The concept of Infinite Polyhedral Lattice (1.P.L) Space Structures was developed by the author in the seventies and the eighties and patented in Germany (-1986) and the USA (-2003). The essence of the concept is in employing periodic I.P.L geometries as multi-layer bar&joint plate structures. The number of layers depends on the particular selected geometry of the I.P.L.
In the case of a plate-truss, based on the Uniform Hexavalent 33.4.3.4; Lattice (which could be described as a loose packing of 34 and (3.4)2), the vertices are distributed over six parallel layers, resulting in a structural depth H, five times that of the double layer ‘octet’ space lattice.
The 33.4.3.43 1.P.L plate structure is ‘just stable’, with spatial density of 1,5922a/a, (about 18,5% of the Octet’s), meaning that the projected area densities of the six-layered 33.4.3.43 plate and the double layer octet plate are nearly the same.
Structural analysis of the I.P.L plate was performed by P.Kneen (1971); Y.Tene (1975); H.Sanchez, of MERO L.td (1986); M.Frances (1990+91) and Minkov, Bogdanov & Taran (1991+93).
All with converging results, proving the high structural performance of the particular 33.4.3.43 1.P.L plate structure, in terms of the attainable span size, structural dead weight, rigidity and stiffness.
It is possible, with some sacrifice of periodicity, to transform 1.P.L plate geometries into cylindrical-vaulted and dome-like structures.
Preliminary calculations and structural analyses have shown that the attainable spans can reach into 400/m for the vaulted solutions and into 100Om (!) for geodesic dome application, with just 110kg/sqm
of dead weight.
A spatial application into a vertical cylinder tower of 1,3 km’s (SNAP TOWER for an innovative electrical power plant) was calculated, with results which were well beyond any other alternative structural
solution.
prominent feature of the 1.P.L solutions and direct result of their A low spatial density arrangement is in its inner space utilization for many possible functional needs.
Some applications, in the form of high rise office-residence tower:s, bridge avenues and the like, are just an illustration of possible future promise and developments.
An important insight: It’s not the amount of material or its kind but rather the way it is distributed in space which counts most.
Space is a primary structural resource.