Pneumatic Structures A revival of formal experiments Niels Wouters / 0930132 Pneumatic Structures A revival of formal experiments Niels Wouters / 0930132 Contents Introduction . 3 General Principles . 5 Technical Background . 7 Form. .7 Materials. .8 Construction. .8 Real-Life Examples . 9 Parasite.-.Michael.Rakowitz.(USA). .9 Yorkshire.Pavilion.-.VA.(Norway). .10 Spacebuster.-.Raumlabor.(Germany). .14 Air.Forest.-.Mass.Studies.(Japan). .16 Inflatable.Teahouse.-.Kengo.Kuma.(Japan). .20 2 Introduction Our society has drastically changed since the 1960’s . Not only did sociological concepts and issues in the field of politics and social life change drastically, also a handful of technical innovations have improved the overall quality of life .Televisions were introduced in our living rooms; communication via telephone was made available to anyone; and popular rock music got introduced to the masses . In the field of architecture innovative materials and new knowledge allowed for more intensive formal and structural experimenting . Building upon the foundations from the 1950’s HAUS-RUCKER-CO.-.Oasis.Nr ..7.(1972) towards formal experiments and freeform thinking that Richard budget restrictions and technical stood out in their urban contexts, Buckminster Fuller help lay, a obstacles, the whole subculture of such as alien crafts landed new generation of engineers pneumatic constructions silently amongst the stone, glass and and architects introduces the died out . grass . In Austria renowned artists population to an architecture for like Coop Himmelb(l)au and the new era .An overwhelming Of those exploring inflatable HAUS-RUCKER-CO explored embrace of bubbles in their architecture in the sixties the possibilities of pneumatic numerous connotations and seventies, Ant Farm was dwelling units .Yet without clients (lightness, transparency, the most prolific, gearing a or sites they failed to get beyond embrace, equality, difference) number of projects around air the prototype stage . Even critic characterizes this period of the and plastic, and even creating Reyner Banham got in on the 60’s .An environment in which an Inflatocookbook . Fellow act, combining the ideas of free thinking was allowed and Americans like Jersey Devil Buckminster Fuller and Marshall stimulated, resulted in the use also explored what they called McLuhan in a transparent igloo he of airy constructions for shaping Inflatables in the early seventies, designed with Francois Dallegret . enclosures . Nevertheless, due to created as “happenings” that 3 Ant.Farm.-.Expositon.of.Inflatocoocbook.at.MUMOK,.Vienna.(2008) Nevertheless, our present- and other improvements have background will be outlined . day architectural scene is contributed to the durability In this chapter the usefunless characterized by a certain and cost-effectiveness of these of techniques and materials renaissance of pneumatic constructions . in relation to membrane and constructions .Although mostly pneumatic constructions will encountered in temporary This research document will first be described . Finally the subject building projects, they also discuss the general principles of will be practically illustrated on take an important role in art pneumatic constructions, their the basis of a couple of real life installations and experimental advantages and the possible examples, both from the past and construction techniques .There disadvantages or caveats . present . is no doubt that technological Secondly the necessary technical 4 General Principles Air-inflated and air-supported the type of weaving and so on . high air pressure is required structures represent a special The compressed air pretensions to keep the elements in shape . area of membrane construction . the membrane and forms the This leads to higher energy In pneumatic constructions, volume of the structure defined costs, a parameter which cannot pressure differences between by the membrane-cutting pattern . be relentlessly denied in a the enclosed space and the Such a pre-stressed membrane century of energy awareness . exterior are responsible for can support both tension and Innovations in this field have giving the building its shape and compression and thus can led to a new structural concept, also for stabilizing the hull . Fabric withstand bending moments . Tensairity® . It counters the major is pretensioned by an internal Obviously, the pre-stress in the energy-related disadvantage, by overpressure of the air .While membrane is a function of the air combining the classic pneumatic this might seem at first to be pressure . structure with an internal cable- uncomfortable to the occupants strut structure .The main function of the structure, the pressure The membrane’s minimal weight of the pneumatic structure is to differential is no greater than and small size when deflated stabilize the cable-strut structure . that of ordinary barometric allow for easy manipulation and Tensairity structures have a fluctuations . transport, hence offer a lot of multitude of very interesting perspectives towards repeated properties . Not only is the beam Pneumatic structures are a use at different locations . very light, but it can also keep its combination of two components However, proper attention shape under very low pressure . with very different properties: should be paid to deflating the Compact transport and compact an airtight membrane and construction . Depending on the storage is possible, as well as compressed air .Air is a gas, materials used for constructing fast and easy deployment on essentially composed of nitrogen, the skin, there is a danger that site . Furthermore, new lighting oxygen and carbon dioxide, folds damage the skin when possibilities and special forms can and its properties are merely improperly stowed . Should any be realized with Tensairity . One of defined by its composition, the cracks and leaks appear, a prompt the most outstanding properties temperature, the pressure and repair is necessary although a of Tensairity is that the structure the volume .The membrane is in a damaged inflated structure will is adaptable to changing load solid state and its properties are most likely maintain its form conditions . defined by the material properties because of the minimal difference and geometry of the constituents, between inner and outer air However, because of the specifics as well as by the way materials pressure . of Tensairity structures – an are used for its construction, such explanation of which would fall as the chemical composition and One of the main disadvantages beyond the scope of this research the elastic modulus of the yarn, of pure pneumatic constructions – it is likely that focus will remain the mass density of the coating, however is that a constant on classic pneumatic structures . 5 Typical.pneumatic.structure,.deflated.and.inflated.-.Simulated.via.nParticle.method.in.Maya 6 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT Technical Background Form internal structure coupling high lateral forces of the border in Pneumatic structures follow strict the cushion .Another option is physical rules, which influence to implement them as a cover their form-finding and their design on a primary structure and PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT process .The form of a pneumatic allowing them to guide horizontal structure can always be derived forces into the main structure . from a specific formula: p.=.nk./.rk. Compression load is carried by an +.ns./.rs . increase in pressure on the other side of the cushion . In this formula, p is the internal pressure appearing on the inside Nevertheless, in modern of the construction . Both nk constructions, we tend to notice and ns define the membrane the use of air beams mostly .Air stress, whereas rk and rs define beams are cushions in the form the radius of the curves . Based of a tube or sphere .These can on the results of this formula, a be used for either compression classification of three different struts or beams, as compression PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT types of constructions can be of bending leads to a reduction drafted . of the implemented volume . Therefore, inner pressure is A first group of constructions increased, as well as pressure and are the air-supported halls, which bending resistance . are fixed circumferentially to PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT a foundation and have a great synclastic curvature .The external loads like forces of nature and Tension.diagrams.for.air-supported.halls,.air. weight of the skin itself, are cushions.and.air.beams . supported by thePRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT air residing inside the hall . Internal loads pointing outwards are carried by the membrane and have a tension-increasing effect . Secondly, cushionPRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT structures are pneumatic structures in two PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT layers .They are attached to an 7 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT EDUCATIONAL AUTODESK AN BY PRODUCED PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT EDUCATIONAL AUTODESK AN BY PRODUCED PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT EDUCATIONAL AUTODESK AN BY PRODUCED Graphical.representation.of.air-supported.hall.and.hall.constructed.with.airbeams Materials in sheets, usually about 3,6m issues when exposed to wide and with varying length . ultraviolet light . Made from laminated membranes The easiest and most common such as fiberglass, nylon, or