PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES

Guided by, Submitted by,

Mrs:Anjitha.C.S Vishnu.M.S
Asst: Proffessor CE7B
Dept of CIVIL ENG: YCE16CE083
YCET,Kollam Roll No: 7238

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 OVERVIEW
• INTRODUCTION
• HISTORY
• TYPES OF PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES
• GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
• SYSTEM COMPONENTS
• LOADING OF PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES
• MATERIALS
• USES
• ADVANTAGES
• DISADVANTAGES
• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCE
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 INTRODUCTION

• Membrane structures that are stabilised by pressure of compressed air.

• Pressure difference between the enclosed space and exterior are responsible for
giving the building its shape and stability.

• Pressure should be uniformly distributed for structural integrity.

• Round in shape because it creates greatest volume for least amount of material.

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Fig1: Typical view of Pneumatic structures

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Contd…

• The whole envelope has to be pressurised for better stability

• Pre-stressing of membrane can be done by applying external force or by internal

pressurising

• Membrane can support both tension and compression

• Dead weight increases by increase in the internal pressure

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 HISTORY

• Concept of pneumatic structures were developed during the development of hot

ballons.

• A Brazilian priest Gusamo conducted first experiment in 1709.

• During second world war this structures were widely used in military operations.

• These were later used for protecting radar from extreme weather conditions.

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 TYPES OF PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES

• Air supported structures

Fig2: Air supported structures

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Contd…

• They have air higher than the atmospheric pressure supporting the envelope.

• Air locks or Revolving door helps to maintain the internal pressure.

• Air must be constantly provided.

• Life span of 20-25 years.

• They are anchoraged to the ground or to a wall.

• Relatively low cost and can be installed easily.

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Contd…
• Air Inflated Structure

Fig3: Tent made from Inflated airbag

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Contd…

• Supporting frame consist of air under high pressure.

• Internal pressure of building remains at atmospheric pressure.

• There is no restriction in number and size of openings.

• They have potential to support to an attached structure.

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 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Light Weight
• Weight compared to area is less

• Low air pressure is required to balance it

Economy
• Not expensive in case of temporary structures

Safety
• More safer but proper care should be taken

• They are fire resistant upto an extent

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 SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Envelope

• They can be made of different materials.

• Cannot be used as one continuous materials.

• Materials are seemed together by sealing heat bonding.

Fig4: Envelope structure

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Contd…

Pumping equipment

• It is used to supply and maintain internal pressure inside the

structure.

• Fans, blowers or compressors are used for constant supply of air.

• Amount of air depends upon the weight of material and wind pressure.

Fig5: Pumping equipment 13

Contd…

Entrance Door

• Doors can be ordinary doors or air locks.

• Air lock minimize the chance of having an unevenly pressurised environment.

Fig6: Entrance Doors

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 LOADING OF PNUEMATIC STRUCTURES

• Wind and snow load are the primary loads that are acting on the pneumatic
structures.

• They are anchoraged very tight to the ground, no horizontal forces are exerted.

• Pneumatic structures are tensile, the envelope has ability to gain stiffness to
withstand the loads acting on them

• Designed to withstand wind load of 120m/hr and snow load of 40 pounds/yard

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 MATERIALS

Envelope Materials

• They should be light weight

• Should have high tensile strength and tear resistance

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Contd…

1) Fibre Glass

• They have tensile strength,elastic behaviour and durability

• Coatted with Teflon or silicon to increase resistance to extreme

temperature and UV radiation

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Fig7: Fibre Glass
Contd..

2) Polyester
• Common envelope material for smaller structures

• PVC coated polyester is common for flexible smaller air supported

structures

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Fig8: Polyester
Contd…

Anchor materials

• Anchor materials depends on the application and size of pneumatic

structures.
1) Steel cables

• Steel wires are twisted into strands and which are then twisted
around a core to form the cable.
2) Ballast

• Materials include sand bags, concrete blocks or bricks.

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 USES
• Sports and recreation

Fig9: Hockey stadium

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Contd…
• Military structures

Fig10: Globular Military structure

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Contd…

• Swimming pool

Fig11: Public swimming pool

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 ADVANTAGES

• Light Weight.

• Covers large spans without internal support.

• Low initial and operating cost.

• Portability.

• Air is available practically everywhere in unlimited quantities.

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 DISADVANTAGES

• Need for continuous maintenance of excess pressure in the envelope.

• Relatively short service life.

• Continuous operations of fans to maintain pressure.

• Cannot reach the insulation values of hard walled structures.

• Hard to find leaks.

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 CASE STUDY: MINNESOTA METRODOME

• It is a sports stadium in downtown in Minnesota, USA.

• It was opened in the year 1982.
• It requires 120 cubic m/s of air to keep it inflated.
• Entire roof weighs roughly 580,000 pounds.
• It reaches 59m or about 16 storey , at its highest point.

Fig12: Typical view of Minnesota metrodome 25

 CONCLUSION

• Pneumatic structures have found wide range of applications.

• They are best suited for small and temporary construction.

• They can be quickly erected and dismantled.

• Structures can create artificial environments.

• Provoke fascination among observers.

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 REFERENCE

[1]An outline of the Evolution of Pneumatic structures Jung Yun Chi and Ruy
Marcelo de Oliveira Paluetti.

[2]Pneumatic structures:A Review of concepts,Application and analytical

methods,C.G.Riches&P.D.Gosling.

[3]Stimpfle Bernd, “structural Air-Pneumatic structures”.

[4]Vibration of Pneumatic Structures Interacting with air, R. Sygulski.

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THANK YOU

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