01 Structural PrinciplesMembranes

Structural Principles
of Membranes
Institute for Membrane and Shell Technologies e.V.

Associated Institute of the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Germany
IMS e.V.
www.ims-institute.org
- Structural principles of membranes-
Hanging loads on a cable will give

such a shape.
The cable will pull on the anchoring
hooks.
Ceno Tec
Upwards pulling forces will create the

same shape in the opposite direction.
- Structural principles of membranes -
The result shows that to be able to

fix a point three-dimensionally, we need
4 opposite anchoring directions.
Ceno Tec
For stabilizing a whole surface we have to apply

this principle on every point of the surface.
Now the three-dimensional counter curved
surface is created.
In scientific terms it is called Anticlastic Shape.
- Structural principles of membranes High sag => little force
ISIMEM
- Structural principles of membranes -
ISIMEM
The more flat, the higher the forces;

especially to counter the deflection of loads in textiles!
In order to find a shape we have to introduce the principle of
Prestress;
with this approach we can find a shape
His process we call :
Formfinding.
This process is unique for membrane structures.
Form
Beam Edge - rigid - Cable Edge - flexible -
Basic Forms
Saddle Shape
Conical Shape
Wave Form
valley and ridge
cable
Arch
Pneumatics
Antiklastic / Synklastic Shape

Anticlastic
Synclastic
(counter curved)
(curved in the same

radial direction)
typical for:
typical for:
- Saddle Shape (Hypar)

- Conical Shape
- Wave Form
- Arch Form
- Pneumatics
Saddle Shape/Hypar
Simple Hypar
Saddle Shapes with more than 4 corner points
Addition of Saddle Shapes

IMS e.V.
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

The Saddle Shape always has an anticlastic form, it is curved in two
directions. So downward curve (warp direction) can take the upward
wind load, while the upward curve (weft direction) can bear
downward loads like rain or snow.
Simple 4 point-hypar with edge cables
source: www.mehler-texnologies.com
Saddle Shape/ Hypar
Simple 4-point-hypar with beam edge
Wertkauf, Mnchen
source: Textiles Bauen by Stromeyer
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Examples for mixed edges: cables and beam
Two beam edges, two cable edges
One beam edge, three cable edges
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Examples for mixed edges: cables and beam
source: www.schmitz-peter.de
source: www.schmitz-peter.de
Yard cover
Sun sail for a balcony
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Hypar: with only one mast
Hypar: symmetrical, two masts
Hypar: hung up on building and one mast
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

The Influence of the Curvature
strong curvature
less curvature
hardly any curvature danger of watersack
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Other Examples for 4 point-hypars
source: www.news-shadesasia.com
source: www.news-shadesasia.com
Garden pavillons
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Other Examples for 4 point-hypars
Art sculptures
Tsunami Shade Structures,

source: Fabric Structures by Samuel J.Armijos
Fabric Structures in Urban Setting, UK

Saddle Shapes/Hypar
With more than 4 corner points

IMS e.V.
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

6-corner points: 2 high points, 4 low points
Tent for the TCP Ministry, Brunei, source: www.sl-rasch.de
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

10-corner points:
6 high points, 4 low points
Shopping Mall, Luxemburg, source: www.ceno-tec.com
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

8-corner points: 6 high points, 2 low points
Lotus Flower, by G.H. Bruce,
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Other Examples for Hypars with more than 4 corner points
Thowal Tents, 1990, Jeddah, Saudi-Arabia

source: www.tensinet.com
Roof over Architecture Office Willy van der Meeren,1969,

Saddle Shapes/Hypar
Examples for Additions

IMS e.V.
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Addition of Saddle Shapes - Examples
Hypars with cable edges lined up
Circular addition of hypars with beam edge
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Lined up hypars with cable edges
source: www.shadestructuresperth.com
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Circular addition of hypars
Gesundbrunnen Kln, Germany, Frei Otto,

source: www.upload-wikipedia.org
Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Lined up hypars, beam edges over the arches, cable edges at the sides
Wave Form

IMS e.V.
Wave Form
A wave shape will be formed by load bearing cables and tensioning
cables placed in parallel planes over and under a membrane surface.
Connection cable elements help to stabilize the system.
Wave form with cable edges
Wave form with beam edges
Wave Form
Wave form with beam edges
Swimming Pool Roof, Aigua, Maldonado, Uruquai,

source:www.tensinet.com
Wave Form
Brisbane Expo Pavillon, 1988, source: www.flickr.com
Wave form with cable edges forming a garland boundary
Wave Form Other Examples
Seville Olympic Stadium
Wave Form Other Examples
Okayama Dome, Japan, source: www.makukouzou.or.jp
Conical Shapes
Examples for different Floor Layouts

Different Highpoint Solutions
Examples for different Mast Solutions
Additions of Cones
Umbrellas

IMS e.V.
Conical Shape
The conical shape always has an highpoint (internal point) situated
above the plane with the basic form outerline. Again, this shape has a
double curvature. The radial lines bear outside loads while the
horizontal lines can take the loads from inside (e.g. wind)
The high point can be supported by inner or outer mast elements.
Conical shape with cable edges and

6 low points in the basic shape
outerline
Conical shape with beam edges and

6 low points
Conical Shapes
Examples for different Floor Layouts

IMS e.V.
Conical Shape Different Floor Layouts

Conical shape with circle-shaped floor layout (rigid clamped ring)
Public Space Zellik, Belgium, source: www.tensinet.com
Right angle floor layout
Octagonal system

Conical shape with right-angle floor layout
source: www.fabritecstrucures.com
Conical Shapes
Different Highpoint Solutions

IMS e.V.
Conical Shape Different High Point Solutions
Rigid clamped ring
Suspended high point, garland edge
Eye loop
Hump

Saimekadin Amphitheatre, Turkey,
source: www.fabristructures.com
Rigid clamped ring

German Pavillion,
Expo Montreal 1967, Frei Otto
source: www.fabricarchitecturemag.com
Eye Loop

Highpoint with garland-shaped cable edges
Showroom Pavilions, Leonberg, Germany,

source: www.sl-rasch.de

source: www.fabritecstructures.com
Suspended high point

Schlumberger Factory in Paris, France, 1985,
Hump:
membrane stretched
over high point
Conical Shapes
Examples for different Mast Solutions

IMS e.V.
Conical Shape Different Mast Solutions

Central mast
source: www.archiexpo.com

Inclined middle mast
source: Fabric Structures

by Samuel J.Armijos

Flying mast
Terme di Chianciano, Italy, source: www.tensinet.com
Conical Shape
Different Mast Solutions
Outside support
Yokohama Exotic Showcase,
1989
Conical Shapes
Additions of Cones

IMS e.V.
Conical Shape Additions of Cones

Right angle ground, joined
together, ridge cables become
necessary
Right angle ground, with free

edge cables, creating eyes in the
middle

Two high points
Vrije Basisschool Bertem,

Belgium

Several high points arranged in a line
source: www.fabristructures.com
Several high points in one structure with cable edges

Several high points in one structure with inclined masts
Skysong by FTL Design Engineering Studio, source: www.fabristructures.com

Several high points in one structure
source: www.fabricstructures.com

Combination of alternating high and low points

Cone top ring as low point
source: www.2010shanghai.eu
Shanghai World Expo Boulevard, China

source: www.fabricarchitecturemag.com
Conical Shape Umbrellas

Umbrella, right angle,
beam edge
Umbrella, seven corners,

free edge

Umbrella, right angle, beam edge
IHK Wrzburg, Germany,
source: www.kochmembranen.de

Umbrella, free edges
Conical Shape Addition of Umbrellas

Addition of umbrellas standing in a
line, connected, beam edges

Another example of an addition of
connected umbrellas
design by B.Eng. Yu Zhao, Archineer, Representative of the IMS in China.

Addition of
connected umbrellas
Shanghai Subway Station Line 6, China

Ensembles of free standing umbrellas, not joined

Convertible Umbrellas, Makkah and Obhur, K.S.A., source: www.sl-rasch.de

Umbrellas for the Hotel d Angleterre, Lausanne, Switzerland, source: www.sl-rasch.de

Free addition of umbrellas
Sun Protection System in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Arches

IMS e.V.
Arches
Membranes connected to or pulled over arches have an anticlastic shape.
The arch will be strained by the membrane so it will have to be stabilized
by stay cables or the membrane, depending on the design.
Arch structure with one arch and cable edges for the membrane
Arches
Arch structure with one arch and cable boundary at the arch forming eyes between
the two membrane surfaces; eyes can be left as an open space or closed with
glass, membrane etc.
www.tensinet.com
Arches
Example for an arch structure with one arch and cable boundary at the arch
www.tensinet.com
Cover of the Piazzale Italia, Italy,

Arches
Arch structure with one arch
and beam edges for the membrane
Addition of arch modules

with beam edges
Arches
Addition of modules with
square base and diagonal arch
source: www.textile-roofs.de
Le Zenith, Paris, France,

source: www.tobydammit.com
Arches
Arch structure with more than one arch arches arranged in a line
Chemical Research Center, Venafro, source: www.eyekit.blogspot.com
source: www.eyekit.blogspot.com
Arches
Arch structure with more than one arch arches standing in a row
Local Traffic Station, Puntigam, Graz, Austria, source: www.tensinet.com
Arches
Arch structure with more than one arch
Saga Headquarters, Sandgate, Kent, UK, source: www.tensinet.com
Arches
Other Examples
Membrane between arches
Wincor World, 2005 Paderborn, Germany, source: www.technet-gmbh.de
Arches
Other Examples
www.archiexpo.com
Pneumatics
Cushion Structures
Air Hall
Other Pneumatic Structures

IMS e.V.
Pneumatics
Cushion Structures

IMS e.V.
Pneumatics - Cushions
Pneumatics are air supported constructions. Air is pressed between
two or more membrane layers to build up an internal pressure
keeping the system stable. The pressure has to be slightly above the
outer atmospheric pressure + loading forces from wind and snow.
Thus different shapes can be formed.
Cushion with square base

and beam edge
Cushion with circular base

and beam edge
Cushion roof structure
Swimming Bath Rheinwelle Bingen, Germany

Dr. Krieger Architekten + Ingenieure GmbH & Co. KG, Form TL,
Ceno Tec GmbH, 2005
Pneumatics Cushions
Another example for a cushion structure
Modern Teahouse, Frankfurt, Germany, source: www.tensinet.com
Cushions are synclastic structures, the surface is curved in the same
radial direction
Mixed shape: anticlastic cable structure with synclastic cushion fillings
Example for anticlastic cable structure with synclastic cushion fillings,
Design for a yard cover: Ministries Complex, Kuwait, done by IMS e.V.
Another example: structure consisting of several cushions
Eden Project, Bodelva, China
The load-bearing of the cushion
depends on the load direction.
Snow from above is taken by the
lower underside layer;
uplift wind from the upper layer.
Pneumatics
Air Hall

IMS e.V.
Pneumatics Air Hall

In an air hall the whole inner space between ground floor and delimiting
membrane surface is filled with overpressure. Air Halls can only be
entered through air tight locks.
Air Hall with hexagonal floor layout

and air lock
Air Hall with circular floor layout
Pneumatics Air Hall

Example for an air hall with circular floor layout
Airhall Bonn, Germany, source: www.kochmembranen.de
Pneumatics Air Hall

Mobile sculpture air hall
Mobile Kitchen Monument, source: www.raumlabor.net
Pneumatics
Other Structures

IMS e.V.
Pneumatics Other Structures

Air- Forest art pavillon
Sculpture done by Mass Studies, Denver, USA,
source: www.air-mass.purzuit.com
www.spaziopubblicopalermo.org

Air Bubble
Sculpture done by the Haus-Rucker-CO group,1972, source: www.klima-wandel.de

Vision of a Grid Pavillon with facade consisting of inflated membrane grid
Mobile Perfomance Venue, design:Various Architects, source: www.dezeen.com
Principles of Tensioned Structures

Formfinding process is needed to create a shape
Anticlastic shape for mechanically prestressed structures
Synclastic shape for pneumatic structures
Spacial curvature ( synclastic, anticlastic) needs patterning
like tailoring of cloths;
Change of shape under load ( large deformations) is a
loadbearing principle ( like trees in nature, eartquake
resistance);
Compensation is needed for stressed structures.
Erection requires the possibility of introducing stress and
anchoring of the resulting forces.

01 Structural PrinciplesMembranes

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Structural Principles

Institute for Membrane and Shell Technologies e.V.

- Structural principles of membranes-

Hanging loads on a cable will give

Upwards pulling forces will create the

- Structural principles of membranes -

The result shows that to be able to

For stabilizing a whole surface we have to apply

In scientific terms it is called Anticlastic Shape.

- Structural principles of membranes High sag => little force

- Structural principles of membranes -

The more flat, the higher the forces;

In order to find a shape we have to introduce the principle of

His process we call :

Beam Edge - rigid - Cable Edge - flexible -

Antiklastic / Synklastic Shape

(curved in the same

- Saddle Shape (Hypar)

Institute for Membrane and Shell Technologies e.V.

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Simple 4 point-hypar with edge cables

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Simple 4-point-hypar with beam edge

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Two beam edges, two cable edges

One beam edge, three cable edges

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Sun sail for a balcony

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Hypar: symmetrical, two masts

Hypar: hung up on building and one mast

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

hardly any curvature danger of watersack

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Tsunami Shade Structures,

Fabric Structures in Urban Setting, UK

Institute for Membrane and Shell Technologies e.V.

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Shopping Mall, Luxemburg, source: www.ceno-tec.com

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Thowal Tents, 1990, Jeddah, Saudi-Arabia

Roof over Architecture Office Willy van der Meeren,1969,

Institute for Membrane and Shell Technologies e.V.

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Hypars with cable edges lined up

Circular addition of hypars with beam edge

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Lined up hypars with cable edges

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Circular addition of hypars

Gesundbrunnen Kln, Germany, Frei Otto,

Saddle Shape/ Hypar

Institute for Membrane and Shell Technologies e.V.

Wave form with cable edges

Wave form with beam edges

Wave form with beam edges

Swimming Pool Roof, Aigua, Maldonado, Uruquai,

Brisbane Expo Pavillon, 1988, source: www.flickr.com

Wave form with cable edges forming a garland boundary

Wave Form Other Examples

Seville Olympic Stadium