«La ballena vuelve al museo» proceso de diseño y cálculo de una estructura ligera

Abstract

The text describes the design process and calculation of a light metal structure that supports an even lighter one: the skeleton of a whale, a specimen that has been preserved for more than 150 years. Both of them are suspended from another bidirectional and unique metallic structure that solves large spans: the roof of the Forum 2004 building in Barcelona. To find the most suitable solution, a non-linear calculation program was used. Moreover it has been achieved that the main structure to work in tension, removing the possibility of buckling, thereby reducing the resulting section needed to work in Flexural strength, so the structure could be hidden inside the skeleton. During the design phase several proposals were considered to make it easier to transport the pieces as well as to weld or join them. The text also describes the site works, which were completed in just a weekend in order to support one of the most beloved icons of Barcelona: "La balena Brava".