Economics of Shallow Concrete Shells.

A cost study was performed to determine the economic practicability of large concrete shells for use in naval shore facilities. To accomplish this, the cost of shallow concrete shells is compared with the cost of three types of commonly used floor and roof systems. Rise-to-span ratios were limited to less than or equal to 0.1. The results of the study show that shallow concrete shells cost less than the comparative roofs of 50- to 80-foot span and floors of 50- to 300-foot span. Examples of typical applications are given and practical aspects of embodying funicular shells in a complete structural system are discussed. Author