Transformable rigid roofs

Abstract

During the last years an increasing demand of solutions to cover eventually public spaces is forcing interesting research to provide adecuated designs ables to build roofs with possibiliities of being extended or folded as much as possible, twith the most simple devices, and in a short time. At this moment a lot of different proposals are being experienced but unfortunatelly not any of them have been extensively published and there is a lack of a general approach to the subject. This paper try to stablish at first a simple clasiffication to encourage architects and engineers to work in this unexplored field. Structures based in the accordion, umnbrellas, sliding panels, diaphragms, hinges, scissors, and others shortly described and conveniently illustrated. Somme of them have been constructed while others remain inside the theoretical research yet.