HIGHLY FLEXIBLE DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURES

ARCHITECTURAL BACKGROUND

2.6 Soft, membrane structures

Similar to the structures opened by the movement of rigid panels, F. Otto classified the
membrane convertible constructions also in a movement matrix (Figs. 2.44-45). He
distinguished two different types; one with stationary supporting structure and another with
movable supporting structure. Pneumatic structures can also be classified as deployable
membrane structures.
As mentioned in the introduction, these types of structures were already in practice in the
very past history. However, it was just at the end of the second half of the last century when
engineers began to apply textile as building material for large-span constructions. The
pioneering works of Frei Otto motivated plenty of membrane designs throughout the world.
type of
movement

parallel

direction of movement
central
circular

peripheral

bunching

rolling
Fig. 2.44: Classification of membrane convertible constructions: the movement matrix of structures with
stationary supporting structure [Otto, 1971]

type of
movement

parallel

direction of movement
central
circular

peripheral

sliding

folding

rotating
Fig. 2.45: Classification of membrane convertible constructions: the movement matrix of structures with
movable supporting structure [Otto, 1971]

39