ENT709: Tensile Structures
| School | Cardiff School of Engineering |
| Department Code | ENGIN |
| Module Code | ENT709 |
| External Subject Code | 100153 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L7 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Professor Alan Kwan |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2012/3 |
Outline Description of Module
- To understand the underlying differences in the behaviour and analysis
- of tensile structures
- To instil confidence in the proper design of tensile structures
- To promote the use of tensile structures
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- demonstrate familiarity with advantages and disadvantages of tensile structures over conventional forms
- analyse the geometrically nonlinear static behaviour of tensile structures
How the module will be delivered
Teaching is conducted primarily through traditional lectures with audio-visual aids, handouts, and an extensive web-based depository of course material. The lectured material provides the theoretical basis for the principles of analysis covered in the syllabus. Learning is achieved primarily through on-line computational tutorials and examples, where individual supervision is provided. Support is also provided through electronic contact.
Students are expected to attend the 36 hours of scheduled contact time.
Students are expected to attend the 36 hours of scheduled contact time.
Skills that will be practised and developed
- write computational routines to assess structural viability of a given two/three-dimensional tensile structure
- conduct preliminary designs of tensile structures
- assimilate, evaluate, analyse and present complex electronic data-sets across several computer packages.
How the module will be assessed
The module is summatively assessed through an open-book online assessment involving a computational exercise, and qualitative questions relating to the structure analysed. The assessment is under examination conditions at the end of the semester.
Formative assessment is provided continuously during the semester through the weekly online sessions.
The module pass mark is 50%.
Formative assessment is provided continuously during the semester through the weekly online sessions.
The module pass mark is 50%.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assessment | 100 | Coursework | N/A |
Syllabus content
Introduction to tensile architecture
Types and categorisation of cable structures
Cable suspension and cable stayed bridges
Concept of prestressed mechanisms
Formfinding
Prestressed cablenet and membrane structures
Analysis of geometrically nonlinear structures
Static and kinematic determinacies, and selfstressing
Equilibrium and compatibility in geometrically nonlinear structures
Prestress dependent stiffness
Formfinding computations
Computation of load-deformation characteristics on
three-dimensional structures using
Stiffness matrix method
Dynamic Relaxation method
Simplified direct method
Appraisal of tensile structures to cover
Architectural form and impact;
Building environment and performance; and
Maintenance issues.
Types and categorisation of cable structures
Cable suspension and cable stayed bridges
Concept of prestressed mechanisms
Formfinding
Prestressed cablenet and membrane structures
Analysis of geometrically nonlinear structures
Static and kinematic determinacies, and selfstressing
Equilibrium and compatibility in geometrically nonlinear structures
Prestress dependent stiffness
Formfinding computations
Computation of load-deformation characteristics on
three-dimensional structures using
Stiffness matrix method
Dynamic Relaxation method
Simplified direct method
Appraisal of tensile structures to cover
Architectural form and impact;
Building environment and performance; and
Maintenance issues.
Essential Reading and Resource List
Introduction to Cable Roof Structures, H.A. Buchholdt, CUP 1985, TA660.C3.B8
Tensile Structures Vols 1 & 2, F. Otto (Ed), MIT Press 1973, TA663.T3
Light structures, structures of light: the art and engineering of tensile architecture of tensile architecture, H. Berger, Birkhauser 1996, 721.042B
Tensile architecture in the urban context, R. Scheuermann & K. Boxer, Butterworth-Heinemann 1996, NA4160.S2.1 (3 copies).
Masted structures in architecture, J.B. Harris & K. Li, Butterworth1996 TA660.M2.H2
The analysis of cable and catenary Structures, P. Broughton & P. Ndumbaro, Thomas Telford 1994, TH2417.T3
Tensile structures, M. Toy, Academy Editions, TH2417.T3
Soft canopies, M. Vandenberg, Academy Editions, 721.5V
Cable net structure, M. Vandenberg, Academy Editions, 624.1774
Cable stayed bridges, R. Walther, B Houriet, W. Isler & P Moia, T. Telford, TG405.C2
(1989, 1 copy)
Cable supported bridges: concept and design (2nd Ed, 1997), N.J. Gimsing, John Wiley
Cable structures, H.M. Irvine, MIT Press, 1981, TA660.C3.T7
The technology of suspended cable net structures, F. Chaplin, G. Calderbank & J. Howes, Construction Press 1984, 624.1774C (2 copies)
Soft shells: design of technology of tensile architecture, H-J Schock, Birkhauser, 1997, 721.042S (2 copies)
Cable stayed bridges: theory and design, M.S. Troitsky, BSP Professional, TG405.T7 (2 copies)
Tensile Structures Vols 1 & 2, F. Otto (Ed), MIT Press 1973, TA663.T3
Light structures, structures of light: the art and engineering of tensile architecture of tensile architecture, H. Berger, Birkhauser 1996, 721.042B
Tensile architecture in the urban context, R. Scheuermann & K. Boxer, Butterworth-Heinemann 1996, NA4160.S2.1 (3 copies).
Masted structures in architecture, J.B. Harris & K. Li, Butterworth1996 TA660.M2.H2
The analysis of cable and catenary Structures, P. Broughton & P. Ndumbaro, Thomas Telford 1994, TH2417.T3
Tensile structures, M. Toy, Academy Editions, TH2417.T3
Soft canopies, M. Vandenberg, Academy Editions, 721.5V
Cable net structure, M. Vandenberg, Academy Editions, 624.1774
Cable stayed bridges, R. Walther, B Houriet, W. Isler & P Moia, T. Telford, TG405.C2
(1989, 1 copy)
Cable supported bridges: concept and design (2nd Ed, 1997), N.J. Gimsing, John Wiley
Cable structures, H.M. Irvine, MIT Press, 1981, TA660.C3.T7
The technology of suspended cable net structures, F. Chaplin, G. Calderbank & J. Howes, Construction Press 1984, 624.1774C (2 copies)
Soft shells: design of technology of tensile architecture, H-J Schock, Birkhauser, 1997, 721.042S (2 copies)
Cable stayed bridges: theory and design, M.S. Troitsky, BSP Professional, TG405.T7 (2 copies)
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