A decisive breakthrough in modern architecture
Recently, a team of researchers at Rovira i Virgili University has presented a pioneering method for the design of non -circular roofs, a crucial element in the construction of stadiums and large buildings. This innovative research seeks to solve the difficulties associated with the design of bicycle wheel covers, which use triangular radii to provide structural support.
An international recognition surprise
The excellence of work has been recognized with the Tsuboi Award awarded by the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS). The authors, Rodrigo Martín and Blas Herrera, were pleasantly surprised by this honor, as their main motivation was simply to contribute to scientific knowledge. “We did not expect to win anything; our research is a commitment to science and university,” Martín shared.
The challenges of the design of mass structures
Engineers and architects who design spaces for large audiences, such as sports stages or conventions centers, face numerous obstacles, especially when it comes to creating ceilings that do not obstruct visibility. The need for less frequent media to guarantee open spaces involves a delicate balance between aesthetics, functionality and materials.
Wheel type covers and challenges
The wheel -type covers, which consist of two radii -connected rings, offer light and efficient solutions, but also have complications in their assembly and design. Its structure does not become stable until the radii is completely stressed, and its shape depends on the distribution of voltage forces, thus complicating the design process in non -circular cases.
Innovation in radii triangulation
To address these limitations, the URV team developed a variation in these roofs, incorporating a triangulation of radii in the plant. This new configuration provides greater stability during assembly, although its implementation requires solving a complex mathematical problem.
A pioneering mathematical method
The method created by researchers is based on an iterative approach, which begins with an initial approach and adjusts hundreds of variables to achieve the ideal solution. According to Blas Herrera, one of the researchers, the most challenging part was to establish a good starting point for design, a crucial element that would allow the method to find an effective solution.
A promising future in structural design
With this new methodology, architecture and engineering professionals will be able to design non -circular roofs more easily and accurately. The recognition obtained by his work exemplifies the importance of transparency and collaboration in academic research, in contrast to the usual practices of the sector. “Our research seeks to contribute to knowledge, not competition,” concludes Herrera, emphasizing his vision on science as a collective effort.
