APPLIED ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURES:

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND SYSTEMS Membrane and Net Structures

ARCH 631
DR. ANNE NICHOLS • form follows
FALL 2012 pressure or
tension
lecture
thirteen
Denver Airport – Birdair.com

membrane, net &

shell structures
Membrane, Nets & Shells 1 Applied Architectural Structures F2009abn
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Membrane and Net Structures Membrane and Net Structures

• types • sensitive to aerodynamic effects of wind
– fabric – fluttering
– cables

http://nisee.berkeley.edu/godden

– pneumatic • stabilization
– inflated – rigid supporting framework
– prestressing of surface
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Membrane and Net Structures Pneumatic Structures
• tensile stress and • internal pressure
tangential shear stresses occur – air-supported:
entire volume
– air-inflated: cavities
• ribs
• dual walls

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Air-Supported Structures Air-Inflated Structures

• pressure slightly • higher degree of
higher than pressurization
atmospheric • pressure doesn’t
• light loads directly balance
• greater spans than loads
air-inflated • buckling or folding
results in collapse
• flexibility in space

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Loads & Behavior Membrane Stresses
• snow accumulation • pressure is constantly applied stress
– shape
– heat loss
• avoid large
concentrated loads
• wind loads
– suction
– tension
– “buckling”
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Membrane Stresses Supports

• enough pressure to prevent folding • air-supported
• large radius, large stress
– need airtight
seal
– resists uplift
and thrust
– “inverted” arch
– containment
rings

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Profile Selection Air-Inflated Members
• lower profile • prestressed in
– higher stresses tension
– lower air volume • structural stresses
– can be used to avoid added
wind pressure effects • increase in tension

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Punctures Net and Tent Structures

• fracture or rip from redistribution of • low curvatures, high stress (big radius)
stresses • avoid flat areas
• air-supported • carefully place high & low points
– low pressure
– gradual deflation
• air-inflated
– isolated cells deflate
• design in suspension
Basic Types of Tensile Structures (© Tentech)
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Support Conditions Form Development
• compression masts • modeling
• uplift at ground • software
• free edges can
be stiffened with
cables
• stress reduction
at high points
by a cable ring

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Materials Shells
• strength • similar to membranes, domes & vaults
– tear resistant • THIN
– bi-directional • rigid
• durability
– ultraviolet
effects
– creep
– corrosion in metals

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Shells Shell Types
• shape classifications
– developable:
• singly curved (vault)
– synclastic
• doubly curved
Empire State Performing Arts Center, Ammann & Whiney
• same direction
– anticlastic:
• doubly curved
• opposite curvature
– free form

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Synclastic Shell Stresses

• surface of revolutions • in-plane
– tension
– compression
– shear
• insignificant
bending
• suitable for distributed loads
• can’t handle concentrated loads well

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Spherical Shells Forces in Spherical Shells
• arch of revolution • similar to plates
• compression – two directions of forces
– shear
• some tension
– maintain curvatures
– “bow”
• meridional– arch direction
• hoop – radial direction
– can see tension
• holes redistribute stresses
– edges need reinforcement

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Meridional and Hoop Forces Distribution and Concentrated Forces

• meridional force per unit length: • size distributions
W
N 
2πR sin 2  cos( 5149' )R

0.62 R
 0.62 R
• hoop force per unit
length:
 1  • concentrated force
N θ  Rw   cos   causes N  
 1  cos  
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Support Conditions Support Conditions
• absorb horizontal thrust • buttresses
– tension ring • edge restraint effects
– being pushed out – deformations different
– need to be continuous – fixed edges
• bending stress
– can be used as foundation
• deep section
• top (crown) rings – pinned edges
– in compression • still induces bending
– post-tensioning helps
stiffen
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Buckling & Lateral Loading Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

• instability • Wright, 1956
– compression
– moment of inertia
– low stress levels
• local
• snap-through
• lateral loading
– shear

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Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Cylindrical Shells
• Wright, 1956 • can resist tension
• shape adds “depth”

• not vaults
• barrel shells

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Kimball Museum, Kahn 1972 Kimball Museum, Kahn 1972

• outer shell edges

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Kimball Museum, Kahn 1972 Anticlastic Shells (Hyperbolic Paraboloid)
• skylights at peak • saddle or “ruled” shapes
• surface generated with straight lines

• tension follows “cable drape”

• compression follows “arch”
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Anticlastic Shell Behavior Zarzuela Hippodrome, Torroja 1935

• edge conditions offer restraint
– tie rods useful
– shears

http://www.arch.mcgill.ca

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Zarzuela Hippodrome, Torroja 1935 Heilmajer Memorial Bandstand
• Kramer, 2002

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Heilmajer Memorial Bandstand Heilmajer Memorial Bandstand

• Kramer, • Kramer, 2002
2002

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