Arun M R

Fajas O K
Grace Henry
Jidhin Janardhanan
Ngurnuntluanga

PNEUMATIC, KINETIC AND MOBILE STRUCTURES

 Some air-supported structures
Pneumatic structures are membrane structures that are use a net of cables placed in tension
placed in tension and stabilized against wind and snow loads by the inflating force to restrain
the membrane from developing its
by the pressure of compressed air. natural inflated profile.

The membrane is usually a woven textile or glass-fiber fabric

coated with a synthetic material such as silicone.

Translucent membranes provide natural illumination, gather solar

radiation in the winter, and cool the interior space at night.
Reflective membranes reduce solar heat gain.

A fabric liner can capture air space to improve

the thermal resistance of the structure.

There are two kinds of pneumatic structures:
Air-supported structures
Air-supported structures consist of a single membrane
supported by an internal air pressure slightly higher than
normal atmospheric pressure, and securely anchored and
sealed along the perimeter to prevent leaking.
Air locks are required at entrances to maintain the internal air
pressure.
Advantages of this structures are:
Their relatively low cost
Their simplicity of design and fabrication
The flexibility to use the facility for
seasonal activities
Therefore installing and uninstalling the
facility throughout the year, regardless of
size.
Common applications : sports stadiums,
the "bubbles" used to cover tennis courts
and pools, and many
other temporary shelters.
Air-inflated structures.
Air-inflated structures are supported by pressurized air
within inflated building elements.

These elements are shaped to carry loads in a traditional Advantages of air- inflated / air frame
manner, while the enclosed structure :-
volume of building air remains at normal atmospheric The ability for self support
pressure. The potential to support an attached
structure
The tendency for a double-membrane structure to No restrictions on the number and size
bulge in the middle is restrained by a compression ring or by of openings and design geometry.
internal ties or diaphragms.
Common applications:
Hangars and Shelters, Bespoke
buildings, Permanent roof and storage.
 Principle

Its principle is the use of relatively thin membrane supported by a pressure difference.
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.
i. Light weight:
• The weight of the structure as compared to the area it covers is very less.
• The weight of the membrane roof, even when it is stiffened by cables, is very small.
• Low air pressure is sufficient to balance it.
• Even with spans of more than 100 meter, the weight of the structure does not exceed
3kg/square meter.
ii. Span :
• 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.
iii. 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.
• Pneumatic structures cannot be destroyed by fire quickly and totally.
iv. Theft:
• It is very safe nobody can or nothing can pass through a pneumatic structure. If an air bag is
cut with a knife/ pin, a bang is produced.
v. Quick erection and dismantling:
• Suitable for temporary constructions because they are as easy to dismantle and establish.
• 1 sq.km. of an area can be brought down in 6 hours and erected in less than 10 hours. The 4
hours difference is due to establishment of pegs etc.
vi. Economy:
• First costs for a pneumatic structure always have compared favorably with those of
conventional roof structures. On a cost-per-seat basis, the advantage is even more evident.
The savings come from lower construction and supporting structure costs plus overall
economy of design. Architecturally, the design is very elegant and dramatic.
vii. Good natural light:
• Gives good natural light as translucent/transparent plastic sheets are used to cover air bags.
We can even bring the whole sun inside. There is a lot of flexibility in getting sun light
(50%-80%).
MATERIALS for Pneumatic structures:-

Isotropic: - These materials show the same strength and stretch in all directions.

Fabrics: - These may be made of glass fibers or

Plastic films: - These are primarily produced from
synthetic fibers which are coated in a PVC, polyester
PVC, Poly ethylene, polyester, polyamide etc.
or polyurethene film.

Metal foils: - They possess a very high gas diffusion

Rubber membrane: - They are the lightest and most resistance and high tensile strength. One of the major
flexible. problems in the use of metal foils is in need to
produce very exact cutting patterns.
 Woven fabrics: - They have two main
direction of weave. They can be made
of:-
Anisotropic materials: -
These do not show the same
strength and stretch ability in
all directions. They have Organic fibers e.g.: - wool, cotton or silk
direction oriented properties.

Mineral fibers e.g.:- glass fibers

Metal fibers e.g.:- thin steel wires

Synthetic fibers e.g.:- 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.
 Significant
form As soap bubbles demonstrate, the natural form of
restrictions pneumatic structures is the sphere. Any inflated
for air
houses uniform elastic membrane tends to be spherical.
Significant Other basic pneumatic forms are the cylinder and the
load torus.
limitations
for air
Different forms can be generated by an appropriate
beams. cutting pattern of stiff fabrics and by boundary
conditions.
Air houses have an elongated, mainly cylindrical,
shape which is familiar as the voluminous sausage
impression of most inflated structures.

Two major shortcomings of pneumatic

structures in architecture can be named:
DROP STITCH TECHNOLOGY

Drop stitch technology is in its infancy but has a

great future. Drop stitch structures are fast to
inflate and deflate, and it is the only way to make
an inflatable surface absolutely flat and create a
walking surface. The drop stitch structures have
working pressures up to 1 atmosphere - much
higher than any other inflatable shape. They are
available in thicknesses from 5 to 50 centimeters.
FABRIC
Almost all permanent fabric structures built today are entirely synthetic. The most common fibers used
for the membrane are fiberglass or polyester. Fiberglass is strong and durable but deteriorates when
exposed to moisture. Polyester is less expensive but it is not as strong and degrades when exposed to
sunlight. Silicon rubber and Teflon are usually used to coat these materials.
The fabric is not made and shipped in one piece. It is made in sheets, usually about 12' wide and
varying length. The easiest and most common method of joining the fabric together is the standard lap
joint. The two pieces of fabric are overlapped by three inches and Teflon FEP film is inserted between
them. The joint is then heat welded together. When completed, the joint is stronger than the fabric, and
completely water and air tight.
CABLES
Cables are usually made from steel, because it has a low cost, availability, and long life. Kevlar and
glass fiber cables are stronger and stiffer, but are more expensive and degrade when exposed to
ultraviolet light.
AIR CELL TECHNOLOGY
Air cell technology marked a new era in the history of inflatable fabric engineering and pneumatic architecture. Air cell
inflatables are advanced constructions (often referred to as pneumatic structures) made with two layers of material with
fabric formers perpendicular in between. They are self-supporting and self-erectable by means of an air fan only with no
need for foundation, hardware or guy wires.
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. They have great thermal and
sound insulation properties, and tolerate temperatures from -30 °C to + 70°C.
Inflatable buildings fully comply with the standards applicable to pneumatic buildings - Fire Retardancy Standards (BS
7837/5438) and Anti-Fungal Standards.
The life expectancy of inflatable buildings depends upon the climate in which they are installed and particularly the levels
of UV light to which the pneumatic structures are exposed. An inflatable structure erected outdoors should survive for 10
years in the Tropics and for 20 years in European conditions. If the inflatables are kept indoors they will last almost
indefinitely.
There are almost no limitations as to design geometry for the inflatable constructions – present day facilities are capable of
producing almost anything in fabric. However, the building must have a sufficient air gap to create the required rigidity,
and large flat horizontal areas are to be avoided.
Portable architecture brings no disruption to the site because inflatable buildings are manufactured entirely off-site and can
usually be installed within a day. Pneumatic buildings and structures can be used in practically any environment and are
ideally suited both for military and civil applications.
PRIMORDIUMS
The first experiments with pneumatic structures were undertaken during the development of hot air balloons.
Brazilian priest Bartolomeu de Gusmão, in Lisbon, conducted a pioneering experiment as soon as 1709. However, an
effective start for the development of balloons just occurred at the end of the 18th century, when the Montgolfier
brothers built an 11m diameter hot air balloon, made by linen and paper. At the same year, Jaques A. C. Charles built
the first hydrogen balloon (Figure 1b), whose apogee were the zepellins, the large rigid dirigibles of the end of 19th
century and beginning of the 20th century (Herzog, 1977; Forster, 1994).
THE WORLD WAR II AND THE U.S. ARMY
During the Word War II, and after the invention of nylon, pneumatics
started to be used in military operations, as emergency shelters and
decoys. At the end of the War, the increase in the number of military air
operations demanded implementation of a large and sophisticated
network of radars over the American territory
THE BEGINNING OF THE ACADEMIC RESEARCH

If engineers like Bird and Stromeyer were the pioneers on the

commercial applications of the pneumatics and acquisition of
empirical knowledge, it was Frei Otto the first to undertake
academic investigations, specially about the process of form
finding. Through the IASS Pneumatic Colloquium (University
of Stuttgart, 1967) and several publications and designs, Otto
broadened the landscape, not only of pneumatics, but of tension
structures in general. Pneumatics were also part of the repertoire
of Richard Buckminster Fuller. His proposal of a pneumatic
dome to cover New York is a famous example of Utopian
pneumatic architecture.
Realization of this project would require a radical
environmental transformation, a sterilized enclosure without
dust, pollution, exhaust gases and so.
LARGE SPAN ROOFS

Inspired by the success of the EXPO’ 70 American pavilion,

David Geiger developed several projects employing cable
reinforced, insufflated membranes, for sport stadiums in the
United States and Canada, from 1974 to 1984.
The largest of these stadiums are the Pontiac Silverdome, in
Michigan (1975), the Vancouver Amphitheater (1983) and the
Minneapolis Metrodome (1982), all of them covering more than
40.000m2, with capacities above 60.000 persons. (Foster,
1994). These roofs drastically reduced the cost per seat,
compared with conventional stadium, and have worked
satisfactorily, except for some operational problems, leading do
deflations, in the Minnesota Metrodome, due to excessive
accumulation of snow (Liddel, 1994). It can be appointed as a
paradox, that the main factor driving to construction of closed
environments – harsh winter– is also the foulest enemy of the
large pneumatic domes.
DESIGN AND ARTISTIC INSTALATIONS

Pneumatics are frequently chosen in smaller and less permanent

buildings –for aesthetic, more than for economical reasons–
since their sights usually provoke fascination among observers
and bystanders, reporting to something futuristic and
revolutionary.
However, in some recent large buildings, pneumatics have shown good performance as complementary elements to other
stiff structural systems. This is the case of two projects of Nicholas Grimshaw: the Eden Project located in Cornwall, and
the National Space Center in Leicester, both in England. Moreover, already remarked, pneumatics are blossoming out in
fields like object design and small scale buildings, with a more promising scenario to the inflated structures, compared to
the insufflated ones.
Kinetic architecture is a concept where buildings are designed so that significant portions can move
while retaining structural integrity.
A building's capability for motion can be used just to enhance it aesthetic qualities - but can also
allow it to respond to environmental conditions and to perform functions that would be impossible
for a static structure.
Architecture stands at the threshold of a new evolution. Charles Darwin has suggested that the
problem of survival always depends upon the capability of an object to adapt in a changing
environment. This theory holds true for architecture. Architectural applications in responsive kinetic
architecture arise from issues of spatial efficiency and adaptability.
A kinetic structure can be design to control sunlight and rain
water in an open public space at the same time it reconfigures
itself to provide a duality of open and closed space.

Applicable uses:
 Public squares Kinetic


Gardens
Arenas
structures
 Stations
 Cultural centers
 Galleries
 
First of all, the structure should have such a geometry that, at the same time it enables the contraction and deployment, is
compatible with the environmental control elements (cladding or any other element that will serve for sunlight and rain control).
 
As a first approach, a geometry was chosen that can, at first sight, achieve the configurations. This image shows a series of
deployable arches that, when placed together, form a roof. A similar geometry can be taken into consideration for reproducing the
desired configurations.

Another aspect of the structure should be the tessellation that would be chosen in order to cover the space. There are some kinds of
tesselations that are more appropriate to use for planar, or at least, single curved structures. If the structure is double curved or has
a free form, some other tessellations, or even different shape modules, should be necessary to achieve the final form.
Kinetic structures are adaptable to multiple uses, transforming a building in ways that make it much more useful and
dynamic. Successful kinetic structure design requires both experience and creativity to capture design opportunities
while ensuring compatibility of structural movements and long-term reliability.
The proposed structure can For small dimensions the structure can be made of composite triangular
make different forms plates, MDF or rollable intelligent
depending on: skins. It is also possible to make each triangle as a hollow wooden or
metallic frame filled with different
materials ranging from glass to wood, steel and polymeric fabrics. In
current design, the second method was used due to better influence in the
performance of the structure, ease of installation and the ability to
Performance
Performance
dimensions
dimensions
accommodate with different climatic and formal conditions.

Grand slope

Space’s
function
 Kinetic Elements:
The movable wood panels creating the
GucklHupf can be rotated, pulled, tilted and
folded. These wooden panels act as a wrapping
that can be peeled away or pulled up to open and
close the space according to its users desires.
GucklHupf
Completion Year: 1993.
Architect: Hans Peter Wörndl.
The GucklHupf movable panels create a multi-purpose
structure. The structure is used as a lake house that can
hold different activities from being a shelter in summer
days to a contemplative space with a small stage or even
as storage in winter days when closed.
Also, the movable panels helped the users to control
views and the amount of light according to their needs
and desires.
This transformation creates a communicative interior-
exterior space object that provides a shaded, ventilated,
temporary location in the landscape while controlling
the level of connectivity with the nature and landscape
around.
 Embedded
Computation /
Structural Control Adaptive
Systems: Used Materials: Mechanism: Architecture:
The building was Plywood, wood, All moving parts The GucklHupf is
constructed in aluminum, glass of the GucklHupf a multi-purpose
frame and silk screen are being private property
construction, a printing. controlled through that creates an
frame construction an automated experimental
consisting of a system that is living
linear structural comprised of environment. The
skeleton of automatic devices building is being
squared timber and retracing used all year long,
and an outer panels. This while its uses vary
cladding system is from being a lake
stabilizing the connected to the house to a
support frame is structure through performances
formed. dowels, flaps and stage and storage.
stainless steel
cables.

Kinetic Design Key Elements

• When inside the structure, the user has the
ability to edit and frame views of the
surrounding landscape. The user has a
control over their relationship with the
surrounding landscape, while hiding within
the protection of the small, contorting
structure.
Indoor
Building Visual
Environment
Quality:
Quality:
• The Guklhupf guides the eyes and the movements
of its inhabitants as everyone is free to choose a
visual sequence and the number of openings,
generating an intimate or visually permeable space.
Externally, the facade recreates the interior losing
its role of wrapping skin. The structure creates a
continuous relationship with its surrounding
landscape as well as its users. The GucklHupf is in
harmony with its surrounding even when not in use
and close. The structure when closed looks like a
large wooden box that was erected in the
landscape. But once one begins to open the many
wooden panels that can rotate in different
directions, pull, tilt and fold: There are ramps,
doors, windows, terraces and hatches
Mobile architecture is vital in order to support traveling/temporary exhibitions; they
usually need to be demountable, and portable temporary structures that don’t need to
conform to the style and restrictions of permanent structures in the area. As such they
are an opportunity for exciting architectural experimentation which can be used to
make a statement, grab attention or even prototype the design for regular use.
 ART NOVA
PROJECT

The Ark Nova project was created in response to the devastating earthquake and catastrophic tsunami that took place
in March 2011 in Japan. The mobile concert hall was designed to be easily transported to various locations within the
devastated area with the intention of bringing hope and promise to those struggling to deal with the after effects of the
earthquake. Designed by Indian born UK-based artist Anish Kapoor and Japanese architect Arata Isozaki as an
initiative of the Lucerne Festival, the Ark Nova has operated for three years in a row, showing the endurability of
what a unique project and inspired idea can achieve.
Amsterdam: the Campfire Pavilion

When Amsterdam served as Host to the

European Union, thousands of politicians
discussed the future of Europe – in sterile
rooms with bright artificial lights. To offer
an alternative, Studioinedots set a campfire
in the temporary Campus FabCity, and built
a movable pavilion out of waste-based
bricks around it. Named the “True Talker”,
people were invited to enter, take a seat,
and discuss ideas, thoughts and stories
about Europe by the light of the campfire.
 Reference
Building Construction Illustrated, Francis D.K. Ching

AN OUTLINE OF THE EVOLUTION OF PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES

Jung Yun Chi and Ruy Marcelo de Oliveira Pauletti
Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of the University of São Paulo
POWERSAVING
Thank
Signingyou…
Out…MODE
Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, ISSN 1934-7359, USA
Nature and Kinetic Architecture: The Development of a New Type of Transformable Structure for
Temporary Applications
Maziar Asefi and Aysan Foruzandeh
School of Architecture and Building Engineering, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Iran

Design Methodology: Kinetic Architecture

Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University