 General study of Pneumatic structures.

i. Introduction
ii. Definition
iii. Characteristics
iv. Principles
v. Construction techniques
 Types
i. Air supported structured
ii. Air inflated structures
iii. Hybrid structures
 Materials and Coatings
 Merits-Demerits
 Examples

General study of Pneumatic structures:

i. Introduction :
• With the high cost of buildings different types of
construction
techniques are used.
• Popular way to hold this high cost of construction down
is to use
air.
• Air is used to hold the roof in place instead of steel and
concrete.
• Air is cheaper than many other materials.
• This air can support a fabric covering or plastic that will
withstand
elements.
• Air-supported membranes were first devised by Walter
Bird in the
late 1940s and were soon put to use as covers for
swimming
pools, temporary warehouses, and exhibition buildings
What are pneumatic structures?
Pneumatic structures are one of the fundamental structural
forms in nature and man has been in touch of this
phenomenon
from very early times by observing the natural pneumatic
structural forms in both plants and animal life. In fruits, air
bubble, soap bubble, blood vessels.
• The most live example is of skin, kept taut by muscle
tissues and
 blood pressure and largely supported in addition by a
skeleton
resisting bending or compression.
• Basic definition of pneumatic structure can be,
structures
constructed or developed with air, gases as the fundamental
material.
• Pneumatic structure or an air supported structure has a
space
enclosing membrane anchored to the ground and kept in
tension
by internal air pressure such that it can support applied
loads.
. Characteristics of pneumatic structure:
• Pneumatic shapes are characterized by double curvature
surface.
• Pneumatic structures are tensile skinned.
• There is no theoretical span as determine by strength,
elasticity, specific weight or any other property.
iv. Principle of pneumatic structures:
• “ If u blow a sausage shaped balloon, it becomes stiff.
The internal air pressure acts against the wall of balloon
in all the directions so that its cylindrical shape
stretches and is tensed both lengthwise and crosswise.”
v. Construction techniques
• Membrane structure that is stabilized by the pressure of
compressed air or air supported structure are supported by
internal air pressure
 • The air pressure within this bubble is increased slightly
above normal atmospheric pressure and maintained by
compressors or fans.
• The envelop is tightly fastened to the foundation

• TYPES
i. Air supported structures
 The air supported structures uses a low positive pressure
(15-30kg/m2) to support membrane over a given area
and provides a single wall enclosure.
 Air must be supplied on stantly because of the continuous
leakage,
primarily through the building entries.
 Since the pressure is exerted normal to the surface in all
directions., the natural shape of the air supported
structure is sphere.
 In building terms, this normally reduces to a 3/4th

• Easily transported, quickly erected volume package.

• Constant air input (vital to structuralstability) required.
Low cost, with a short life span (7-10 yrs), implies a
throwaway product.
ii. Air-inflated Structure :
 Membrane completely enclosing compressed air and
comprises two types: Cushion and Double-layered
 Apertures can be placed more randomly
 Greater acoustic and thermal control possible
 Possibility of self-deployment
 Does not require air seal to the ground
 Relatively small air input required; inflation rapid
 Segments can be added without altering initial
construction
 Higher pressure needed; hence higher performance
needed for joints, seals and membrane itself
• Air cell inflatables are
• advanced constructions
(often referred to as pneumatic
structure They are self-
supporting and self-erectable by
means of an air fan only with no
foundation, hardware.
Air cell inflatable buildings
(or pneumatic buildings) act as
permanent structures rather than temporary ones having high
torsional stiffness, which allows them to withstand wind up to 80
knots and snow load up to 140kg/m2.
Inflatable buildings can support loads on the roof and walls for
lighting, lifting and other cabling requirements

iii. Inflated Ribbed Structures

 High pressure tube frames
 Freedom of structural form
 Membrane independent of the rib structure
 Ability to change easily, allowing greater control of heat,
light and sound
 Difficult to add to pressure tube structure; not easily
extensible
 Initial air input is very small, inflation instant
Self-deployment; pop-up package
Materials and Coatings i Structural material:
 The choice of membrane material depends upon
number of factors which can vary with function and
design life.
ii Usual Factors:
 Air permeability
 Weather resistance property
 Chemical resistance
 Insulation property
 Flexibility
 Incombustibility
 Variation of properties
 Strength of joining methods
 USUAL MATERIALS:
Four basic types of materials:
 Plastic films PLASTIC FILMS
 Main advantage is its transparency.
But they are susceptible to ultra violet deterioration.
Should be used in conjunction with cable nets.
 Coated fabrics Polyamide fabric nylon
 • Polyster fabrics terylene and decron
These are coated on both sides with vinyl, butyl, neoprene
hypalon or other plasticized elastomers
 Woven metallic fabric
• Stainless steel fibres coated with suitable material are
used for air tightness.
 Metallic foils
• Aluminum plastic foils are used for high heat
reflections.
Its light weight, very strong, impermeable and has good
ageing property
Advantages: of penumatic
 Very light weight therefore are of greater practical
importance than any other structures withstanding
compressive loads.
 Rapid development and erection.
 Possibility of acting as sophisticated mechanisms for
controlling heat, light and sound
 Radical new forms are practical to be generated.
Disadvantages :
 Limited expansion by addition.
 Difficulty of placement of openings.
 Once erected, the structure is inflexible in terms
physical response.
 In some cases requirement of air locks and continual air
supply.
Limitations on the pneumatic structures
 The shape of membrane is limited by the size of the
span.
 Clear span of 180 feet or more is required
 There cost benefits are greatly increased at these
greater spans.
 The inflated membrane must have enough curvature to
shed snow, rain and ice but shallow enough to resist the
upward suction from the wind.
 Wind is greatest enemy because it adds more tension to
the system.
 Too much suction or internal pressure can rupture the
membrane.
 Applying to much force to anchoring system can also
rupture the membrane.
Snow can ice can easily tear the membrane.