Research Article
Feb 1979
Optimum Cable Configuration for Air-Supported Structures
Publication: Journal of the Structural Division
Volume 105, Issue 2
Abstract
It is anticipated that the design of large-span air-supported structures will increasingly rely on a two-way system of reinforcing cables to provide the overall structural integrity. This report makes recommendations on the optimum shape for such reinforcing cable networks if the deflections and cable forces are to be minimized. It is proposed that this optimum will comprise cables that follow lines of initial geodesic curvature and will therefore maintain constant tension along their lengths. Examination of numerical results for a spherical cap and a part-circular cylinder under lateral loading support this proposal and confirm the advantages of geodesic networks over networks that follow lines of principal curvature. Numerical results are obtained with the use of an iterative computer program based on previous work and adapted for the solution of tension-only structures. Consideration of the numerical difficulties encountered with this class of structure is included.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of the Structural Division
Volume 105 • Issue 2 • February 1979
Pages: 421 - 435
Copyright
© 1979 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published in print: Feb 1979
Published online: Feb 1, 2021
Permissions
Request permissions for this article.
Authors
Affiliations
David J. Malcolm, AM.ASCE
Asst. Prof., Dept. of Mech. Engrg., The Univ. of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Peter G. Glockner, M.ASCE
Prof., Dept. of Mech. Engrg., The Univ. of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
View Options
Get Access
Access content
Please select your options to get access
Log in/Register
Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members:
Please log in to see member pricing
Purchase
Save for later Item saved, go to cart Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Get Access
Access content
Please select your options to get access
Log in/Register
Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members:
Please log in to see member pricing
Purchase
Save for later Item saved, go to cart Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.