Experimental and simulation analysis of the initial shape of a large-span air-supported membrane structure

• Published in: Thin-walled structures 2022-09, Vol.178, p.109491, Article 109491
• Main Authors: Li, Xiongyan, Zhang, Zhen, QiChu, Xue, Suduo, Yanli, He
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air-supported membrane structure; Cable net; Form-finding; Forming test; State-finding
• ISSN: 0263-8231; 1879-3223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2022.109491

In recent years, air-supported membrane structures have been widely used in China’s environmental protection of closed coal yards and in sports stadiums. There have been breakthroughs year by year in the numbers constructed, unit area, and span. At present, the largest span of an air-supported membrane structure coal shed has reached 198 m. As the span increases, the force-bearing performance of the structure is more closely related to its shape. In this paper, based on a 225m×198m×66m(Length × width × height) long-span air-supported membrane structure test model, the form-finding and state-finding analysis of the air-supported membrane structure with longitudinal and transverse cable nets were carried out, and the results were compared with the forming test results. The results show that the prestressed state of the structure obtained by the state-finding analysis is closer to the test results. However, there is a specific difference with the target height. At the same time, the form-finding analysis can accurately find the target height, but the structure’s cable force and section shape are quite different from the test results. •The shape of the membrane surface and the force characteristics of the cable net was measured through the experiment.•Two numerical analysis methods are used to obtain the force characteristics of the air-supported membrane structure.•The advantages and disadvantages of the two methods are obtained by comparing the experimental and simulation results.•The problems that should be paid attention to in the design of large-span air-supported membrane structures are put forward.