Abstract
This research was undertaken as an effort to develop a construction system which solves some of the problems inherent with the construction of sculptural and fluid shapes. The concept involves the development of a reinforcing steel skeleton In such a way that it can be fabricated on a horizontal plane and then be lifted and warped into a final and predetermined position for a spray covering of concrete or other material. The fundamental Ideas for this construction process were conceived while working in the author's back yard workshop. These early thoughts were expressed in a number of small wire and plaster of par is models. The first small models produced enough potentials for a small prototype structure to be constructed at Houston, Texas, by the Texas Bureau of Lathing and Plastering. This small structure was not finished but rather was used to determine whether the original ideas were feasible in actual construction. With these preliminary investigations showing promise, the author applied for patent rights on the construction process and received a patent pending status in June of I960. Since one of the most fertile areas for the application of new construction techniques is in the field of school construction, Educational Facilities Laboratories, Incorporated, sponsored the investigation of the potentials of the Lift-Shape system. The purpose of this thesis is to present the results of the construction of a fifty foot span parabolic dome of revolution built by the Lift-Shape process. The conclusions reached upon completion of this research project were many and varied. The most Important conclusion, however, was that the new construction process employed was workable.
Marsh, James Hyde (1963). Construction of thin shell architectural forms by the lift-shape process. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1963 -THESIS -M365.