Investigation of Diagrid Structures Over Gherkin Tower

Abstract

21st.Century witnesses enormous technological development effecting Architecture also: New and improved building materials and construction techniques, highly innovative development of structural systems utilizing advanced computer software leads to significant novelties in built environment, worldwide. The ‘Diagrid Structure’, having a hyperboloid form, of which the first design and implementation was applied by V. Shukhov in, as early as, 1896. Both due to diagrid and to its doubly curved form, it proved to achieve greater lateral strength, rigidity and efficiency than rectangular frame system, decreasing the amount of the required material, besides offering the possibility of prefabrication and ease of assembly. Although the first diagrid structure was built in 1963- the IBM building in Pittsburgh- it did not utilize a doubly curved form. The system was not widely recognized until the Gherkin Tower designed by Sir N. Foster was completed in London, in 2003, displaying the twinning of architectural and structural design.