Membrane and Pneumaticjbjhbh

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O U Aishwarya Hoizal ARC003
Amulya Nandury ARC005
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Anitha M ARC007
U Arushi Mathur ARC009
R Shubham Guhe ARC019
2 Jitendra Farkade ARC022
E Shreya Sen ARC051
S Bhagyesh Shrirao ARC052
Sonsy Mishra ARC053
Tushar Dhadse ARC055
TENSILE STRUCTURES
A tensile structure is a construction of elements
carrying only tension and no compression or bending. The term
tensile should not be confused with tensegrity, which is a
structural form with both tension and compression elements.
Tensile structures are the most common type of thin-shell
structures.
Most tensile structures are supported by some form

of compression or bending elements, such as masts (as in The O2,
formerly the Millennium Dome), compression rings or beams. A
tensile membrane structure is most often used as a roof, as they
can economically and attractively span large distances.
This form of construction has only become more rigorously

analysed and widespread in large structures in the latter part of
the twentieth century. Tensile structures have long been used in
tents, where the guy ropes and tent poles provide pre-tension to
the fabric and allow it to withstand loads.
TENSIGRITY:
Tensegrity, tensional integrity or floating compression, is a
structural principle based on the use of isolated components in
compression inside a net of continuous tension, in such a way
that the compressed members (usually bars or struts) do not
touch each other and the pre-stressed tensioned members
(usually cables or tendons) delineate the system spatially.
TENSAIRITY:
Tensairity employs an ancient foundational
splinting structure using inflated air beams and
attached stiffeners or cables that gains
mechanical advantages for low mass.
Pneumatic structures using tensairity are solving
problems. The structure modality has been
particularly developed by Mauro Pedretti.
TYPES:
Linear structures
• Suspension bridges
• Draped cables
• Cable-stayed beams or trusses
• Cable trusses
• Straight tensioned cables
Three-dimensional structures
• Bicycle wheel
(can be used as a roof in a horizontal orientation)
• 3D cable trusses
• Tensegrity structures
• Tensairity structure
Surface-stressed structures
• Pre-stressed membranes
• Pneumatically stressed membranes
• Grid shell
• Fabric structure
MEMBRANE MATERIALS:
Common materials for doubly curved fabric structures are PTFE-

coated fiberglass and PVC-coated polyester. These are woven
materials with different strengths in different directions. The warp
fibres (those fibres which are originally straight—equivalent to the
starting fibres on a loom) can carry greater load than the weft or
fill fibres, which are woven between the warp fibres.
Other structures make use of ETFE film, either as single layer or in

cushion form (which can be inflated, to provide good insulation
properties or for aesthetic effect—as on the Allianz Arena in
Munich). ETFE cushions can also be etched with patterns in order
to let different levels of light through when inflated to different
levels. They are most often supported by a structural frame as
they cannot derive their strength from double curvature.
CABLES:
Cables can be of mild steel, high strength steel (drawn carbon

steel), stainless steel, polyester or aramid fibres. Structural cables
are made of a series of small strands twisted or bound together to
form a much larger cable. Steel cables are either spiral strand,
where circular rods are twisted together and "glued" using a
polymer, or locked coil strand, where individual interlocking steel
strands form the cable (often with a spiral strand core).
STRUCTURAL FORMS:
Air-supported structures are a form of

tensile structures where the fabric envelope
is supported by pressurised air only. The
majority of fabric structures derive their
strength from their doubly curved shape. By
forcing the fabric to take on double-
curvature. The fabric gains sufficient stiffness
to withstand the loads it is subjected to (for
example wind and snow loads). In order to
induce an adequately doubly curved form
it is most often necessary to pretension or
pre-stress the fabric or its supporting
structure.
PNEUMATIC STRUCTURE INTRODUCTION :-
• Pneumatic structure is a membrane which carries load
devolped from the tensile stresses.
• Its stablization is done by prestressing the membrane either by:-
A) Applying an external force which pulls the membrane taut
b) Internal pressurizing if the membrane is volume enclosing.
such structures are called ―pneumatic structures‖ .
• These structures can create artificial environments
adaptable to human use .
• The pneumatic forms are bound to Increase n popularity,
owing to The tremendous freedom they provide to the architects
in designing large free spaces Within them.
ORIGIN :-
The word pneumatic is derived from the Greek word
―pneuma‖(meaning breath of air) ,thus these are the structure
which are supported by air.―Pneumatic structure‖ has been used
By mankind for thousand of years. But in the building technology
it was Introduced only about 40 years ago.
PRINCIPLE:-
1) Its principle is the use of relatively thin membrane supported
by a pressure difference.
2) through increasing the inside air pressure not only the dead
weight of the space envelope is balanced, but the
membrane is stressed to a point where it cannot be
indented by asymmetrical loading .
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:-
1) LIGHT WEIGHT:-
a) The weight of the structure as compared to the area it
covers is very less
2) the weight of the membrane roof , even when it is stiffened
by cables, is very small
3) low air pressure is sufficient to balance it
4) even with spans of more than 100mts, the weight of the
structure does not exceed 3kg/square metre .
2) SPAN :-
• No structure can gurantee to give the spans upto certain
limits cable structures are exceptions( cables for bridges
usually).
• For a building, then the limitation is 500 feet span due to its
self weight.
• Another advantage over other structures is that, for
pneumatic membrane , there is no theoretical maximum
span as determined by strength, elasticity, specific weight or
any other property.
• It is hardly possible to span a distance of over 36km. With a
steel cables as they would fail because of their inability to
sustain their own weight. But with pneumatics, such spans
are quiet possible.
3) SAFETY:-
pneumatic structures are safer than any other structure.
Otherwise, a proper care should be taken while establishing
• Accidental circumstances are avoided as they are very light.
• There are warning signals while the release of return valve.
Safety factor+ warning time is quiet long as compared to
other structures.
• Pneumatic structures cant be destroyed by fire quickly and
totally.
4. Theft:- it is very safe no body can or pass through a
pneumatic structure. If an air bag is cut with a knife/ pin, a
bang is produced.
5. Human health:-in most cases, pressure of not more than 80-
100mm and not less than 60mm.But man can withstand
pressures between 0.20 atm to 3 atm. Therefore no health
hazard is presented by continous stay in a pneumatic
structure.
6. Quick erection and dismantling:- suitable for temporary
constructions because they are as easy to dismantle as to
establish.
TYPES OF PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES:-
These are primary classes of pneumatic structures:- air supported

structures and air –inflated structures
Air – supported structures:- it consist of a single
membrane(enclosing a functionally useful space) which is
supported by a small internal pressure difference. The internal
volume of a 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 contently because of the continuous leakage, primarily
through the buildings used most often because of:
. Their relatively low cost
. Their 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 STRUTURE :-

. 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 diffrential pressure
2)degree of diffrential pressure
3)type of surface curvature
4)proportions
1. TYPE OF DIFFRENTIAL 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 centre which makes it more expensive.
E) both of these systems are used for storage purposes as they
can kill the rodents.
2. DEGREE OF DIFFERNTIAL PRESSURE:-
LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS -

These systems are provided with Low pressure air ;hence have to
Be provided with continuous supply Of air.Eg-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 a double Valve systems
which avoids it‘s 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
4. Proportions:- on the basis of different proportions, pneumatic

structures can be:-
Two dimension of similar size and one larger dimension, eg:
―tubes‖,‖masts‖,‖columns‖,‖towers‖.
Two dimensions of similar size and one Smaller dimension, eg:
―cushions‖,‖lenses‖,‖Discuss‖,‖mattresses‖.
Three dimensions of similar size,
Eg:- ―baloons‖,‖balls‖,‖spheres‖,‖Bubbles
MATERIALS:-
Isotropic:- these show the same strength and stretch in All
directions. Examples are:-
Plastic films:- these are primarily produced from pvc,
Poly ethylene, polyester, polyamide etc.
Fabrics:- these may be made of glass fibres or synthetic
Fibres which are coated in a pvc, polyester or Polyurethene film.
Rubber membrane:- they are the lightest and most
Flexible.
Metal foils:- they possess a very high gas diffusion
resistance
And high tensile strength . one of the major
problems in the
Use of metal foils is in need to produce very exact
cutting Patterns.
ANISOTROPIC MATERIALS:-
These do not show the same
Strength and stretchability in all directions. They have
Direction oriented properties. Examples are:-
Woven fabrics:- they have two main direction of weave.
THEY CAN BE MADE OF:-
. Organic fibers eg:- wool, cotton or silk.
. Mineral fibers eg:- glass fibers.
. Metal fibers eg:- thin steel wires.
. Synthetic fibers eg:- polyamide, polyester and polyvinyl.
Gridded fabric:- these are coarse-weave made of

Organic mineral or synthetic fibers or metallic networks.
They are particularly used where maximum light
Transmission and high strength is required.
Synthetic rubbers:- combination of plastic and rubber.
They can take better wear and tear. They are latest and are
More resistant to elongation.
Plastics:- like woven fabrics. Its advantage is that they
Have more of tensile strength than normally manufactured
Plastic sheets.
PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES USAGES IN HISTORY:
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND :-
The technology behind pneumatic

structures has been long known to
us. Bubbles have aroused people‘s
curiosity for long. The more
immediate use of pneumatics
however lies in baloons and airships
that have graced our skies in the
recent past.
In 1922, the oasis theatre in paris
sported a pnuematic hollow roof
structure that was rolled into place
when it rained. Building with pneumatic
During world war pneumatic Roof
structures played an important role
as ‗radomes‘, which housed large
radar antennae.
They can create artificial
environment adaptable to human
use in any part of the world.

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Most tensile structures are supported by some form

This form of construction has only become more rigorously

Common materials for doubly curved fabric structures are PTFE-

Other structures make use of ETFE film, either as single layer or in

Cables can be of mild steel, high strength steel (drawn carbon

Air-supported structures are a form of

These are primary classes of pneumatic structures:- air supported

AIR – INFLATED STRUCTURE:-

ADVANTAGES OF AIR- INFLATED / AIR FRAME STRUTURE :-

PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES CAN BE FURTHER SUBDIVIDED AS:-

1. TYPE OF DIFFRENTIAL PRESSURE:-.

LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS -

HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEMS -

4. Proportions:- on the basis of different proportions, pneumatic

Gridded fabric:- these are coarse-weave made of

PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES USAGES IN HISTORY:

The technology behind pneumatic

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