ARC5305 Long-Span & Special

Structures
Chapter Four

Tensile
Structures

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Structures
 Outlines
Introduction
Conceptual Development
Types of Tensile Structures
Components of Tensile Structures

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 Introduction
 In practice, structures tend to carry
both tension and compression and it is the degree to
which a structure is intentionally tensioned to stabilize it
that determines whether it is considered a tensile
structure.
 Tensioning is usually achieved with wire or cable opposed
by compression elements such as masts and held
in place by foundations, ring beams, ground anchors and
so on.
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 Introduction
Tensioning can also be achieved through inflation
(pneumatic structures).
Tensile structure is the term refers to the construction
of roofs using a membrane held in place on steel
cables.
A tensile membrane structure is most often used as
a roof as they can economically and attractively span
large distances.
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 Introduction
These types of structures are commonly found in
sports facilities, warehousing, storage buildings
and exhibition venues.
Examples of tension structures are Fabrics
structures, Cable net structures, Suspension
bridges, Cable-stayed bridges, pneumatic
structures and pre-stressed cable nets and beams.

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 Introduction
The term tensile structures also describes the
category of buildings in which the load bearing
capacity is achieved through tension stress in the
majority of the components such as technical
fabrics (Fabrics structures) or foils.

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 Introduction

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 Introduction

Golden gate suspension bridge, San Fransisco, USA

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 Introduction

Denver station, Colorado, USA

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 Introduction
Millennium Dome, London

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 Introduction

Supports

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 Introduction

Inside view

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 Conceptual Development
The use of material is inefficient in bending
elements.
The interior fibers never reach their maximum stress
levels while always maintaining weight.
From this idea, the truss was developed where the
inefficient material of the beam was turned into
clear space and each truss carried specific tension
and compression forces.
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 Conceptual Development
However, the most simplest efficient structural
system is when load is carried by one element that is
either completely in tension or compression.
While in 2D, this system is a cable for tension
loads and an arch for compression loads, in 3D
space, this system is a dome and tensioned fabric
respectively.

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 Conceptual Development

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 Conceptual Development
Therefore, terms membrane structure and
tensioned fabric structure not only allude to the
nature of the material used in such design but also
the way in which the forces act within the system.
The stresses created are membrane stresses that is,
stresses acting parallel to the local surface and
constant through the thickness of the surface.

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 Conceptual Development
However, when the membrane is loaded since it can
not carry any out of plane stresses, it deforms until
all the surface forces find a new equilibrium.
Pre-tensioning of the membrane is necessary to
decrease potential deflection.
On a loaded pre-tensioned membrane, the final
deflection will be less than a non-tensioned
membrane.
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 Conceptual Development
 However, at the same time the final tension will be higher.

 The primary structure which is usually made up of

compression elements play an important role for it
equalizes and maintains forces from the pre-stressing of
the fabric.
 Not only do they transmit the loads to the ground, but the
supporting structure ultimately controls the geometric
parameters of the structure.

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 Types of Tensile Structures
The classification of tensile structures are made
based on:
 the plane in which the tensile forces are acting in
the structure
 Shapes
 the type of supports provided

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 Types of Tensile Structures
Classification of tensile structures based on the
plane in which the tensile forces are acting
On this basis, the tensile structure are divided into
following types.
a) Linear Tensile Structures
b) Three-dimensional Tensile Structures
c) Surface-Stressed Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures
a) Linear Tensile Structures
All the member are in linear tensile forces and
supported by the compression members.
The major loads are carried out by tensile members
(cables).
Example:- Suspension bridges, Cable-stayed
bridges, Cable-stayed beams or trusses

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 Types of Tensile Structures
Main pillars acts as compression members but the
whole load is carried out by the cables which are
in tension.

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 Types of Tensile Structures

Cable-stayed bridges

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 Types of Tensile Structures
b) Three-dimensional Tensile Structures
a compilation of elements that are primarily in
tension with the compression being transferred to a
central mast and down into the ground.
The most common occurrence of three-dimensional
tension can be seen at sports arenas and usually
serve as roofs for these structures.

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 Types of Tensile Structures
c) Surface-Stressed Tensile Structures
 The surface members are tension bearing members.

 Fabric tensile structures are the great examples

of Surface-stressed tensile structures.
 The vertical pillars hold the special designed fabric
which is in tension.
 Examples:- Fabric structure, Pre-stressed membranes,
Pneumatically stressed membranes, Grid shell
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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures
Classification of tensile structures based on the
shapes
a) Conical Tension Structure
b) Hyperbolic paraboloid or Anticlastic Structure
c) Parallel Arch or Barrel Vault Structure
d) Cable Net and Membrane Structure

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 Types of Tensile Structures
a) Conical Tension Structure
Membranes are tensioned between a ring at the
pinnacle and the lower perimeter support columns.
Highly effective for covering large areas.
Cones are especially effective in areas that need to
comply with high rain or snow load regulations.
Easily identified by its tent-like shape.

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 Types of Tensile Structures

Denver International Airport, USA

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 Types of Tensile Structures

Inside view

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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures
b) Hyperbolic paraboloid or Anticlastic Structure
 These structures rely on two opposing curvatures also known
as anticlastic for their stability.
 Anticlastic surfaces have negative Gaussian curvature.

 This means the two directional forces are in opposing

directions such as the cone, saddle or hyperbolic
paraboloid.
 This type of structure is ideal for shade over seating areas or
high traffic walkways.
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 Types of Tensile Structures
The opposing directional forces that are introduced
by pre-stressing the fabric in both directions
counterbalance each other.
Conversely, synclastic surfaces have positive
Gaussian curvature that is curvature in the same
direction such the dome.
Since the forces are in the same orientation, these
forces must be balanced by air pressure.
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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures
c) Parallel Arch or Barrel Vault Structure
It’s a symmetrical curved parallel arch.
Incredibly functional tensioned membrane canopy
Span long distances such as a sports arena or
smaller areas such as an entryway.

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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures
d) Cable Net and Membrane Structure
For long-span tensile membrane roofing
applications typically found in stadiums or large
spaces.
3D cable net or cable grid structures are an efficient
solution for lightweight tensile architecture.

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 Types of Tensile Structures
Classification of tensile structures based on the type
of supports provided
a) Stayed
b) Suspended
c) Anticlastic
d) Pneumatic
e) Cable truss
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 Types of Tensile Structures
a) Stayed Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures
b) Suspended Structure

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 Types of Tensile Structures
The sequence of force transmission for the
suspension bridge:
Vehicular load + Dead load to the deck to the
suspender to the main cable to the bridge tower the
last to foundation.

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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures
c) Anticlastic structure
Structure with two different curvatures acting in
opposite direction.

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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures
d) Pneumatic Structure
 Pneumatic structure is a membrane structure stabilized by the
pressure of compressed air.
 Air-supported structures are supported by internal air pressure.

 A network of cables stiffens the fabric and the assembly is

supported by a rigid ring at the edge.
 The components of a pneumatic structure consist of a membrane,
supporting cables and anchorage system and an HVAC system.

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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures

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 Types of Tensile Structures
e) Cable truss Structure

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 Types of Tensile Structures
e) Cable truss Structure

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 Components of Tensile Structures
Structurally, the system is formalized by combining
three elements: membranes, rigid structures such
as pole and masts and cables.
Membranes are the elements which carries stresses
acting parallel to the local surface and may be
composed from PVC-coated polyester fibers or
PTFE-coated glass fiber.

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 Components of Tensile Structures
Forms the enclosure of the structure. Connections
can be glued or heat welded.

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 Components of Tensile Structures
The steel frame rigid structural elements such as
arches are to support the flexible fabric and cable
membrane generate its peaks form its edges.
• MAST SUPPORTED

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 Components of Tensile Structures
Cables serve a number of functions in tensile
structure applications:
 Reinforcement of the fabric where the spans and
• MAST SUPPORTED
stresses get too large;
 Linear tension support elements along edges;
 Tie-backs and stays to stabilize rigid support
element.

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 Components of Tensile Structures

• MAST SUPPORTED

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 Components of Tensile Structures
Benefits of Tension Fabric Structures
 Beautifully diffused Daylighting

 Flexible design Aesthetics

 Long standing durability and sustainable

 Lightweight in nature

 Minimal maintenance

 Cost efficient

 Ability to span long distances

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 Components of Tensile Structures
Disadvantages of Tension Fabric Structures
 Less fire resistance
 Acoustics
• MAST SUPPORTED

 Insulation

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