Folded Plate Structures: Types, Benefits, and Applications

What Is Folded Plate?

When assemblies of flat plates are rigidly connected together with each other along their edges, such setup is known as Folded Plate. Folded Plates are connected to in such a way that the structural system is capable of carrying loads without the need of additional supporting beams along mutual edges.

The first Roof which was constructed using folded structure was prepared by the engineer eudene Freyssinet in 1923 as an aircraft hangar at Orly airport in Paris.

Folded Plate Structure:

1. Folded Plate Structure is those structures where flat plates or slabs are assembled in different directions and are joined together along their longitudinal edges.
2. In Folded Plate Structure the structural system does not need additional supporting beams along mutual edges and is capable of carrying loads without supporting beams.
3. The technique of Folded Plate Structure originated in Germany in the 1920s. Later this technique of Folded Plate Structure became popular in Russia and The United States during the 1930s for the construction purpose of roofs of Industrial warehouses and public buildings.
4. Now a day’s Folded Plate Structure is generally made up of Cast in Situ, precast reinforced concrete, or steel plates.
5. Folded Plate Structure has many benefits for construction purposes.
6. Firstly, the plates or slabs that are used in Folded Plate Structures are simpler to manufacture than other shells like cylindrical shells.
7. Secondly, the framework requirement for Folded Plate Structures is relatively simple than other structures.
8. Thirdly, fewer materials are required for the construction purpose of Folded Plate Structures; however, they take more materials than curved shells if there are more bending requirements involved in the construction.
9. Finally, Folded Plate Structures are economical over long spans that need to be free of internal columns as Folded Plate Structures have an intrinsic rigidity and high load-carrying capacity than other structures.

Folded Plate Roof Construction Details:

1. The construction details of Folded Plate Roof are first, precast prestressed folded plate roof elements are casted on a flat surface with hinges between each panel.
2. Then the Folded Plate Roof elements are transported flat and then opened to the desired angle during erection on the construction sites.
3. Then the joints are connected and cast in place to unify the structure.
4. This construction method and design rationale was developed in China and now being widely used in Honduras for both public buildings and industrial buildings.

Folded Plate Staircase:

1. In modern construction of buildings Folded Plate Staircase are used as they have a thin and sleek structure.
2. Though Folded Plate Staircase looks good they are expensive compare to other categories of staircases due to the additional cost of centering and alignment of the framework.
3. During the construction process of Folded Plate Staircase, the right amount of counterweight is needed for the stability of the structure.
4. Now a day’s folded plate staircase runs alongside an exposed wall to connect the two floors of a building.

What Are Folded Plate Roofs?

1. Folded Plate Roofs are a type of folded plate structure that is chosen for their durability and high weight-bearing capacity.
2. Folded Plate Roofs are easy to assemble as they consist of flat slabs or plates that are inclined in different directions and they are joined along their edges at the top.
3. In Germany in the 1920s the first Folded Plate Roofs were used in construction of mainly very large factory buildings such as coal bunkers.
4. In United States in the 1930s the technology of Folded Plate Roofs was used in the construction of warehouses and it quickly became the preferred roofing solution for really large commercial and industrial buildings.

Types of Folded Plate

Types of Folded Plate are the following.

1. Prismatic: Rectangular plates.
2. Pyramidal: Non-rectangular plates.
3. Prismoidal: Triangular or trapezoidal plates.

FAQ on Folded Plate Structures

What Is a Folded Plate?

A Folded Plate is an assembly of flat plates that are rigidly connected along their edges, creating a structural system capable of carrying loads without the need for additional supporting beams along mutual edges.

Who Constructed the First Folded Plate Roof, and When?

The first folded plate roof was constructed by engineer Eugène Freyssinet in 1923 for an aircraft hangar at Orly Airport in Paris.

What Is a Folded Plate Structure?

Folded Plate Structures are systems where flat plates or slabs are assembled in various directions and joined together along their longitudinal edges, enabling them to carry loads without additional supporting beams.

Where and When Did the Technique of Folded Plate Structure Originate?

The technique of Folded Plate Structure originated in Germany in the 1920s and later became popular in Russia and the United States during the 1930s for constructing industrial warehouses and public buildings.

What Materials Are Commonly Used in Folded Plate Structures Today?

Today, Folded Plate Structures are generally made of cast-in-situ, precast reinforced concrete, or steel plates.

What Are the Benefits of Using Folded Plate Structures in Construction?

The benefits include:

1. Simpler manufacturing compared to other shell structures.
2. Relatively simple framework requirements.
3. Economical over long spans without internal columns due to intrinsic rigidity and high load-carrying capacity.

How Are Folded Plate Roofs Constructed?

Folded Plate Roof elements are first cast on a flat surface with hinges between each panel. They are then transported flat and opened to the desired angle during erection on construction sites. Finally, the joints are connected and cast in place to unify the structure.

Where Has the Construction Method for Folded Plate Roofs Been Developed and Widely Used?

This construction method and design rationale were developed in China and are now widely used in Honduras for both public and industrial buildings.

What Are Folded Plate Staircases, and Why Are They Used?

Folded Plate Staircases are modern constructions with a thin and sleek structure. They are used for their aesthetic appeal, despite being more expensive than other staircases due to additional centering and alignment costs. They require a counterweight for stability and often run alongside exposed walls to connect floors.

What Are Folded Plate Roofs?

Folded Plate Roofs are a type of folded plate structure known for their durability and high weight-bearing capacity. They are easy to assemble and consist of flat slabs or plates inclined in different directions, joined along their edges.

Where and When Were Folded Plate Roofs First Used?

The first Folded Plate Roofs were used in Germany in the 1920s for large factory buildings such as coal bunkers. In the 1930s, the technology was adopted in the United States for warehouses and large commercial and industrial buildings.

What Are the Types of Folded Plates?

The types of Folded Plates include:

1. Prismatic: Rectangular plates.
2. Pyramidal: Non-rectangular plates.
3. Prismoidal: Triangular or trapezoidal plates.