Hallspanning

Hallspanning is a term used in architecture and structural engineering to describe the concept and practice of spanning large interior halls. It denotes the design problem of creating a roof, floor, or deck that covers a wide horizontal distance between supports while meeting structural, acoustic, and environmental requirements. The term is more common in Germanic-language contexts, where variants such as Hallenspannweite or related terms are used, and in architectural discourse as a colloquial reference to the clear span of a hall.

In practice, hall spanning involves selecting structural systems capable of spanning wide spans without interior columns, such as steel trusses, reinforced concrete flat slabs with drop panels, timber frame systems, or space frame structures. The choice depends on factors including load (live, dead, snow or wind), architectural intent, buildability, prefabrication, and maintenance. Key considerations include minimizing deflection to avoid perceptible movements, controlling acoustics and echo, permitting daylighting or artificial lighting, and ensuring safe egress and fire resistance.

Historical developments show a progression from stone vaults and timber roof arches to modern steel and concrete systems that enable clear spans of dozens or even hundreds of meters in halls like airports, exhibition centers, sports arenas, and industrial facilities. In contemporary practice, hall spanning is a core concern in the layout of large interior spaces, influencing aesthetics, functionality, and structural efficiency.