FORENSIC EVALUATION OF HISTORIC SHELL STRUCTURE: DEVELOPMENT OF IN-SITU GEOMETRY
- ,
- Katrina L. Springerc(Author),
- Joseph A. Robersonc(Author),
- Jackson M. Carrollc(Author),
- Mark D. Hegbloomc(Author)
- ,
- ,
- cUnknown name
Open access
Abstract
When completed in 1961, the roof of St. Charles Church became the largest unbalanced hyperbolic paraboloid structure in the world and the only shell structure in Spokane, WA. Situated on an 8-acre site on the north side of the city, St. Charles is a modernist structure designed through partnership of Funk, Molander & Johnson and architect William C. James. This asymmetric structure is over 45.72m (150ft) and utilizes folded edge beams that taper from 1067mm (42in) at the base to a 76.2mm (3in) thickness at the topmost edge using regular strength reinforcing steel and concrete. The novelty of the shell structure serves both architectural and structural design criteria by delivering a large, uninterrupted interior sanctuary space in materially and economically efficient manner.