Pneumatic Structures

PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
SAEED ANISA AZHARUNNISA SEMESTER - VII
PNEUMATIC STRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY
• The word pneumatic is derived from the Greek word pneuma meaning breath of air
thus these are the structure which are supported by air.
• These structures have been used by mankind for many years but in the building
technology it was introduced only about 40 years ago.
Pneumatic Structure

HISTORY:
• The concept of pneumatic

structures was developed during
the development of hot air
balloons.
• A Brazilian priest Bartolomeu de

Gusmão, in Lisbon, conducted
the first experiment in 1709.
• In 1783, the Montgolfier

brothers built an 11m diameter
hot air balloon, made by linen
and paper.
• In the same year, Jaques A. C.

Charles built the first hydrogen
balloon whose apogee were the
zepellins

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.

TYPES OF
PNEUMATIC
STRUCTURE
Air – supported Air – inflated

structures structure

TYPES OF PNEUMATIC STRUCTURE
Air – supported structures Air – inflated structure
It consist of a single membrane supported It is supported by pressurized air
by a small internal pressure difference. contained within inflated building
The internal volume of a building air is element. The internal volume of building
consequently at a pressure higher than air remains at atmospheric pressure.
atmospheric pressure.

SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The system components of a pneumatic structure are the envelope, pumping
equipment, entrance doors, and foundation.
Envelope
• It is a single or double layer

membrane and is made of industrial
fabrics, such as fibreglass or polyester for
a great stability.
• The shape of the envelope is a very
important aspect in pneumatic
structures.
• If a pneumatic structure is not evenly
pressurized, then the membrane creates
wrinkles and stress points which will lead
it to fail.

Pumping Equipment
The pumping equipment for an air-inflated

structure can be fans, blowers or compressors.
• First of all, the internal volume of the
envelope is supplied with atmospheric
pressure through the pumping equipment.
• Secondly, the pumping equipment is used
in many cases to replace any air leakage in
order to maintain a stabilized pressurized
environment
Entrance Doors
• Access to the interior of the pneumatic

structure is achieved through
doors or airlocks.
• The most common and efficient entrance
doors are the airlocks because they do not
allow any air to escape from the structure
minimizing the chances of having an
unevenly pressurized environment.

Foundation
• The structures are secured on the

ground using heavy weights
ground anchors or attached to a
foundation.
• The weight of the material and
the wind loads are used to
determine the most appropriate
anchoring system.
• For a small independent
structure, a ballast anchorage,
blocks of concrete, or bricks can
be placed around the perimeter
on the seal skirt in order to
stabilize the structure.
For a bigger and wider pneumatic structure, reinforcing cables or nets are
required to anchor and stabilize it.

GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS
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 100mts, the weight of the structure does not exceed
3kg/square meter.
SPAN
• The advantage of this over other structures is that, 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.
• There are warning signals while the

release of return valve. Safety factor+
warning time is quiet long as compared
to other structures.
• Pneumatic structures can’t be

destroyed by fire quickly and totally.

THEFT
It is very safe no body can or pass through it. If an air bag is cut with a knife/ pin, a
bang is produced.
QUICK ERECTION AND DISMANTLING
Suitable for temporary constructions because they are as easy to dismantle as to

establish.
One sq. km. Of an area can be brought down in 6 hours and can be established in
less than 10 hours. The 4 hours difference is due to establishment of pegs etc.

ECONOMY
• It is not expensive where it is used for shifting structures. For permanent

structures, it is very expensive. Otherwise the cost per square foot of air
supported structures is among the lowest for large span roofs.
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%).

MATERIAL USED
ISOTROPIC MATERIAL :
These show the same strength and stretch in all

directions.
• Plastic films:- These are primarily

produced from PVC, Poly ethylene,
Polyester, polyamide etc.
• Fabrics:- These may be made of glass
fiber or synthetic fiber 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.
Woven fabrics: - They have two main
direction of weave. They can be made of:-
• Organic fibres - wool, cotton or silk.

• Mineral fibres - glass fibres
• Metal fibres - thin steel wires
• Synthetic fibres - polyamide, polyester
and polyvinyl.
Gridded fabric
These are coarse-weave made of organic mineral or synthetic fibres 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.

ADVANTAGES:
• Simple structure, easy installation and

maintenance.
• Lightweight.
• Medium is air.
• Covers large spans.
• Portability.
• Unobstructed open interior space.
• No need for columns.
DISADVANTAGES:
• Need continuous operation of fans to

maintain pressure.
• Dome collapses when pressure lost.
• Cannot reach the insulation values of hard-
walled structures.
• Limited load-carrying capacity.
• Conventional buildings have longer lifespan.

ALLIANZ ARENA
HERZOG & DE MEURON, JACQUES HERZOG, PIERRE
DE MEURON (2002-2005 MUNICH, GERMANY)

USES:
Sports and recreation
• This type of structure is suitable for such building
type because of its ability to span great distances
without the need for beams or columns. It is
often a cheaper alternative to steel supported
roofs.
• Disadvantages of using a roofing system of this
type include the fact that the structure must be
constantly maintained and inspected because left
untreated, the membranes can puncture and the
cost of repair can be very high.
American Football or Baseball grounds

Military Structures
Pneumatic structures are commonplace in the
Military. They often take the shape of a semi-
circular tube and can be connected together. The
most common uses for these structures are for
storage or for emergency medical operations. The
benefits of using pneumatic structures in this way
are that they take next to no time to construct,
can be erected by one person easily.
Other Uses


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PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES

SAEED ANISA AZHARUNNISA SEMESTER - VII

• The concept of pneumatic

• A Brazilian priest Bartolomeu de

• In 1783, the Montgolfier

• In the same year, Jaques A. C.

SAEED ANISA AZHARUNNISA SEMESTER - VII

• Its principle is the use of relatively

• Through increasing the inside air

SAEED ANISA AZHARUNNISA SEMESTER - VII

Air – supported Air – inflated

SAEED ANISA AZHARUNNISA SEMESTER - VII

SAEED ANISA AZHARUNNISA SEMESTER - VII

• It is a single or double layer

SAEED ANISA AZHARUNNISA SEMESTER - VII

The pumping equipment for an air-inflated

• Access to the interior of the pneumatic

SAEED ANISA AZHARUNNISA SEMESTER - VII

• The structures are secured on the

SAEED ANISA AZHARUNNISA SEMESTER - VII

• The weight of the structure as compared to the

• The weight of the membrane roof even when it

SAEED ANISA AZHARUNNISA SEMESTER - VII