When people appreciate sculpture, they usually only pay attention to its shape, luster and surface craftsmanship.But in fact, most large-scale or outdoor sculptures have a sophisticated steel structure inside, which is like the “skeleton” of the human body.Especially in large-scale sculptures, outdoor sculptures, and public art projects, “skeleton inside” is almost necessary.
Without this skeleton, many sculptures cannot stand still, maintain their shape, and cannot be used outdoors for a long time.
This article will disassemble the reason behind it for you.
Ⅰ. What is the steel structure inside the sculpture?
In medium and large-scale sculptures, we will make a set of steel frames.
Its role is similar to: the bones of the human body, the steel bars in buildings, and the internal structure of automobiles.
This steel structure helps the sculpture maintain stability, supports weight, and maintains its overall shape.
Small indoor sculptures may only require a simple iron wire structure, but large metal sculptures, outdoor sculptures, glass fiber reinforced plastic sculptures, and bronze sculptures almost all require professional steel structures.
Ⅱ. Why does the sculpture need a steel structure?
1. Load-bearing and maintain shape
Large-scale sculptures often weigh hundreds of kilograms or even tons, and metal shells, bronze shells, or glass fiber reinforced plastic shells alone cannot withstand such weight.The larger the sculpture and the more complex the shape, the higher the requirements for the internal steel structure.
Therefore, the internal steel structure is essential. It can: carry the weight of the entire sculpture, prevent the shell from being deformed or sagging due to gravity, and ensure that the sculpture maintains its original shape for a long time.
2. Resist the effects of the outdoor environment
Outdoor sculptures need to face various long-term environmental tests: strong wind, rain and humidity, temperature difference changes, ground vibration, if internal support is lacking, the sculpture may crack, tilt, loose connections, and there are safety risks.
A stable steel structure allows the sculpture to be safe and reliable in public spaces for many years.
3. Keep complex shapes stable
Many modern sculptures use complex designs, such as large-area arcs, slender or light structures, twisted, inclined or curved forms, hollow or segmented shapes.
If these shapes only rely on the shell, they can easily deform, crack or fail to form.
The internal steel structure can provide the necessary support to make these complex designs appear safely and stably.
4. Easy to make, transport and install
Large-scale sculptures are usually made in segments and then shipped to the site for assembly.
Steel structure can: provide welding and connection points, help the segments to be connected accurately, ensure that they are not deformed during transportation and installation, and are firmly connected to the foundation or base
Therefore, steel structure is not only a safety structure, but also an important part of the processing technology.
Ⅲ.Why steel structures are essential to iconic sculptures
In many well-known large-scale public art, the internal steel structure is an indispensable engineering core.
For example, the surface of the cloud Gate in Chicago is a smooth stainless steel mirror, but the interior is actually precisely supported by a multi-layer steel frame to maintain its iconic curved appearance.
The same is true of the Statue of Liberty: the shell is copper, and what really supports the entire statue is the steel skeleton hidden inside, making it stable under the test of wind, temperature changes, and time.
Large-scale public art in modern cities generally adopts a similar structure-no matter how simple or lightweight the shell is, the internal support system is usually very complex.It is these hidden structures that allow the sculpture to be displayed outdoors for a long time, while ensuring safety and durability.
