Chapter # 3
“Tensile Structures”
Introduction:
Every part of the structure is loaded only in tension, with no requirement
to resist compression or bending forces.
A tensile membrane structure is most often used as a roof, as they can
economically and attractively span large distances.
Classes of Tensile Structures:
1. Membranes
Tensile membrane structures provide:
Flexible Design Aesthetics: Tensile membrane structures provide
virtually unlimited designs of distinctive elegant forms that can be
realized because of the unique flexible characteristics of membrane
resulting in an iconic and unique structure or feature for any building
owner, city or even region.
Outstanding Translucency – In daylight, fabric membrane translucency
offers soft diffused naturally lit spaces reducing the interior lighting
costs while at night, artificial lighting creates an ambient exterior
luminescence.
Excellent Durability – With several different membranes in the market
place such as PTFE fiberglass, ETFE film, PVC, and ePTFE, the durability
and longevity of tensile membrane structures have been proven and
built in climates ranging from the frigid artic to the scorching desert
heat.
Lightweight Nature - The lightweight nature of membrane is a cost
effective solution that requires less structural steel to support the roof
compared to conventional building materials, enabling long spans of
column-free space.
Low Maintenance – Tensile membrane systems are somewhat unique
in that they require minimal maintenance when compared to an
equivalent-sized conventional building.
Cost Benefits – Most tensile membrane structures have high sun
reflectivity and low absorption of sunlight, thus resulting in less energy
used within a building and ultimately reducing electrical energy costs.
Code Compliance – Depending on the type of membrane and overall
project design, tensile membrane systems appropriately meet the
various associated building code requirements.
Variety of Membranes – Whether it’s a permanent durable structure
that needs to last longer than 30 years, an insulated membrane system
for thermal performance, or a deployable flexible application, there are
a variety of tensile membranes to choose from to meet specific
performances for your next building project.
2. Cables:
High strength steel cables have been used extensively over the past twenty
five years for space roof structures. It consists of using the cables only for
suspension of the main roof structure, which can be either conventional, e.g.
beams, cantilevers, etc., or a space frame. In this case, the main roof
structure, instead of being supported, is actually suspended from steel cables
above the roof, which transmit the tensile forces to appropriate anchorages.
They are cable-stayed roofs.
Types of Cable Network Systems:
a) Single Layer Cable Systems:
b) Double layer Cable Systems
c) Prestressed tensile membrane systems:
Problems associated with these cable-stayed and tension roof structures:
First problem derives from the fact that the cable is flexible. It assumes a shape
compatible with the applied loads whilst architectural and building requirements
demand that the structure has a definite form. Any deviations from that form due
to the action of the applied loads must be kept to a minimum. To meet this
requirement, a pretension must be introduced into the structure, which must be
compatible with the desired shape, and when combined with the applied loads,
must maintain the deformation between specified limits. Design may therefore
involve use of mathematical ‘form-finding’ procedures, implemented by
appropriate software.
Another important problem associated with these structures is their sensitivity to
aerodynamic instability, e.g. flutter. This sensitivity imposes special requirements
on the design and the constructional details of these systems, particularly those
which use membranes made of lightweight fabric as cladding.
Single cable structures are characterized by their flexibility. They require stiffening
to prevent a change of shape with each variation in load and to make them
capable of resisting uplift due to wind. Gusty winds can produce oscillations,
unless damping is provided to the structure.
Fig. Characterization of single cable structures
3. Pneumatic Structures
The tension force is created by an interior positive pressure.
Its stabilization is done by:
1. Apply an External Force which pulls the membrane.
2. Internal Pressurizing if the membrane volume is enclosing.
These structures can create artificial environments adaptable to human use. The
Pneumatic are bound to increase in popularity, owing to the tremendous freedom
they provide to the architects in designing large free spaces within them.
TYPES OF PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES
These are primary classes of pneumatic structures.
1. Air Supported Structure
2. Air inflated Structure.
Air Supported Structure
It consists of a single membrane (enclosing a functionally useful space) which is
supported by a small internal pressure difference. The internal volume of building
air is consequently at a pressure higher than atmospheric. The air supported
structure uses a low positive pressure to support a membrane over a given area.
Air must be supplied constantly because of the continuous leakage. Primarily
through buildings used most often because of:
Relatively low cost
Simplicity of design and fabrication.
Air – inflated Structure
It is supported by pressurized air contained within inflated building element.
The internal volume of building air remains at atmospheric pressure. The
pressurized air in the pillow serves only to stabilizing the load carrying
membrane. The covered space is not pressurized.
Advantages of air- inflated / air frame structure :-
. The ability for self-support
. The potential to support an attached structure
Classification of pneumatic structures:-
Pneumatic structures can be further subdivided as:-
1) type of differential pressure
2) degree of differential pressure
3) type of surface curvature
4) proportions
Type of differential pressure:
a) Pneumatic structures use either positive pressure or negative pressure.
b) In (+) pressure system, the membrane is always curved outwards, whereas in
negative pressure systems the membrane is curved inwards.
c) Being curved inwards there is a tendency of water logging & snow
accumulation.
d) Moreover, negative pressure systems require high supports at the edge or in
the center which makes it more expensive.
e) Both of these systems are used for storage purposes as they can kill the
rodents.
Degree of differential pressure
Low pressure systems -
These systems are provided with Low pressure air; hence have to be provided
with continuous supply of [Link]-air supported structures.
High pressure systems -
Used for easy erection & dismantling; the pressure difference is b/w 2000-
7000mm of water pressure (100 to 1000 times) low pressure Systems. These high
pressure air inflated systems are either having a single valve system or double
valve systems which avoid its collapse.
Type of surface curvatures
These structures can also be classified according to the types of curvature on the
outer surface-
a) Single curved
b) Doubly curved in the same direction or synclastics
c) Doubly curved in opposite direction or anticlastic
Proportions
On the basis of different proportions, pneumatic structures can be:-
Two dimension of similar size and one larger dimension, e.g. Tubes, masts,
columns, towers.
Two dimensions of similar size and one smaller dimension, e.g. cushions, lenses,
discuss, mattresses.
Three dimensions of similar size, e.g.:- balloons, balls, spheres, bubbles