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A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Mechanics of inflatable structures
Overhead presentation: Inflated structures are light, easy to erect, transport and store. A special aspect of their behaviour is that their failure is reversible. If an inflated tube or panel is folded and, then, the effort is released, it comes back to its initial state; this is a very unique property of inflated structures. Another interesting feature of inflated elements is the possibility of remote control through the control of inflation pressure. These structures may be used in building applications such as tents, shelters or halls, but also in other types of structures like poles, forms, scaffoldings, footbridges, temporary bridges, cofferdams, space applications for which lightweight and small volume when folded is most important, and many others. However, the potentialities of these structures are being very far from being fully developed. For one thing strength of polymer fibres seems largely underestimated by potential users working in other fields than textile industry. Also there are many who do not seem to be aware of the performance of inflated elements. The main subject of this study is the evaluation of the deformation of an inflated structure under a given load. Beyond the objective of anticipating deformations, a good understanding of the mechanics of inflated structures is necessary for a pertinent design of such structures. Choosing geometry of components, inflation pressure and selecting the proper fabric requires to be able to compare different designs in terms of stresses and strains, to find the most efficient and economical design.
Mechanics of inflatable structures
Overhead presentation: Inflated structures are light, easy to erect, transport and store. A special aspect of their behaviour is that their failure is reversible. If an inflated tube or panel is folded and, then, the effort is released, it comes back to its initial state; this is a very unique property of inflated structures. Another interesting feature of inflated elements is the possibility of remote control through the control of inflation pressure. These structures may be used in building applications such as tents, shelters or halls, but also in other types of structures like poles, forms, scaffoldings, footbridges, temporary bridges, cofferdams, space applications for which lightweight and small volume when folded is most important, and many others. However, the potentialities of these structures are being very far from being fully developed. For one thing strength of polymer fibres seems largely underestimated by potential users working in other fields than textile industry. Also there are many who do not seem to be aware of the performance of inflated elements. The main subject of this study is the evaluation of the deformation of an inflated structure under a given load. Beyond the objective of anticipating deformations, a good understanding of the mechanics of inflated structures is necessary for a pertinent design of such structures. Choosing geometry of components, inflation pressure and selecting the proper fabric requires to be able to compare different designs in terms of stresses and strains, to find the most efficient and economical design.
Mechanics of inflatable structures
Mechanik von aufblasbaren Strukturen
Leflaive, E. (author) / Wielgoß, C. (author)
2003
18 Seiten, 14 Bilder
Conference paper
Storage medium
English