Effect of Fabric Webs on the Static Response of Spindle-Shaped Tensairity Columns
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 4
Abstract
Tensairity is a lightweight structural concept comprising struts and cables stabilized by a textile membrane which is inflated by low pressurized air. This paper addresses the effect of fabric webs inside the membrane hull on the static response of spindle-shaped Tensairity columns to axial compression. Two full-scale spindle-shaped columns, one without and one with webs, were fabricated and tested. The columns were subjected to axial compressive loading for various levels of internal air pressure to quantify its effect on the global structural response. It was found that the stiffness and the load bearing capacity for both columns increased with increasing air pressure. The experimental results also revealed the benefits of including fabric webs in the spindle configuration in terms of axial stiffness and buckling load. Comparisons with an analytical solution and finite-element predictions showed good correlation for the axial stiffness in the case without webs. For the case with web deviations between predicted and experimental results indicated that structural detailing and imperfections in the manufacturing process strongly influence the performance of Tensairity columns with internal webs.
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Acknowledgments
The writers like to thank HP Gasser AG for the fabrication of the hulls. The financial support of Festo is also gratefully acknowledged.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 136 • Issue 4 • April 2010
Pages: 410 - 418
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 27, 2009
Accepted: Sep 30, 2009
Published online: Oct 8, 2009
Published in print: Apr 2010
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