The Arup Journal - Vol 1, No 1 - Folded Plate Roofs

Oct 24, 2026

A 1967 issue of The Arup Journal presenting an architectural and engineering discussion of folded plate roofs. The article opens with a practical “what is a folded plate” explanation, then outlines a simple folded plate “recipe” and shows structural variations used for roofs. It evaluates folded plates across economy, functional suitability, and visual/environmental appeal, and cautions against gimmickry. The issue further covers structural analysis concepts, design method references, related shell-roof parallels, and concrete construction techniques and typical spans.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Folded plate roofs

Folded plate recipe and definitions

Structural analysis

Construction in concrete

THE ARUPJOURNAL JANUARY 1967 THEARUPJOURNAL Vol1,No.1 Published January 1967 byOve Arup &Partners,Consulting Engineers13 Fitzroy Street,London,W.1. Editor:Rosemary Devine Art Editor:Desmond Wyeth Contents The cover,front and back,shows folded plates,especially drawn by Poul Beckmann 2 FOLDED PLATE ROOFSDavid Dowrick 15 FENCHURCH STREETJohn Anderson Folded plate roofs* David Dowrick *Editorial note: D.V.,this article will be defended by David Dowrick at the secondTechnical Staff Meeting on 8 February.Everyone is welcome to attendand contribute to the discussion. GENERAL What is a folded plate?If we answer this quite truthfullythe answer is almost any structure apart from a columnthat we care to name. FOLDED PLATE RECIPE Minimum ingredients 1.Two flat structural elements(capable of taking shear intheir own plane). 2.One common boundary between them. 3.One rigid support. Making Procedure 1.Place the two elements together,but not in the sameplane. 2.Join the two elements firmly together along the commonboundary. 3.Attach both parts of the resulting 3D structure firmlyto the support. 4.Allow to stand,and observe. If what you are looking at is similar to figure 1(a)you nowhave a simple folded plate structure. From this simple beginning a great variety of structurescan be built up including silos,north-light and non-prismaticroofs,box beams for bridges(figs.1b-1e).By way of Common Boundary_ la Simple folded plate structure 1b Hopper Ic North light roof 1d Box beam le Non prismatic roof definition,a prismatic roof is one composed of rectangularplates joined together,such that each plate is parallel to acommon longitudinal axis.The variations of folded platestructures are numerous and this discussion will be limitedto roofs. Because of the simple physical concept and the almostunlimited geometric configurations,this medium can bevery popular with architects.The inherent plasticpossibilities and the creation of various types of internaland external space are great attractions to them and as theroofs can be made to span long distances without columns,free planning is facilitated.Added to the spatial freedomsare those of surface texture,as the structure can be madefrom various materials,concrete,steel or timber.The engineer also enjoys the use of folded plates,thoughnot all of the reasons are altruistic.On occasions he isable to span large spaces.The spaces and analysis may beintriguing and in some offices folded plates will be a changefrom routine.It may also involve him in an unfamiliarmaterial and new detailing techniques. As for the client he also may have reasons for satisfaction. 1.Economy.Folded plates tend to be efficient structurallyand simple to fabricate (plane surfaces)though neitheris necessarily true. 2.Functional suitability.He may very well get his shareof what Ove Arup calls 'commodity',whether designedby Arups or not! 3.Visual and environmental pleasure.Such a roof mayprovide relief from monotony or even positive On the negative side of the argument,folded plates can betreated in a gimmicky fashion,by any of the perpetrators,be they architect,engineer or client.Let us not use themtoo facilely.Economy and commodity should always besatisfied.Unfortunately they won't always. Folded plate roofs are popular for industrial buildings,churches,schools,exhibition halls and various places ofassembly,for all of which they are well suited.Themodern theory is only about 40 years old,started byGerman engineers particularly Craemer (2),but for somerather obscure reasons they seem more popular in the NewWorld than elsewhere.They are widely used in the UnitedStates and various Commonwealth countries,especially inAfrica.In the United States labour costs are high,in theother countries mainly low,so the reason for the New Worldpartiality to folded plates is not a simple economicdifference from Europe. We have broad experience in folded plate ro

FAQs

What is a folded plate, according to the journal’s explanation?

It defines a folded plate broadly as almost any structure except a column, based on the general idea that the load paths and plate geometry create “folded” structural action.

How does the article describe constructing a simple folded plate structure?

It specifies a minimum set of ingredients—two flat structural elements, a common boundary, and one rigid support—then provides a step-by-step procedure: assemble the elements out of plane, join firmly along the common boundary, attach the resulting 3D structure to the support, and observe stability.

What are key considerations for using folded plate roofs, and what cautions does the text add?

The discussion lists economy, functional suitability (including designers’ sense of delivering “commodity”), and visual/environmental pleasure. It warns that folded plates can be misused in a gimmicky way and notes that economy and commodity are not always guaranteed.

Oct 24, 2026

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