Draft table of contents of a Eurocode for the structural design of Tensile
Surface Structures
Note: 7 sub-topics in grey discussed 2010-11-24
1. Material properties
2. Design loading conditions
3. Analysis methods
4. Detailing
5. Structural design and safety criteria
6. Fabrication, handling, packing
7. Installation & maintenance
Purpose of the guideline
The guideline for the structural design of Tensile Surface Structures is aimed at laying the ground
for a future Eurocode.
The guideline is prepared in a network of stakeholders coordinated by the TensiNet Association.
The network includes:
- technical textiles producers
- tensile surface structures fabricators
- contractors
- architects and designers
- engineers
- research institutes and universities
- representatives from CEN/TC 250
- …
General layout of the guideline
The guideline consists of
- a general Part 1 General introduction and scope
- Parts 2 to 8 which are related to specific aspects of the structural analysis and erected
construction
The layout of the guideline is also an indicator for the sequence of works to be performed.
Preparation of the guideline
The guideline will be prepared by the TensiNet Association (www.tensinet.com) in close contact
with the European Organisation for Technical Approvals (EOTA) born out of the Construction
Products Directive 89/106/EC (CPD). The guideline and research items will be based on
-
The TensiNet Design Guide and TensiNet working documents
Existing and draft national codes and guidelines
Research results, like from the IP Contex-T (www.contex-t.eu)
Contents of the various Parts
The following general information needs to be specified
- Scope
- Normative references (Compatibility with existing Eurocodes has to be guaranteed. See
http://eurocodes.jrc.ec.europa.eu/showpage.php?id=332)
- Symbols
- Specific terms
Contents for a guideline for Tensile Surface Structures by TensiNet
Version 03-03-2011
1
Part 1 General introduction and scope
The content of Part 1 is listed below:
1. Form, Behaviour and Qualities of Fabric Structures
2. Applications and Classification
o Structure categories according to the function of the structure
o Structure categories according to the life expectancy or duration of use
3. Design Sequence
4. Equilibrium Surfaces
5. Wealth of Forms
o Anticlastic Tensioned Membrane Structures
o Synclastic Tensioned Membrane Structures
6. Materials
7. Actions
o Eurocode 1: Actions on structures
o Additional specific load conditions …
8. Membrane Support Structures
o Steel (Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures)
o Wood (Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures)
o Aluminium (Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures) …
9. Analysis methods
10.
Structural design and safety criteria
o Ultimate Limit States
o Serviceability Limit States
11. Design Development and Detailing
12. Requirements for fabrication, handling and packing
13.
Requirements for erection and tensioning
Part 2 First structural design
1. Formfinding
2. Simulation models
3. Methods for Design
o Geometric Formfinding
o Analytical Methods
o Force Density
o Dynamic Relaxation
o Finite Element Method
4. Weave direction on surface
o Isotropic materials
o Anisotropic materials
5. Pre-tension
6. Supporting structure
7. Analysis methods for load bearing behaviour
o Analytical Methods
o Force Density
o Dynamic Relaxation
o Finite Element Method
8. Patterning
9. Verification
10. New and emerging methods
Contents for a guideline for Tensile Surface Structures by TensiNet
Version 03-03-2011
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Part 3 Materials
1. Materials
o Base Fabrics
o Coatings
o Coated Fabrics
o Films
2. Material behaviour
3. Technical membrane materials
o PTFE-coated glass fabric
o PVC-coated polyester fabric
o Silicone-coated glass fabric
o PTFE yarn fabrics
o ETFE film
4. New and emerging materials
This paragraph needs input for material behaviour and material strength
Part 4 Design loading conditions
1. Selfweight
2. Prestress
3. Snow on doubly curved surfaces (Eurocode 1: Actions on structures)
o Wind tunnel testing
o CFD
4. Wind on doubly curved surfaces (Eurocode 1: Actions on structures)
o Wind tunnel testing
o CFD
5. Temperature
6. Seismic Loading
7. Construction Tolerance
8. Load Factors and Load Combinations
9. Disproportionate Collapse
10. Foundations
Part 5 Detailing
1. Detailing Principles
2. Patterning
3. Types of connections
o Seams
o Edges
o Field Supports
o Corners
o Base plates
o Anchorage
Scenarios for testing have to be established
Contents for a guideline for Tensile Surface Structures by TensiNet
Version 03-03-2011
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Part 6 Structural design and safety criteria
1. Membrane: Stress Factors
2. Cables, Ropes and Webbing Belts: Stress Factors
3. Supporting Steelwork, Wooden or Aluminium Elements: Stress Factors
4. Design of members for Ultimate Limit States
o Struts
o Columns
o Beams
o Arches
o Cables
5. Design for Serviceability Limit States
o Deformations
o ‘Ponding’
o ‘Flutter’
6. Fully Integrated Stability Analyses
7. Damage scenarios and testing
8. Safety factors
Various topics require detailed studies and/or research (γM values,Ψ values, load distributions…)
Part 7. Fabrication, handling and packing
Part 8. Installation and maintenance
Contents for a guideline for Tensile Surface Structures by TensiNet
Version 03-03-2011
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