One of the modern methods for covering large floor areas is the provision of so called space structures, constructed in the main from various configurations of hollow tube sections. Alternatively, membrane roof structures either inflatable or supported by cable networks or indeed a combination of both, may be used. Within the first category, steel framed structures forming cylindrical and spherical surfaces as well as single and double layer grids have been thoroughly investigated.

However, steel framed structures following the surface of hyperbolic paraboloids have received little attention as roofing structures. The main object of this paper is to present not only a method of analysis but also to examine the correlation between the theoretical and experimental structural behaviour of a steel model of such a structure, so that the adequacy of the method of analysis for design purposes may be judged. In this preliminary investigation only one type of steel hypar structure will be considered, namely that in which all four corners are supported on columns.

The actual roof covering could be either standard flexible metal corrugated sheeting or plastic membrane sheeting, though this is not considered herein in any detail.

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