Teaching of Space Structures with Initial Stresses

Abstract

Teaching of space structures with initial stresses requires an adapted pedagogy. This paper describes some important features of such a teaching, which is delivered for architects, engineers and sometimes artists. The indispensable dialogue between theoretical and experimental methods is underlined. Some characteristics related to the so-called “parametric method” used to understand and design space structures are described. Original pedagogical experiences are presented: bi-cable model, graph theory, formfinding procedure, and construction of prototypes. Teaching of space structures with initial stresses has been mainly included and experimented for more than ten years, both at the University of Montpellier and at the School of Architecture, in academic courses the contents of which are presented.