P N E U M AT I C S T R U C T U R E S

By Kuncha Tangha
BA14ARC025
Pneumatic structures are essentially Membrane structures which
are stabilized by the pressure of compressed air and are tensile
skinned, closely related to suspended structures.

Inflatable structures are typically classified as Pneumatic structures

and are structural forms stabilized wholly or mainly by pressure
differences of gases, liquids etc materials in bulk.

On solid ground, pneumatic structures had a first breakthrough as shelters

for radar devices after World War II.
The shelter needed to be lightweight, mobile and deployable in short time
and without any metallic parts, ideal requirements for pneumatic structures.
The first experiments with pneumatic structures
were undertaken during the development of hot air
balloons. Brazilian priest Bartolomeu de Gusmão, in
Lisbon, conducted a pioneering experiment as soon
as 1709. Montgolfier brothers built an 11m diameter
hot air balloon, made by linen and paper.

At the same year, Jaques A. C. Charles built the first

hydrogen balloon. The large rigid dirigible of the
end of 19th century and beginning of the 20th
century (Herzog, 1977; Forster, 1994).

During the Word War II, and after the invention of

nylon, pneumatics started to be used in military
operations, as emergency shelters and decoys.
In 1948, Bird and his team achieved the construction of a 15m diameter pneumatic dome, the prototype for a series of
large “radomes” (as they have been called) built by Birdair Structures. This pioneered, during the 1960’s, the
commercial application of pneumatics, as covers for warehouses, swimming pools, sport facilities and factories.

It was Frei Otto who broadened the landscape, not only of pneumatics, but of tension structures in general.
Pneumatics were also part of the repertoire of Richard Buckminster Fuller. His proposal of a pneumatic dome to cover
New York (1962) is a famous example of Utopian pneumatic architecture.

Pneumatic structure is a membrane which carries load developed from the tensile stresses. Its stabilization is
done by prestressing the membrane either by:-

 applying an external force which pulls the membrane taut

 internal pressurizing if the membrane is volume enclosing

Such structures are called “pneumatic structures”.

These structures can create artificial environments adaptable to human use. The pneumatic forms are bound to
increase in popularity, owing to the tremendous freedom they provide to the architects in designing large free spaces
within them.

Principle

 Its principle is the use of relatively thin membrane supported by a pressure difference.
 Through increasing the inside air pressure not only the dead weight of the space envelope is balanced, but the
membrane is stressed to a point where it cannot be indented by asymmetrical loading.
Properties of Pneumatic Structures

i. Light weight:

The weight of the structure as compared to the area it covers is very less.

 The weight of the membrane roof, even when it is stiffened by cables, is very small.
 Low air pressure is sufficient to balance it.
 Even with spans of more than 100 meter, the weight of the structure does not exceed
3kg/square meter.

ii. Span :
 For pneumatic membrane, there is no theoretical maximum span as determined by strength,
elasticity, specific weight or any other property.
 It is hardly possible to span a distance of over 36km. With a steel cables as they would fail
because of their inability to sustain their own weight. But with pneumatics, such spans are quiet
possible.
 Safety:
Pneumatic structures are safer than any other structure. Otherwise, a proper
care should be taken while establishing.
• Accidental circumstances are avoided as they are very light.
• Pneumatic structures cannot be destroyed by fire quickly and totally.
iv. Theft:
It is very safe nobody can or nothing can pass through a pneumatic structure. If
an air bag is cut with a knife/ pin, a bang is produced.

v. Quick erection and dismantling:

Suitable for temporary constructions because they are as easy to dismantle and
establish.
• 1 sq.km. of an area can be brought down in 6 hours and erected in less than 10
hours. The 4 hours difference is due to establishment of pegs etc.
vi. Economy:
First costs for a pneumatic structure always have compared favorably with those of
conventional roof structures. On a cost-per-seat basis, the advantage is even more
evident. The savings come from lower construction and supporting structure costs plus
overall economy of design. Architecturally, the design is very elegant and dramatic.

vii. Good natural light:

Gives good natural light as translucent/transparent plastic sheets are used to cover
air bags. We can even bring the whole sun inside. There is a lot of flexibility in getting sun
light (50%-80%).
TYPES OF PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES
There are two primary classes of pneumatic structures

Air – supported structures:

An Air-Supported structure is formed by one or more layers of continuous flexible
membranes anchored to the ground or to a wall so that a leak-proof seal is constituted.

This airtight structure is then inflated and pressurized by the constant supply of air. On
average the life of an Air Supported Facility is that between 20-25 years. The internal volume of a
building air is consequently at a pressure higher than atmospheric. Air must be supplied contantly
because of the continous leakage through needed openings. This puts restrictions on the amount
of openings provided.

However some of the advantages of this structures are:

 Their relatively low cost

 Their simplicity of design and fabrication
 The flexibility to use the facility for seasonal activities, therefore installing and uninstalling the facility throughout
the year, regardless of size.

Common applications : sports stadiums, the "bubbles" used to cover tennis courts and pools, and many other
temporary shelters.
Air – inflated structures:

Air cell inflatables are advanced constructions made with two layers of material with fabric formers
perpendicular in between. They are self-supporting and self-erectable by means of an air fan only with no
need for foundation, hardware or guy wires.

The internal volume of building air remains at atmospheric pressure. The pressurized air in the pillow
serves only to stablizing the load carrying membrane. The covered space is not pressurized.

Advantages of air- inflated / air frame struture :-

 The ability for self support

 The potential to support an attached structure
 No restrictions on the number and size of openings and design geometry.
MATERIALS for Pneumatic structures:-

Isotropic: - These materials show the same strength and stretch in all directions.
Examples are:-

Plastic films: - These are primarily produced from PVC, Poly ethylene, polyester,
polyamide etc.

Fabrics: - These may be made of glass fibers or synthetic fibers which are coated in a
PVC, polyester or polyurethene film.

Rubber membrane: - They are the lightest and most flexible.

Metal foils: - They possess a very high gas diffusion resistance and high tensile
strength. One of the major problems in the use of metal foils is in need to produce
very exact cutting patterns.
Anisotropic materials: - These do not show the same strength and stretch ability in all
directions. They have direction oriented properties. Examples are:-

Woven fabrics: - They have two main direction of weave.They can be made of:-

. Organic fibers e.g.: - wool, cotton or silk

. Mineral fibers e.g.:- glass fibers

. Metal fibers e.g.:- thin steel wires

. Synthetic fibers e.g.:- polyamide, polyester and polyvinyl.

Gridded fabric: - These are coarse-weave made of organic mineral or synthetic fibers
or metallic networks. They are particularly used where maximum light transmission
and high strength is required.

Synthetic rubbers: - Combination of plastic and rubber. They can take better wear
and tear. They are latest and are more resistant to elongation.

Plastics: - like woven fabrics. Its advantage is that they have more of tensile strength
than
Thank you