Thin-Shell Concrete

Copyright © 2021 Scott D. Murdock



Shelters
Highway Rest Area, Jolly, Texas
33-51-58 N, 98-20-23 W

Structural Engineer: unknown

Architect: unknown

Builder: unknown

Configuration: Hyperbolic paraboloid inverted umbrella

Measurements: Each shelter measures 16 feet by 16 feet

Purpose: Rest area shelter

Year: c. 1965

I lack information on who designed and built these shelters, and when. These are the only inverted umbrella park or rest area shelters I have seen (so far).

Notice that these roofs are shaped like an inverted umbrella, with the concrete panels sloping out and up from the center column. This keeps the concrete in compression, unlike the "mushroom" canopies that keep the concrete in tension (see Colby Rest Area Shelters for an example).

General view 1 of Jolly Rest Area Shelters showing the thin-shell concrete roof in April 2019.
General view 2 of Jolly Rest Area Shelters showing the thin-shell concrete roof in April 2019.
General view 3 of Jolly Rest Area Shelters showing the thin-shell concrete roof in April 2019.
General view 4 of Jolly Rest Area Shelters showing the thin-shell concrete roof in April 2019.
General view 5 of Jolly Rest Area Shelters showing the thin-shell concrete roof in April 2019.
General view 6 of Jolly Rest Area Shelters showing the thin-shell concrete roof in April 2019.
General view 7 of Jolly Rest Area Shelters showing the thin-shell concrete roof in April 2019.
General view 8 of Jolly Rest Area Shelters showing the thin-shell concrete roof in April 2019.
General view 9 of Jolly Rest Area Shelters showing the thin-shell concrete roof in April 2019.

This image captures all three of the shelters.

General view 10 of Jolly Rest Area Shelters showing the thin-shell concrete roof in April 2019.

The author visited in April 2019.

References

Personal observation only.


Updated April 18, 2021