The ultimate load capacity of a single-layer barrel vault space truss is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The vault has a novel bracing system in that the diagonal bracing members are out of the plane of the chords, forming a pyramid system with each base in the plane of the chords. The test model is constructed from steel tubes with all-welded joints. Under an unsymmetrical patch load the vault is seen to perform well, as it is able to develop the axial load capacity of the struts, without the need for them to act in flexure. A local mechanism operates in the region of the loads, but no overall collapse occurs.
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