US3270470A - Roof structure and method of erection - Google Patents

Description

, J. R. WlLKlE ET AL ROOF STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF ERECTION Sept. 6, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 26, 1962 i 5 MEMIJ T/IO 2 mwjw VM W. w

Sept. 6, 1966 J. R. WlLKlE ET AL 3,270,470

ROOF STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF ERECTION Filed Nov. 26. 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS doll/V R. W/l/f/E fioLlunw Jzasrax BY RIG/N440 J- Jaws Jo Sept 6, 1966 J. R. WILK'IE ETAL 3,270,470

ROOF STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF ERECTION Filed Nov. 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORJ' Jam! 4. W444i Batu/7w JzoJr/m' BY 4 6614 410 6. JOA'AJd/V Sept. 6,1966 J. R. WILKIE ET AL 3,270,470

ROOF STRUCTURE AND METHOD 0F ERECTION Filed Nov. 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Shee'c 4 INVENTORS Jomv A. Wax/E Jmuzrunr Jzasrdk BY Its/M910 6- Jon/Joy F4 NA 0. Chm/3J1 United States Patent 3,270,470 R06 STRUQTURE AND METHOD OF ERECTION lohn R. Wilkie, 8400 Petersburg Road, Vanderburgh Qounty, ind; Boleslaw Szostak, 203 Green Valley Road, Greensboro, N.C.; Reginald B. Johnson, ISSIStop & Shop Court, ()wensboro, Ky.; and Frank D. Cain, In, 732 State St, Bowling Green, Ky.

Filed Nov. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 240,096 11 Claims. (Cl. 52-82) The present invention relates to a roof structure, and more particularly to a new and novel long-span roof structure and the method of erecting same.

As is known, in the building of larger structures used, for example, for athletic or like events, ordinary I-beam and truss arrangements have been employed, with a limiting factor in the design of such prior structures being, in part, the desired ultimate shape of the building or the roof thereof, viz., oblong, round, or the like, and the necessity of upright supports which might interfere with the desired and/or optimum use of the building.

In accordance with the instant invention, the applicants herein have provided a new and novel approach in building design, and more particularly to the roof structure therefor, where the latter includes a sequence of preselected load changes during erection to ultimate final assembly. At the outset, the instant roof structure is designed for a building having a circular-floor plan, or at least one which has a circular roof structure as a dominant feature thereof. As will be apparent, and importantly, the instant invention permits the erection of long-span building structures evidenced by flexibility of interior design because the use of interior support members for the roof is not required.

Briefly, the instant invention comprises a roof supporting wall typically defined by a series of outer columns in a circular configuration or floor plan, and a centrally disposed cage, which has an upper and alower ring, temporarily mounted on a tower in the area of the axis, or center, of the aforesaid circular floor plan. A series of cables extend radially from the lower ring of the center cage to an outer ring disposed on the top surface of the aforesaid peripheral columns, where such cables are normally in tension.

Trusses also extend radially between, the aforesaid columns and center cage, where ordinary roofing is supported on such trusses. Noting that the outer end of each of the trusses, i.e. that end supported by the outer columns, is pinned to the outer ring, while the inner end of each of the trusses, i.e. that end supported by the center cage,

is not pinned to the latter, the cables are prestress'ed, placing the outer ring into maximum compression, thereby shortening the diameter of the circular layout, but not placing any direct stress on the trusses. Thereafter, the inner end of each of the trusses is respectively pinned and all other framing is erected.

The temporary tower is then removed, and upon so doing, the outer ring is relieved of compression and goes into tension, where the cables are further stressed, and the upper ring of the center cage is in compression, as is the bottom chord of each truss, and the lower ring of the center cage is in tension. As load is applied, to each truss, the direct compressive stress in the bottom chord thereof is relieved by tension due to bending, thereby reducing the over-all compression in such bottom chord due to the entire roof structure.

Since the outer ring is not connected to the columns and is free to slide thereon, its increase in diameter does not exert any lateral load on such columns. At this time, with dead-load only on the roof structure, the outer ring is secured to the columns by means of anchor bolts, for

example, and, thereafter, fixedly secured, as by field welding, to bearing plates disposed on each of the columns. Any additional load subsequently applied to the roof structure will be proportionally assumed by the outer ring, the cables and the peripheral columns, the latter being in the form of lateral thrust from such additional load.

It will be apparent that the instant invention affords the advantage of having the contractor work under roof, inasmuch as the design was conceived so that the peripheral outer columns and the spandrels and trusses can be erected and the entire roof completed, and, thereafter, the balance of the building structure finished under cover.

A principal object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a new and novel roof structure having a circular design which is arranged so that the design forces thereof vary during construction, and result in a light weight finished roof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel method for erecting a long-span roof structure having a circular configuration or floor plan.

A further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel roof structure which affords safe and effective use without the necessity of employing permanent interior support posts or columns, and, thereby eliminates any interference with the purpose of the building for which the roof is designed.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view, generally in front elevation, showing a single truss and cable arrangement, and a portion of the center cage, forming the applicants" new and novel roof structure;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the aforesaid center cage of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the new and novel roof structure forming the instant invention, showing the truss pattern and roofing material on one portion thereof and showing another portion prior to roofing;

FIG. 4 is a view in side elevation showing details for securing a typical cable between the outer ring and the lower ring of the center cage, and details of the slidable end of a truss;

- FIG. 5 is another detailed view in side elevation showing the arrangement between the fixed end of a truss and the upper ring of the center cage;

FIG. 6 is still another detailed view in side elevation showing the arrangement between the chord of a truss and the lower ring of the center cage; and,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view showing details of securing the cable to the lower ring of the center cage, generally taken at line 77 of FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the figures, the applicants new and novel roof structure is disclosed in connection with a as, generally, an outer column 11, a temporary framework 15, a center cage 20, a cable 40, a truss 60, and roofing 80 disposed on the truss 60. A typical seating arrangement is shown by the phantom lines of such figure and, 'of course, it must be understood that same can be altered as desired, without effecting the important advantages afforded by the instant invention.

In any event, the outer columns 11, which are disposed in a circular pattern or floor plan, and typically spaced at ten degree intervals, are, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, formed of reinforced concrete. It might be noted, for purposes of proportion, that the athletic building described herein has a 300 foot diameter from inner face to inner face of the outer columns 1 1, where the latter each have dimensions approximating 24 by 48 inches. Each of the outer columns 11 has a recessed portion 11a in its top surface which is adapted to mount a portion of an outer ring 12, which outer ring 12 is slidable, in a radial direction, prior to final assembly, on

bearing plates 14, to be discussed herebelow. The bearing plates 14 are each fixedly secured to the recessed portion 11a of the outer columns 11 by means of nut and bolt combinations 14a (see FIG. 4).

The aforesaid outer ring 12 is typically a series of straight sections of I-beam welded together to define a closed unit. Although not specifically disclosed in the drawings, but, however, in accordance with usual practice, splice plates, having bolts associated therewith, serve to provide additional connection between the respective sections of I-beam defining the closed outer ring 12.

In any event, and again referring to FIG. 4, and also to FIG. 2, depending plates 12a extend inwardly from the outer ring 12 proximate each of the outer columns 11, where such depending plates 12, in pairs, serve to receive a socket 41 at the end of a wire bridge strand 40a and 4% which typically define the cable 40. More particularly, each socket 41 has a portion extending between the respective depending plate 12a, where cotter pins 12b provide a pivotal connection to the outer ring 12. It might be noted that wire clamps 44 are typically disposed between the wire bridge strands 40a and 40b.

As indicated hereabove, temporary framework 15 is provided to support the center cage 20, where the latter includes a lower tension ring 21, where, extending upwardly therefrom, and converging one with respect to another, a series of support pipes 22 position an upper compression ring 25, which, it will be observed, has a smaller diameter than the lower ring 21.

The supporting framework for the upper ring 25 is completed by lateral members 24, typically pipes, which are welded to the support pipes 22 in order to achieve a rigid over-all structure. As in the instance of the outer ring 12, the upper ring 25 is defined by a series of spliced straight I-beam sections forming a closed ring unit. It will be noted from FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 that the aforesaid support pipes 22 each have their respective ends positively positioned by plate members 26, which are secured, by bolts 26a, to the webs defining the center portion of the lower and upper rings 21 and 25, respectively, of the center cage 20.

With further reference now to FIGS. 4 and 7, pairs of depending parallel plates 21a extend outwardly from a side surface of the lower ring 21 of the center cage 20, with every two of such pairs being radially and correspondingly disposed with respect to the depending plates 12a proximate the peripheral columns 11 (also see FIG. 3). A closed strand socket 42, having a standard type of take-up, has a portion thereof extending around a pin 21b passing between each of the parallel plates 21a. In other words, by utilizing the standard take-up, each of the wire bridge strands 411a and 40b comprising the cable 40 can be prestressed, as desired, with such prestressing, however, during the erection procedure, being in stages so that the outer ring 12 and the lower ring 21 of the center cage do not become distorted.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6, a series of plates 30 having flanges 30a extending therefrom are peripherally disposed on a side surface of the upper ring 25 of the center cage 20, where nut and bolt combination 30b typically position such plates 30. Welded or otherwise secured to the same side surface of the upper ring 25, in a cut-out portion of the aforesaid plate '30, is an erection seat 31, typically a T-member, which is adapted to slidably mount an end 60a of the truss 60. The flanges 30a of the plate 30 each have aligned openings therein through which a pin 32 is adapted to be received, which pin 32 also extends through an opening in the end 60a of the truss 60. It should be understood that pinning is effected only after all trusses 60 have been erected, and the cables 40 prestressed.

With reference now to FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6, a series of posts 34 extend upwardly from the upper ring 25 of the center cage 20, with the lower end of each being positioned by the use of bolted plate members 35. As should be apparent from the figures, the aforesaid posts 34 generally correspond, in number, to the support pipes 22 which extend between the lower ring 21 and the upper ring 25 of the center cage 20. In any event, extending from each of such posts 34 proximate an end thereof, are pairs of flanges 36 having elongated slotted bolt-receiving openings 36a therein. The aforesaid flanges 36 are adapted to receive an end of the top chord 62 of the truss 60, i.e. the web of the latter is received between the pair of flanges, with the elongated slotted openings 36 providing the necessary adjustment for bolting upon erection.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, another post 70 extends upwardly from the outer ring 12 at each of the peripheral columns 11, the bottom ends of each being positively retained in position by bolted plate members 71. The top end of each post 70 receives, by means of bolts (not shown), spaced-apart inverted angle members 72 which define a slot on either side of the post 70 for receiving the stem of a T-like member 73, one of which extends between each of the posts 70.

Beneath the angle members 72 is another angle member 74, onto which the top chord 61 of the truss 60 is received. A member 75 extends outwardly from the top chord 62, where such member 75 has an L-member 76 disposed along its outer free edge (see FIG. 3), which, together with the trusses 60, define a roof deck.

A conventional roof 80 typically including galvanized metal decking 81 extends from the L-rnember 76 to the center cage 20 (see FIG. 5). It might be noted that a louver 85 and mounting element 86 therefor conceal the inner high end of the roof 80.

In use, the outer columns 11 are first erected, along with whatever temporary bracing may be required, the positioning thereof being, of course, dependent upon the ultimate design characteristics of the building under construction. The outer ring 12 is then assembled and disposed on the recessed portion 11a in each of the outer columns 11, where the individual straight sections thereof are spliced, as customary, to provide ultimate strength.

As it is important that the outer ring 12 is slidable in a radial direction, and a lubricant can be employed to insure freedom of such movement, it must be understood that the outer ring 12 should not be welded to the bearing plates 14 at this time, nor should anchor bolts 18, each of which has one end imbedded in the outer column 11 and the other end thereof extending through the outer ring 12, be tightened.

Thereafter, the temporary framework 15 is erected, followed by the building and placement of the center cage 20 thereon. It might be noted that, in the preferred practice of the invention, the center cage 20 lends itself to fabrication at the building site.

In any event, each of the cables 40 is connected between the lower ring 21 of the center cage 20 and the outer ring 12, through the particular assemblies discussed hereabove. Also, each of the trusses 60 is positioned, with their respective outside ends being pinned at 12b, while their inside ends rest loosely on the erection seats 31, although, with redesign, the outside ends could be loose, while the inside ends are pinned. All other trusses, the details of which have not been discussed herein, but which, for example, are shown in the upper portion of FIG. 3, are now erected, as well as the sway frames between the trusses, and any other necessary bracing.

It might be noted at this time that the trusses 60 are each fabricated short by one-half the amount the outer ring 12 will reduce in diameter because of the prestressing of the cables 40. In other words, the preceding permits the ready pinning of the inside ends of the trusses 60 after prestressing the cables 40.

In any event, the cables 40 are then prestressed to the desired force, such prestressing being, as explained hereabove, in equal stages to prevent any distortion of either the lower ring 21 of the center cage 20 or the outer ring 12. By such prestressing, the outer ring 12 is placed in maximum compression, shortening the diameter thereof,

but not placing any direct stress on each of the trusses 60. Moreover, at this time, there is no stress on the upper ring 25 of the center cage 20, the lower ring 21 is in tension from the prestressing of the cables 40, and the outer columns 11 each carry only the vertical component of the dead weight of the framing, viz. each has no lateral thrust.

The inner end of each of the trusses 60 is then pinned at 32, with all remaining framing thereafter being completed, and all joint connections made final. Thereafter, the temporary framework 15 is removed, so that the center cage 20 is released, and the entire dead load of the roof structure becomes self-supporting. Following the preceding, which may typically be accomplished by the lowering of jacks forming part of the temporary framework 15, the roof deck is placed and completed.

As a result of the above, the outer ring 12 is relieved of compression, changing into tension, and the cables 40 are further stressed. The upper and lower rings 25 and 21 of the center cage 20 are in compression and in tension, respectively, while the bottom chord 61 of each truss 60 goes in compression, i.e. the direct compressive stress from the entire roof structure goes into the bottom chord 61 of the trusses 60.

As each truss 60 also carries a proportionate part of the direct roof load, each bottom chord 61, due to bending, will be in tension, thus relieving the direct compressive stress thereon. Therefore, the compression through the bottom chord 61 from the entire roof structure is reduced, meaning that the trusses need not be as large as would be required if all direct compression from one end of the structure to another were taken thereon.

Since the outer ring 12 is not connected to the bearing plates 14, nor to the outer columns 11, and is free to slide thereon, its increase in diameter does not place lateral load on the outer columns 11. With the aforesaid dead-load only on the structure, the anchor bolts 18 are tightened to position the outer ring 12, while the outer ring 12 is also field welded to the bearing plates 14. Any live-load now applied to the roof will be taken proportionately by the outer ring 12, the cables 40 and the outer columns 11. In other words, with added load, the outer ring 12, the cables 40 and the lower ring 21 of the center cage 20 will increase in tension; the upper ring 25 of the center cage 20 and the bottom chord 61 of each truss 60 will increase in compression; and, due to the increased diameter of the outer ring 12, and as same is secured to the outer columns 11, such outer columns 11 will assume a proportionate share of the lateral thrust from the added load.

By virtue of the instant invention, the applicants herein have provided a new and novel long-span roof structure characterized by lightness in weight, as well as to the new and novel method of erecting same. While occasionally some representative structural figures are stated in the above description, it should be understood that the instant roof structure is, in fact, susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention.

For example, different building designs will dictate specific changes which may differ from certain of the details described herein, but the broad concept underlying the invention will remain the same. Thus, the preceding description should be considered illustrative, and not as limiting the scope of the following claims:

We claim: 1. The method of erecting a roof structure defined by a ring member, cables, trusses, and a cage comprising the steps of erecting support columns, slidably mounting said ring member on said support columns, erecting scaffolding for supporting said cage centrally of said support columns, securing said cables to a portion of said cage and to said ring member, mounting said trusses radially between said ring member and said cage and pinning one end of each to said ring member, prestressing said cables radially'between said cage and said ring member in a pattern to maintain equilibrium between said cage and said ring member, pinning the other end of each of said trusses to said cage, releasing said cage from said scaffolding, and securing said ring member to said support columns.

2. The method of erecting a roof structure defined by support columns, a ring member, cables, trusses, and .a cage comprising the steps of erecting said support columns for receiving said ring member, erecting scaffolding for supporting said cage centrally of said support clumns, securing said cables between a portion of said cage and said ring member, mounting said trusses radially between said ring member and said cage and pinning one end thereof to said ring member, prestressing said cables radially between said cage and said ring member in a pattern to maintain equilibrium between said cage and said ring member, pinning the other end of each of said trusses to said cage, releasing said cage from said scaffolding, and securing said ring member to said support columns.

3. The method of erecting a roof structure defined by an outer ring'rnember, cables, trusses, and a cage having an upper ring and a lower ring comprising the steps of erecting support columns, mounting said ring member on said support columns, erecting scaffolding for supporting said cage centrally of said support columns, securing said cables between said lower ring of said cage and said outer ring member, mounting said trusses radially between said outer ring member and said upper ring of said cage, pinning one end of each truss to said outer ring member, prestressing said cables radially between said cage and said outer ring member in a pattern to maintain equilibrium between said cage and said outer ring member, pinning the other end of each truss to said upper ring of said cage, removing said scaffolding from beneath said cage, and securing said outer ring member to said support columns.

4. The method of erecting a roof structure defined by a ring member, cables, trusses, and a cage comprising the steps of erecting support columns in a circular pattern, mounting said ring member on said support columns, erecting scaffolding for supporting said cage at the center of said circular pattern, securing said cables to a portion of said cage and to said ring member, mounting said trusses radially between said ring member and on said cage and pinning one end of each to said ring member prestressing said cables radially between said cage and said ring member in a pattern to maintain equilibrium between said cage and said ring member, pinning the other end of each of said trusses to said cage, releasing said cage from said scaffolding, and securing said ring member to said support columns.

5. The method of erecting a roof structure defined by a tension-compression ring, cables, trusses having ends, and a cage having an upper compression ring and a lower tension ring which comprises the steps of erecting support columns, mounting said tension-compression ring on said support columns, erecting a temporary framework for supporting said cage centrally of said support columns, securing said cables between said lower tension ring of said cage and said tension-compression ring, mounting said trusses radially of said cage and positioning one end of each on said tension-compression ring and the other end on said upper compression ring of said cage and pinning either one of said ends at such respective position, placing said cables in tension radially between said cage and said tension-compression ring in a pattern to maintain equilibrium between said cage and said tension-compression ring, pinning the other end of each of said trusses, removing the temporary framework, and securing said tension-compression ring to said support columns.

6. A roof structure comprising a series of support columns disposed in a circular pattern, a ring member slidably positioned on said support columns, a cage centrally disposed with respect to said support columns, and trusses and cables extending radially between said cage and said columns, said trusses being positioned above said cables.

7. A roof structure comprising a series of support columns disposed in a circular pattern, a ring member slidably mounted on said support columns, a cage centrally disposed with respect to said support columns, said cage being defined by a lower ring member and an upper ring member, cables extending radially between said ring member and said support columns and said lower ring member of said cage and secured thereto, and trusses extending radially between said ring member on said support columns and said upper ring member of said cage.

8. The roof structure of claim 7 where means are provided for prestressing each of said cables.

9. A roof structure comprising a series of support columns disposed in a circular pattern, an outer ring member mounted on said support columns and slid-able from a first to a second position, a cage centrally disposed with respect to said support columns, said cage having a lower ring member and an upper ring member,

cables extending radially between and secured to said outer ring member and to said lower ring member of said cage, trusses extending between said outer ring member and said upper ring member of said cage, said trusses each having one end thereof pinned to said outer ring member, and the other end thereof pinned to said upper ring member of said cage at said second position of said outer ring member.

10. The roof structure of claim 9 where one end of each of said trusses is pinned to said upper r-ing member of said cage, and the other end thereof is pinned to said outer ring member at the second position of the latter.

11. A roof structure comprising a series of support columns disposed in a circular pattern, an outer ring member slidably mounted on said support columns, a cage centrally disposed with respect to said support columns, said cage having a lower ring member and an upper ring member, cables extending radially between and secured to said outer ring member and to said lower ring member of said cage, trusses extending radially between said outer ring member and said upper ring member of said cage, and means selectively securing said outer ring member to said support columns.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,885,781 11/1932 St. John 5282 2,005,533 6/1935 Chapman 5291 2,021,480 11/1935 Davidson 5286 2,082,116 6/1937 Mopin 5282 2,832,362 4/1958 Critoph 5294 X FOREIGN PATENTS 284,735 12/1952 Switzerland.

OTHER REFERENCES Architectural Record, pages 178182, August 1959. Engineering News-Record, page 23, Aug, 18, 1955.

EARL I. WITMER, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 6. A ROOF STRUCTURE COMPRISING A SERIES OF SUPPORT COLUMNS DISPOSED IN A CIRCULAR PATTERN, A RING MEMBER SLIDABLY POSITIONED ON SAID SUPPORT COLUMNS, A CAGE CENTRALLY DISPOSED WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT COLUMNS, AND TRUSSES AND CABLES EXTENDING RADIALLY BETWEEN SAID CAGE AND SAID COLUMNS, SAID TRUSSES BEING POSITIONED ABOVE SAID CABLES.

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