ABSTRACT
In the creation of structural frameworks, aluminium competes directly with steel. Because of the differences in physical characteristics between the two metals, aluminium can only compete economically and effectively where full advantage is taken of the metal’s excellent strength-to-weight ratio, or where light weight is a critical factor, as in off-shore oil rig structures. The characteristics of aluminium have been put to impressive effect with the development of spectacular space-frame structures of which Triodetic is notable. Triodetic structures consist of an assembly of aluminium tubular members coupled together using patented joints. The Triodetic space frame construction has been used for exciting projects on a world-wide basis, including the giant domes of Shah Alam state mosque at Selangor, Malaysia, a free-standing double-curvature feature roof for a marina at Niagara Falls, Canada, and by contrast, a glazed pyramid roof over a leisure centre at Romford, Essex.
