Straight and curved: Recent developments with Tensairity® Rolf H. Luchsinger Center for Synergetic Structures EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland

Introduction

Introduction Tensairity telescope enclosure, 12m, Tenerife, Spain, 2008, Airlight Ltd

Introduction Tensairity roof 38 m, National Tennis Center, London, 2010, Airlight Ltd

Straight I: Tensairity column 5 m span, 16 kg mass, 11 kN max load p = 150 mbar Plagianakos TS, Teutsch U, Crettol R & Luchsinger RH. Static response of a spindle-shaped Tensairity column to axial compression. Engineering Structures 31, 1822-1831 (2009)

Straight I: Tensairity column plain spindle web spindle Stiffness: +100 % , Buckling load: +40% Wever TE, Plagianakos TS, Luchsinger RH, Marti P. Effect of fabric webs on the static response of spindle-shaped Tensairity columns. Journal of Structural Engineering ASCE 136(4), 410-418, (2010).

? Straight II: Tensairity beam - Basic principles H Tension/compression elements: Air pressure: (~ 50-300 mbar) Fabric: (~10 kN/m) ? (Experiments, FEM) Deflection:

Straight II: Tensairity beam Compact transport, fast set up, light weight

Straight II: Tensairity beam High load bearing capacity

k = ? Tensairity beam: Analytical model Beam on elastic foundation with compressive forces k = ?

Tensairity beam: Analytical model Two coupled ODE´s

Tensairity beam: Analytical model BC: Determination of H

Tensairity beam: Analytical model q=1 kN/m, q=1 kN/m, Approximation (slenderness)

Tensairity beam: Analytical model

Straight III: Tensairity “madraz”

Straight III: Tensairity “madraz”

Straight III: Tensairity “madraz” web - Tensairity Dimension: 3 x 0.5 x 0.25 m Weight: 6.1 kg (3.7 kg metal + 2.4 kg hull) = 4 kg/m2 Load: 3.6 kN, 2.4 kN/m2, L/D = 60 Deflection: 23 mm, L/128

Straight III: Tensairity “madraz” p = 150 mbar Beam theory:

Straight IV: Foldable Tensairity De Laet L, Luchsinger RH, Crettol R, Mollaert M, De Temmermann N. Deployable Tensairity Structures. Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures 50 (2), 121-128 (2009)

Curved I: Tensairity arch ABAQUS/Explicit

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch

Curved I: Tensairity arch 10 m span, 90 kg mass, 3.5 ton max load HP Gasser AG

Curved II: Tensairity kite 8 m span, 11m2 area, 3 kg mass, 1 kN max load Breuer JMC, Luchsinger RH, “Inflatable kites using the concept of Tensairity”. Aerospace Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/j.ast.2010.04.009 (2010)

Curved and Straight: Tensairity actuator Luchsinger RH, Bräker M. A novel pneumatic actuator with Tensairity. In: Brebbia CA (ed.), Design & Nature V, 365-374, WIT Press, Southampton (2010)

Conclusion Recently major steps in the R&D of Tensairity have been done Close interaction between models, experiments, FEM and analysis Dedicated team

Conclusion