During the last 15 years in
Russia carrying metal
structures of the coverings of the new type appeared to
become
widely spread: space block panel systems, in which prestressed membrane
works as a part of the block’s chords and as a boarding surface simultaneously.
In the Melnikov Central Research and Design Institute of Steel
Structures complex experimental--theoretical investigations are made, certain amount of
large objects is designed and carried out. Up to the present time simular
coverings are carried out in the form of spans from 24 to 84 m. Project
elaborations show its rationality for the spans up to 120 m, including the
production erections with a suspended cranes.