Hypar (hyperbolic paraboloid) shell element

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This image was created by digitising a negative in the collection provided by Mr. C. Gourishankar's family. The negative was in an envelope marked 'Civil Engineering', and no annotations were present. Use the links provided below to view the images created from the other negatives in the same envelope.

We know that Mr. Gourishankar was commissioned by Mr. Hans Wagner and the ICC (now IC&SR) to photo-document equipment from various laboratories in IIT Madras during the 1970s. This image was possibly shot then.

This image is of a hypar (hyperbolic paraboloid) shell element used for roofing. It may be made from precast concrete in ferro cement. Due to its small size, it is probable that it is a hypar foundation piece. Hyperbolic paraboloids are surfaces that have a combined structure of hyperbolas and parabolas, resembling the shape of saddles, allowing for easy use in structures and architecture.

A similar photograph (ID: 001/0346/IMG_105806) has also been found in the same album.

The Heritage Centre thanks Mr. Shyam Damodaran, alumnus (Civil Engineering, 1985) for the information provided.

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Collection:

Gourishankar Collection

Album Name:

Civil Engineering

Photograph ID:

001/0346/IMG_105815

Album ID:

0346

Photographer:

C. Gourishankar (1926-2002). A geologist by qualification, Gourishankar started his career as a photographer after working for many years with the Geological Survey of India. In everything that he did, Gourishankar strove to achieve flawlessness and impeccable quality. Thus his photography too was characterised by this drive for perfection. Every photograph that Gourishankar took was meticulously planned and shot, and printed with diligence and patience. Gourishankar carried out most of the official photography at IIT Madras in the 1960s.