Tie rods are integral in structural engineering, primarily for transmitting traffic loads and alleviating compression forces within a structure. These slender components, resembling cables or metal bars, offer seamless integration into a space, lending themselves to visually appealing designs through repetition. They have applications ranging from furniture design to large-scale urban infrastructure projects, including suspension and cable-stayed bridges.
In contrast to trusses, which undergo both tensile and compressive forces, tie rods predominantly serve as structural elements within a framework. Typically, they are integral to portal systems and are primarily responsible for handling normal forces. They operate without being subject to bending moments or shear forces, offering a wide range of applications for architects and engineers. These applications include creating extensive spans, supporting facades, efficiently distributing wind loads, shaping structural support, and even serving aesthetic purposes. Below, we have gathered eight Brazilian projects that use this technique on different scales.
