Subject:
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Re: Spanning large areas
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.build.arch
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Date:
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Thu, 13 Apr 2000 00:07:45 GMT
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Viewed:
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1098 times
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Cool idea.
I think I tend to be overly anal about correct color matching, so I often
overlook the use of multi-colored "scrap" even when it won't show. I really
need to go this route because it's too expensive to build structural members
so that they are completely color-coordinated.
Brad
Mathieu Godbout <xynjian@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Fsw019.5IE@lugnet.com...
> I think that the technic beams method is the best, but there's also • another
> one you can use if you have lots of plates.
>
> First, make your roof shape out of plates: this is your roof's first • layer.
> Use only plates of the same color as your roof and place them upside down • on
> the table.
>
> Then, with plates of any color, add two more complete layers of plates on • the
> first one so that you end up with a 1 brick thick roof.
>
> Also, this technique lets you draw paterns out of plates on your roof (to • make
> an helicopter landing site or whatnot)
>
> In lugnet.build.arch, Brad Hamilton writes:
> > Most stock LEGO sets use large, thin plates to create roofs and • second-story
> > floors.
> >
> > In some cases (like Fort Legorado, 6769), they have created super-large
> > plates (black in this case) to do the job.
> >
> > What happens when you need to span a LARGER area than this? Plates are • only
> > so big. Also, it is often desireable to leave the back of a building • open
> > to let in more light and to save on bricks. This makes the structural
> > challenge of spanning the roof (or adding an extra story) all the more
> > challenging.
> >
> > I thought I'd share some of my techniques. I'd like to hear about ideas
> > you've had for solving this problem.
> >
> > BOUND PLATES
> >
> > This is the cheapest and weakest means of spanning a large area. Using • this
> > technique, you simply attach a series of plates together by attaching
> > smaller plates above and/or below the main set. It is easy to span any • size
> > or shape using this technique, but the resulting "roof" is very weak.
> > Generally, you can only put mini-figs or other small decorations on the
> > roof.
> >
> > In this hotel model ( http://members.home.net/hmltn1/city2/hotel.htm ), • I
> > used this technique for the large roof in the middle of the building. • You
> > might wonder how the sky-scraper part is supported. This section resides
> > directly on top of the lower-story wall supports, so it is solid. The • side
> > and rear portions of the roof are weak sections of bound plates.
> >
> > CORBELLED ROOF/ARCH
> >
> > This mechanism is based on a primative architectural technique called a
> > "corbelled arch." This method was used heavily by the Mayans in their
> > architecture. In this technique, bricks are successively projected at
> > greater lengths from the wall until they meet.
> >
> > This technique is reasonbly strong, especially if you offset the • projections
> > from one direction with an equal force from the opposite direction.
> >
> > In my aqarium model ( http://members.home.net/hmltn1/city2/aquarium.htm -
> > See the third thumbnail picture on the bottom of the page ), you can see • how
> > I used this technique on the upper stories to create a dome-like effect • with
> > yellow 2x4's.
> >
> > TRAIN CARRIAGES
> >
> > The flat train carriages are stiffer than normal plates because they have • a
> > thin flange that projects downwards. In my older castle designs, I used
> > these to support the lower floor.
> >
> > Of course, this technique is only midly better than the "bound plate" • method
> > and, given the expense of train plates today (I traded mine for other • parts)
> > it is not recommended.
> >
> > PRE-FAB ARCHES
> >
> > LEGO introduced fairly large pre-fabricated arches a few years ago. • These
> > are 1x12x3 and come in a variety of colors. They are available in fairly
> > reasonable qualities in sets like Knight Lords Castle (6097). These sets
> > make for pretty architectural facing, but they can also be used • internally
> > to make strong architectural supports.
> >
> > I used arches to hold up the entire upper section of my castle
> > http://members.home.net/hmltn1/city2/castle.htm ). The arches are able • to
> > support a great deal of weight and they look pretty as well.
> >
> > In my police station, I made much more subtle use of the arch
> > http://members.home.net/hmltn1/city2/polleft.htm ) . You can see the • dim
> > outlines of a white arch behind the two greeen pointy windows (actually
> > space windshield pieces). In this case, I had two separate portions of • the
> > structure and a wide gap in between. I wanted the gap open so that the
> > window could let light into the interior. The arch tied the two pieces
> > together and provided a strong support for the other 7 stories or so of • the
> > building.
> >
> > "MEGA-BRICKS"
> >
> > LEGO makes a few 1-brick thick (rather than 1/3 brick thick) plates. • Most
> > often, the largest of these plates come in green (like in the castle sets
> > 6093 and 6097). These make strong, simple supports. The catch is that
> > green isn't always a desireable color for upper stories of a building. To
> > get around this problem, you can build your walls so that they are 1 • brick
> > wide than the mega-brick. Right before applying the mega-brick, corbel • out
> > 1-stud (2x4's work well). Then, put 1xX's (like 1x12, 1x16, 1x8 ...)
> > around the mega-brick. This "hides" the green color, but you are left • with
> > an extremely strong structural support.
> >
> > TECHNIC BEAMS
> >
> > Technic beams are useful for spanning because they can be bound together • to
> > make extremely long, strong composit beams. The 8, 10, 12, and 16 stud
> > varieties are ideal for this. The simplest way to bind two beams • together
> > is to lay them out in series, and the attach another beam using "pins" • where
> > the other two come together. The newer "black" pins work better, but I
> > don't have too many, so I often use the "gray" variety.
> >
> > I used this technique in many buildings including my bank
> > uilding( http://members.home.net/hmltn1/city2/midtown.htm ). The bottom
> > part of this building is much wider than the top part. The cool thing • about
> > using technic beams is that I was able to combine them to exactly the • length
> > I wanted. Also, I used red beams. This way, the ends can actually • project
> > into the outer wall of the structure and they look just like normal • bricks.
> > You can't see any trace of the beams in the final building, but the
> > structure is extremely strong.
> >
> > Please respond with other techniques you have used to span large areas. • I'm
> > always looking for new ideas!
> >
> > If you want to see more of my models, here is the link to the main page:
> > http://members.home.net/bhamilto1/lego.htm
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: Spanning large areas
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| I think that the technic beams method is the best, but there's also another one you can use if you have lots of plates. First, make your roof shape out of plates: this is your roof's first layer. Use only plates of the same color as your roof and (...) (25 years ago, 12-Apr-00, to lugnet.build.arch)
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