Examples of application of principle of superposition and rules of symmetry in engineering design

Architectural and engineering spatial structures are most often built of modular repetitive elements. Therefore considering the principles of symmetry is very helpful in design processes of them. The paper presents examples of shaping of the innovative structural systems of buildings and their foundation structures together with the tension-strut structures of various geometric shapes as well as the structures of special types of aircrafts. The paper discusses the basic assumptions adopted in the design processes of system of the composite foundation and an example of its application in the design of a tall building. There are spoken selected aspects of shaping of some lightweight structures mostly applied in the roof covers. Moreover there are presented some proposals of design of the structural systems of e.g. a vertical take-off and landing aircraft.