Form Determination - Tensile Fabric Structures: Design, Analysis, and Construction - page 66

5.3.5 Construction Studies
Efficient and safe construction of tensioned fabric structures requires a thorough
understanding of the erection sequence and procedure. Cranes and equipment will
need to be strategically placed. The placement of membrane sections must be
carefully coordinated with the installation of temporary and permanent cables, masts
and supporting structures (Figure 5-11).
Figure 5-11
Construction Study Model
(Photograph courtesy of Birdair, Inc)
5.4 Simple Preliminary Analysis
Although the geometric description of a tensioned surface may be complex, all the
rules of static equilibrium hold throughout every tensioned membrane. There are a
variety of simple ways to consider and analyze membrane surfaces which do not
require the solution of numerous non-linear simultaneous equations. These techniques
are extremely useful in investigating the viability and general behavior of possible
forms. By investigating the general behavior at several critical locations, the designer
can quickly get an indication of the probable behavior of the overall structure.
The curvature of most surfaces can be reasonably approximated by circular arcs over
a finite distance. This simplifying assumption can be used with the structural
characteristics of membranes: no compression, bending or shear, balanced tension
forces and minimal surface area to develop a reasonable analysis.