Dependance of Membrane Stress on the Supports Geometry of the Barrel-Vault Shaped Tensile Membrane Structures

Abstract

Membrane stress under load depends on several factors in tensile membrane structures. This research aims to find out how geometry of the supports affects the membrane stress in barrel-vault shaped membranes. A numerical experiment is conducted and the parameters of the support geometry are varied in order to understand their influence on the maximal membrane stress under load. Three load types are applied to numerical models and maximal stresses are monitored. The results show how change of the size of the base of the structure and the change of the height of the supporting arches influence the stress. The results can be used in design of tensile membrane structures, but also in assessing the possibilities for integration with other systems, such as photovoltaics.