Reciprocal Roof

Reciprocal rafters create spiral energetic and tensegris strength

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• reciprocal roof
• oculus
• tensegrity
• compression ring
• spiral rafters
• ecotecture
• architecture
• green roof
• spiral nest
• home for the soul
• ecosophy

[TheDudeRulez09]

Reciprocal roofs are by far stronger than conventional roofs, they are not very hard to do, the only issue I have found is centering it perfectly.

[rmcdaniel423]

@TheDudeRulez09 Does this require any sort of lateral buttressing at the top of the exterior walls?

[edwardnorman1]

@rmcdaniel423 Yes, circular walls are inherently more stabil vertically, but the beauty of the reciprocal roof is, at least in part, that the top compression ring creates a tensegris form which holds the rafters at their exact pitch. This means that the force of the roof on the walls is purely vetical; no lateral force at all. Especially after the roof is decked, becoming a solid cone. Make a model with 4 or more chopsticks and what I say will be apparent. Thanks for your interest.

[edwardnorman1]

@TheDudeRulez09 If your walls form a circle, then centering the occulus is a simple matter of making all your rafters equal length; they will then center perfectly. The Limestone Spiral Nest is an asymetrical form so the occulus is placed according to design concerns beyond a geometric center.

[readmedottext]

@edwardnorman1

That's good to know. I've got you bookmarked now. :D

[edwardnorman1]

@readmedottext I am available for design work.

[readmedottext]

@edwardnorman1

Thank you. I asked as my wife and I are considering building a house as a seriss of round buildings, cordoowd I think, and we are looking for an easy, but strong roof to put up. I'm at a loss, as yurt roofs are all I know, when it comes to circular. This might just be what we are looking for.

[TheDudeRulez09]

@edwardnorman1 i hear you but for some reason i am always a bit off center but it might be my personality....

[edwardnorman1]

@readmedottext The rafters bear the vertical load one against the others in the compression ring as a tensegris unit. They each have two bolts in them to prevent any lateral slippage. The roof is a unitized whole ; after the planking it becomes a seamless cone; the pitch is heald by two systems. Virtually indestructable by construction engineering standards.

[readmedottext]

It looks great, but I must ask, is this a design where a single point of failure will bring it all down?

[TheDudeRulez09]

@rmcdaniel423 none at all, the circular wall itself provides all the buttressing needed, you can add a bonding beam on top of the wall to add extra strength, also some people set posts under the ends of the rafters and incorporate them into their walls.