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Stuttgart Airport
Structural Case
Study
 April 26, 2017 (/blog/2017/4/26/stuttgart-airport)

B AC KG R O U N D

Stuttgart International Airport is a public airport located in Germany that was first
constructed to be a German Airbase in 1938 replacing an existing air strip. After
World War ll, the Airport was seized by the US Army until 1948.

In the 1990s, the original terminal was demolished and then replaced with four new
interconnected terminals featuring a spacious floor plan and efficient
transportation layout to manage a maximum of 12 million passengers yearly.
Designed by Architecture group Gerkan, Mag and Partners, each of the four
terminals have separate check-in and bagging stations creating small transport
networks for both people and luggage to be in close proximity with one of the
 eight jet bridges. After being dropped off, the path to boarding the plane is very
straight forward and linear, making navigation through this international hot spot
simple to understand.

What makes this airport unique is that for a relatively small airport, the use of bio-
mimicry in the light weight structural members creates a powerful blend with the
built and natural environment giving the entire building an open and inspiring
vibe. The concept of Biomimicry, considered as the science and philosophy of
learning from nature , is a source of architectural design inspiration with different
approaches undertaken by architects and engineers.
 STRUCTURAL DESIGN

The Stuttgart Airport uses Tree-like

Support Structures in the entry
terminals to create an ascending open
warehouse-like space. From walking
through the main entrance to checking
in bags to approaching the gates, the
height of the roof increases providing
the subtle ease of orientation smooth
flow as the guest prepares for take
off. The entire roof is divided into
twelve sections partitioned by skylights, erected as a two-way slabs. Each of these
areas are supported by the steel tree-like structures. These "columns" gather all
the loads passing down through the branches which are translated into the trunk
and then down to the foundation.

One single support contains four attached tubular poles (that form the trunk of the
tree) and spread into three different levels (forms into the branches). They are
distributed to carry the roof loads in compression with minimal bending moments.
The branches direct the forces into smaller resultant points and then transfer into
the four tubular poles that acts as one. The advantage of using this Tree-like
structure systems is that the distances between the loading points and the
support system is minimized.
 While the column structure is termed as “tree-like”, it would be more correct to
refer to the structure as an umbel systems, where the total load is distributed to
one point and from there transmit the total load via a single member to a support
point, the point of application of the reaction force providing total equilibrium. A
pin-jointed connection between the support point and the roof structure it is
holding prevents movement between these two componets and enforces stability.

Umbel structures start to split and divide loads that meet at

nodes. There are many variations to these structures that can
be determined by the number of tiers and number of nodes
needed for support.
 UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES

Trees in nature have inspired many

forms of architecture and without a
doubt, they have influenced the
construction of the Stuttgart Airport.
However, the inspiration ends at its
appearance because these "branching"
structures cannot be compared with
that of a natural tree. In nature, tree
branches are subject to mending forces which would negatively impact constructed
tree-like structures. The main underlying principle is the focus of reducing the mass
of structural materials while increasing efficiency. This concept of "lightweight"
structure requires less material, introducing optimal calculations to determine
structural strength. In simple terms, the basic rules to follow when designing with
light weight members is to...

Avoid bending stresses and moments.

Only carry compression forces over short distances to minimize the chance
for stability problems and unnecessary added mass.
Contain and incorporate compression forces over long distances into self
stablizing systems.

Structurally speaking, what makes the tree-like support branches holding up the
roof so unique is how large of a span the column holds in comparison to its
footprint at ground level. This is a product of the open-ground concept that can
only really be achieced with "branching" structure systems.

BUILDING SIGNIFICANCE
This building effectively showcases a
visible structural system that is vital
toward the expression of the building.
What truly makes this building is that
un-like real trees, the smaller,
outermost branches of this structure system is able to carry relatively heavy loads.
This all comes down to calculations that optimize direct load performance and
reduce bending moments. The whole system is built to act like one unit. This umbel
system creates large unobstructed areas close to the foundation while providing
closely spaced supports at the roof level. Structurally speaking, what makes the
tree-like support branches holding up the roof so unique is how large of a span the
column holds in comparison to its footprint at ground level.

I N S P I R AT I O N A L TA K E - AWAYS

With so many ways to create impact

architecture, bio-mimicry holds a
powerful connection to the importance
of natural intuition. Airports especially
have an importance role in architecture
in regards to a national expression.
Being the first contact with visitors
from all over the world, airport designs
should have an attractive and vibrant
appearance to welcome all visitors.

The shapes of trees are complex and fractal-like, and they have a set of physical,
mechanical and biological functions. The relation between them always draws
attention of human beings throughout history and, focusing on the relation
between shape and structural strength, architects have designed a number of
treelike structures, referred as dendriforms. The replication and adoption of the
 treelike patterns for constructing architectural structures have been varied in
different time periods based on the existing and advanced knowledge and
available technologies.

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