A
and E, and allowing corners G' and c• to rise vertically
to new positions G and c.

Stress Condition•

A basic quadrant ABOH of the •warped parallelogram•

surface taken from Fig. 4 is ahown in Fig. 5, Continuing
as A. L. ParmelO has done in his paper, any point on the
aurface can be described as a function or x, y and z.
Referring to Fig. 5

Likewise,
*. f or c • ~ .
(lOa)

(lOb)

Substituting into Equation (lOb), the value of c found in

Equation (lOa) gives

z • •: • chf>f • xy <~al •

Letting k • ~b,
z • kxy. (11)

lOHyperbolic Paraboloids and Other Shells of Double Curvature,

by A. L. Parme, Proceedings, ASCE September 1956, 82 ST5.
 19

)(

FIG. 5. BASIC QUADRANT

 20

Upon substituting Equation (11) into Equation (9), the

second differential of Equation (11) equals zero and the
remainder yield•

c12p
- 2 am k • - wzp

which by Equation (Be) reduces to

sp - ~ . (12)
2k

Using the above value for SP' it is easily seen that

~
ax- 0
and
aso
ay. o.
Substituting these values into Equations (5) and (6) yields

(13)

By Equations (12) and (13), it can be observed that the

edges of a hyperbolic paraboloid shell resist only a uniform
tangential shear. since the normal forces equal zero.
Using Mohr's circle, this pure shear resolves into
principal stresses of equal and opposite magnitude acting
on sections at 45 degrees to the shear plane (see Pig, 6),
Identical parabolic arches are formed by the sections taken
-5 degrees to the coordinate axia as shown in Fig, 6. The
parabolic archea or parabolas parallel to OB curve downward
while those at right angles to OB curve upward.
 21

(BJ

FIG. 6. PARABOLIC ARCHES

 22

Assuming the uniform load is equally divided between

the two sets or perpendicular arches as shown in Fig. 6,
the arches parallel to OB exert an outward thrust Ron
the edge members by the nature of their curvature, while
those perpendicular to OB exert an inward thrust R.
Since the arches have curvature, they exert both
vertical and horizontal forces at their ends on the edge
members. The net effect as shown in Fig. 6-b 1s that
the normal force components to the edge member cancel out
and the vertical force components cancel out leaving only
the pure shear acting along the edge member. Fig. 7 shows
the net result or the pure shear acting on the edge members,
or in this case, the edge beams, tor two quadrants forming
a portion or a complete structure.

Secondary Stresses

In using the membrane theory or analysis, only the

equilibrium or forces has been considered, neglecting the
compatibility between stresses and strains. The following
discussion on secondary stresses is based mainly on P.C.A. 'a
publication or "Elementary Analysis of Hyperbolic Paraboloid
Shells" • 11

11 Elementary Analysis or Hyperbolic Paraboloid Shells,

Portland Cement Association, 1960.
 23

FIG. 7. SI-EAR FORCES ON EDGE BEAM

 As the shell becomes nat ter (less rioe to span ratio)
axial strain within the perpendicul ar parabolic arches
becornes important . This axial strain will set up secondary
bending moments within the arches . For the usual rise, h/a •
1/5 or h/b • 1/5, the effect of axial strains is relatively
small and can be safely neglected . When the shell flattens
out, i.e . h/a decreases, the effect or axial strain must be
investigated . Using a two-hinged parabolic arch subjected
to uniform load as a comparison to the parabolic arches in
the shell, the horizontal component or the reaction for a
given span decreases aa the ratio of rise to span decreases.
This decrease in the horizontal component is coupled with a
subsequent increase or axial strain, thus resulting in
secondary bending moment. The limiting value of secondary
bending moment would be the case of zero rise in which it
would equal the simple-beam bending moment .
Fig. 8-a represents the results of a study12 concerning
secondary bending moment . This graph ls also based on the
fact that the curved surface can be represented. by sets of
perpendicular parabolic arches, whose shearing forces and
normal forces on the two opposite races can be neglected.
Also the assumption that the ends of the arches are not
free to move is made .

12 Ibid ., p . 16 .
 25

~I)

ii
t3oor---...----,.-=r---,--,--,-~r---,
-~
f.50
~OOl----+--1'-+-:-:--+---t--"'s;~~1-----;-~,
~
~50 .,__1-1,~:::--+~..-t---t-~;-~-r---i
~
-.:. 100 .,__~..._f~-fw.Q,orl-~;:-t--;--..=t::---i
~
1so~~~~~+::::::'""-f-:::::=-f"-=q:===:I
~ o0~~LJ:j~~~i~i~~iij.
10 20 30 40
~
(B)

ma SECONDARY ~NTS AND STRESSES

 26

Using the appropriate ratio of~ coupled with the

dimensionless quantity f, the secondary bending moment can
be found for a strip of L length. In studying Fig . 8-a, it
is seen that as f decreases to zero, the bending moment
approaches the simple beam bending moment, which is not in
line with the membrane theory analogy. As f increases, i.e.
the strip of L length 1a farther from the corner, the
secondary bending moment decreases, the rate of which is
a function or ~· As the ratio or ~ becomes larger, the
rate or decrease or the secondary bending moment becomes
larger. Using a shell thickness or 3", the normal ratio
or rise to span or 1/5,

p~~ ). 0 • 010 •
From Pig. 8-a, for *• ht • 1 x
a6'
0.010, and a distance of 5 feet or
more from the corner, it is observed that the secondary
bending moment is becoming less important.
Fig. 8-b, representing the secondary bending moment
as secondary flexural stress, brings out the importance or
curvature on the magnitude or secondary atreaaea, 1 3 For
example, a square shell whose thickness is 3 inches and
~ • 1/5 has a secondary stress in terms or w equal to ~o.
at a point 5 feet from the corner. Another square shell

l3 Ibid., p. 16.
 27

with the same thickness and at the same point from the
corner, except having~• 1/7 has secondary stress in

terms of v equal to 115. From comparing the two values

of stress, the importance of curvature is quite evident.

DESIGN EXAMPLE

Shell Design

This design ls for a square roof unit having a shape

commonly called the inverted umbrella. Fig. 7 shows a
partial unit with the exterior edges being horizontal. The
plan dimensions are 30 x 30 feet with a 3 foot vertical
rise. Since adequate reinforcement coverage controls the
shell thickness rather than stress limitations, a shell
thickness or 3 inches will be used. This gives a uniform
dead load of 37.5 psf for the shell. Live load ls equal
to 30 psf plus 15% of the live load to allow for the weight
of the edge beams. The total design uniform load ls
therefore 72.0 psf.
From Equation (12), the pure shear per foot acting
within the parabolic arches of the shell is

s P• :t ~
2k
. :t ~
2
~
h
. :!: 72 2<15(3)
> Cl 5) • +
-
2700 lb./ft.
 28

The compreasive concrete stress is

f • ll.22. • ± 75 psi .
c 3 (12)

No steel is needed ror concr e t e in the compressive parabolic

arches, however a nominal amount should be used for tempera-
ture and shrinkage stresses . The tensile concrete stress is
also 75 pal. Here again, no steel is theoretically needed
for loading stresses, however steel will be included to
take care or all tensile forces . The amount being

A8 • l.a1Q.2_ • 0 . 135 sq . in . per ft .

20 , 000
Recalling that the parabolic arches are rotated 45 degrees
from the shell'• edge, the reinforcing should be placed
likewise . If for ease of placement, the reinforcing is
oriented parallel to the shell's edge, the amount of
reinforcing must be subsequently increased . For this
example, the amount of reinforcement placed parallel to
the edges equals

As • 0 . 135 x 1 . 4H • 0 . 191 sq . in . per rt .

Therefore No. 3 bars placed at 7 inches apart are suffici-

ent . This same pattern will also be used for the
compressive area .
 29

Considering secondary stresses in the flattened

corners. Fig. 8-b showa the maximum secondary stresses
occurring at x/t equalling approximately 22 for

For the 3 inch thickness, this gives the L length strip

placed out an x distance 5' - 6" from the corner . For the
D. L. plus L. L. or 72 . 0 psf. the maximum secondary stress
equals

re• 175 x 72 , 0 • 87 5 psi

144 ' '
While the magnitude or flexural stress is not critical,
five No . 3 bars placed 45 degrees to the edge beams will
be added for tension in the immediate range of maximum
flexural stress.

Edge Beam Design

According to the membrane theory analysis the horizon-

tal edge beams are loaded by pure shear from the shell,
causing tension ranging from zero at the corners to a
maximum value at the center. Maximum tension in the
horizontal edge beams is

H • 2,700 x 15 • 40,500 lb ,
 30

for which the area of steel required 1s

As • ~~·m•
• 2. 025 sq . in .

Two No . 6 bars and two No . 7 bars are suff icient .

Excessive corner deflection or the horizontal edge
beam has been experienced for this type of structure . 1 -
Recalling the discussion of secondary stresses, as the
shell flattens out near the corner• the validity of
membrane theory analysis decreazes . The parabolic arch
strips approach simple beams in which the horizontal
edge beams take the vertical reaction . This in turn
causes a downward deflection . To offset this deflection,
the centroid of the edge bearn ia placed above the applica-
tion or the shearing action from the shell . Thia results
in an eccentric loading which tends to lift the end or
the edge beam. In addition, a small amount of steel can
be placed in the top of the edge beam to take tension
stresses .
The sloped edge beams are designed for axial compression
resulting from shearing action on both sides ranging from
zero at the outer edge to a maximum at the valley of the
shell . The maximum amount la

2H 15 . 30 • ~ x 40,500 x 1y 30 • 82,620 lb.

5
15

14 Building for Economy with Hyperbolic Paraboloids, by

O. Madsen and D. Biggs, Journal ACI, Vol . 32, No . 4,
pp. 373-383.
 31

Since the sloped beam is subjected to axial compression with

small eccentricity, it may be designed by column formulas,
Another approach1 5 to the design would be to consider the
sloped beam as a flange with the shell acting as the web .
This approach permits using allowable compressive stress
in rlexure . Since the membrane analysis does not include
the effect of strains occurring in the edge beam, the
conservative column formulas will be used to reduce
poasible strains.
The standard formula for lateral tied columns is

substituting PgAg • A8 • the above formula becomes

from which

Ag• 'o.'ai'o.'225 f ' c + Pgfsl

Using a percentage or steel Pg• 0, 01, r 8 •. 20,000 psi and

r• c • 3,000 psi, the required gross area at the valley for
the sloped beam la

82 620
Ag• 540 + 20,000 x 0 , 01 • 111 ' 6 sq. in ,

l5 Elementary Analyois of Hyperbolic Paraboloid Shella,

Portland Cement Association, 1960.
 32

For an 18 inch wide beam, the depth required 1•

111 , 6
d • 18 • 6 , 2 inches,

Due to possible unsy111111etrical loading causing increased

bending streaaea, an 1ncreaae or depth to 9 inches will
be uaed , The required As for the sloped beams equal•

A8 • 0 , 01 x 111 , 6 • 1 , 116 sq , in,

Four No , 6 bars will be used,

 33

5·"3@6"cfr.s. Iner. fJvm

1:0" fa /0~6" placed htlow
11.3@7" m11f.

mw
~ • J • 7"aachwil!J
ein3"8/ab
c-"6•20~0" --1'1
~*6•30~0"

4" Roof drain

A A

1~1Hfi~====~====:E;::::ttl.=:J

S!lction A-A

FIG. 9-A. DETAILED DRAWING

 S<lction C·C

Z."6•(f0"

S«ction 8-B

FIG. 9-8. DETAILED DRANING

 35

CONCLUSION

By membrane theory, the doubly curved surface or the

hyperbolic paraboloidal shell will support a uniform load
mainly by direct axial compression or tension forces. The
edge beam stiffen• the ehell at the boundaries, and 1•
loaded by pure shear from the shell, according to membrane
theory. However, since stresses developed by this theory
are dependent upon ehell curvature, sections ot the natter
portion or the shell near the corners tend to act as simple
beams, thu1 developing bending stresses. Accompanying the
bending stresses or the shell is a vertical reaction on the
tension edge beam. Thia in turn produces bending momenta
in the edge beam.
Analysis by the membrane theory for stresses in the
shell under uniform load does not involve complicated
mathematics. However, under unsymmetrical loading, the
mathematics becomes very complicated . With unsymmetrical
loading and even uniform loading to a leeser degree, there
is some question as to how much or the shell is conforming
to the assumptions made ror tha uae or membrane theory . No
allowance by the membrane theory 11 given tor compatibility
of stress-strain relationships. Coneequently, any deflection
which the structure obtains will introduce & need tor atreas-
atrain consideration. The uniformly loaded structure
 35

treated in this paper will have alight derlection, especially

near the shell boundaries . However the stress analysis
resulting rro• this deflection is beyond the scope or this
paper.
In studying the available literature, the author
tailed to uncover a complete general solution of hyperbolic
paraboloidal shells. Several approaches have been used. 15
Model studies with simplified mathematical analysis appears
to be one or the simpler, while a more complicated approach
would be to apply a combination of membrane, bending,
ultimate load, and buckling theories to the particular
shell being studied.

15 Thin-shelled Structures, by D. P. Billington, Civil

Engineer, December 1961, p. 57.
 37

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author wiahes to thank Dr. J. a. McEntyre,

professor ot the Department or Civil Engineering, tor
bis help and guidance. Also the author expresses a inc ere
thank• to his wire, Charlene, ror typing the report.
 38

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bleich, H, H, and M. a. Salvadori

Bending Momenta on Shell Boundaries. Proceedings
A.s.c.E. 85 ST8, paper 2223, Oct. 1959, pp. 91-101,
Billington, D, P,
Thin-Shelled Structure•, Civil Engineering, Dec, 1961,
p. 57,
Candela, Felix
Structural Applications or Hyperbolic Paraboloidal
Shells, Journal A~er, Cone, Ina. V 26, Jan, 1955,
pp, 397-415,
Candela, Felix
Understanding the Hyperbolic Paraboloid, Architectural
Record V 124, No, 1, July 1958, pp, 191-195,
Design or Cylindrical Concrete Shell Roofs, A,S,C,E,
Manuals or Engineering Practice, No, 31, 1952,
Elementary Analyaia or Hyperbolic Paraboloid Shella,
Structural and Railway Bureau, Portland Cement
Association, 1960,
Flugge, W,
Stresses in Shells, Berlin, Springer-Verlag, 1960,
Gerard, P. A.
The Analysis or Hyperbolic Paraboloid Shell Roofs,
Trans. Eng, Ins, Canada V 3, No, 1, April 1959,
pp. 32-42,
Hartog. J. P. Den
Advanced Strength of Materials, Nev York, MoGraw-
Hill, 1952,
Madsen, Gordon and Dutton Biggs
Building for Economy with Hyperbolic Paraboloids,
Journal Amer, Cone, Ins. V 32, No. 4, Oct, 1960,
pp, 373-383.
Parme, A. L.
Hyperbolic Paraboloids and Other Shella or Double
Curvature, Proceedings A.s.c.E. 82 ST5, paper 1057,
Sept, 1956,
Timoshenko, Stephen
Theory or Elasticity, New York, MoOrav-Hill, 1934,
Timoahenko, s. and \I, Woinowsky-Krieger
Theory or Platea and Shells, New York, McGraw-Hill, 1959,
 ANALYSIS OP A HYPERBOLIC
PARABOLOIDAL SHELL

by

MELVIN L, BURDORP
B, s. , Kansas State University, 1958

AN ABSTRACT OP A rASTER ' S REPORT

submitted in partial ru1r111ment or the

requirements ror the degree

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Department or Civil Engineering

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Manhattan, Kanaaa

1963

Approved by:

~1ajor Professor
 Many articles have been published on hyperbolic
paraboloidal shells , However to the knowledge or the
author, no complete a1mplif1ed analysis covering various
loading conditions baa been developed to date .
The shell analysis explained ts a result of reviewing
several references using the membrane theory solution with
uniform vertical loading. By the membrane theory, no
bending moment is allowed within the shell, therefore the
shell acts mainly by axial forces . Applying this theory,
the basic equations are developed for one quadrant of the
hyperbolic paraboloid. A consideration of secondary
stresses, which cannot be included in the membrane theory
solution, is given. The basic equations and the considera-
tion of secondary stresses are then applied to a practical
design of an inverted, single support reinforced concrete
hyperbolic paraboloid .
A brief detailed drawing is presented showing the
dimensions and reinforcing resulting from the design of
the hyperbolic paraboloid,