Developing a new military shelter system: a technical study in advanced materials and structures: Fid-Bau Portal

Developing a new military shelter system: a technical study in advanced materials and structures

Burford, N. K. / Smith, F. W.

The development of a new lightweight military shelter system is based on an unusual composite structural system utilizing the innovative use of pultrusion production techniques for plastic. The authors report on the combined development of both the structural system and the components which are made from linear pultruded sections of reinforced plastic and an anticlastic stressed membrane The shelter comprises a 'kit' of purpose designed components which are used to fulfil the multiple reuirements of the shelter brief. This has resulted in a smaller number of component parts, less weight and enhanced ease of fabrication and assembly. Some of the techniques used in the design of components and parts indicate an alternative approach to the use of plastics in building construction. Le developpement de ce nouvel abri militaire leger repose sur un systeme structurel composite original qui fait appel a l'utilisation de techniques novatrices de transformation des matieres plastiques par pultrusion (extrusion par etirage). Les auteurs decrivent le developpement combine du systeme structurel et des elements constitutifs qui sont fabriques a partir de profiles pultrudes lineaires en matiere plastique renforcee et d'une membrane qui resiste aux tensions. L'abri se presente sous la forme d'un ensemble d'elements de structure specifiquement concus permettant de repondre aux multiples conditions du cahier des charges. Le nombre de pieces est ainsi reduit, l'ensemble est plus leger et plus facile a fabriquer et a assembler. Certaines des techniques utilisees pour la conception des elements de structure et des pieces font envisager une autre methode d'utilisation des plastiques dans le secteur de la construction.