Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
prompted the development of special models of calculus for this type of structure,
such as the force density method and dynamic relaxation.
The absence of a complete normative framework (EN13782:
2005
), both national
and international, compromised the spreading of a common design practice as
otherwise happens in traditional structures. The EU funded research project
DELITE
1
represented one of the
first opportunities to share the knowledge in this
field between the members of an international group. In 2001, a second European
project
2
supported the dawn of the European Network TensiNet which reunited
research centres, material producers, designers, fabricators and software developers
operating in the area of tensioned structures. The aim of the network is to collect
and organise the expertise in this
field, the results of this activity is the publishing of
the
first design guide for membrane structures (Foster and Mollaert
2004
) and
ETFE structures (Houtman
2013
), which represents the starting point for the
development of an assignment for the European Committee for Standardization
(CEN TC250) of the future Eurocode on Membrane Structures. The process will be
boosted by a recently approved COST Action
3
which aims to standardise the
material and structural testing and analysis approaches within Europe, to inform the
design of safer and more ef
cient structures, to harmonise the research on mem-
brane and foil structural skins, to collate harmonised data and tools on energy
performance and Life Cycle Analysis and to stimulate and deliver innovation and
development of new structural skin products, adaptable systems and durable
applications in the urban environment.
The international context is characterised by a few large companies, generally
focused on the material production, and several small and medium enterprises
focused on the design and manufacturing which are concentrated in several regions
strategic for this market or traditionally linked to the pioneering work of the
rst
designers and researches in this
field. Several of these companies have reached the
necessary critical mass for approaching the international market and are constantly
involved in R&D activities in order to satisfy the safety and market requirements.
Due to the high level of know-how involved, several activities are managed within
a network of companies and research institutions specialising in speci
c parts of the
building process required by a tensioned membrane roof.
In the last decades, research institutes, companies and designers operating in this
field grouped together in several associations and networks such as Industrial Fabrics
Association International (IFAI), TensiNet (European Network for Tensioned
Membrane Structure), Membrane Structures Association of Japan (MSAJ), Light-
weight Structures Association of Australasia (LSAA) and International Association
for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS). The research advances are periodically
1
Design and manufacture of minimum energy forms of lightweight tension membranes, 1998
-
2000, FP4-BRITE/EURAM 3, Fourth Framework Programme.
2
Thematic Network on Tensile Structure, 2001
2004, GROWTH-KA1/FP5, Fifth Framework
-
Programme.
3
Novel structural skins: Improving sustainability and ef
ciency through new structural textile
materials and designs, 2013
-
2017, Action TU1303, Transport and Urban Development.
