Design of tension structures and shells using the Airy stress function

• Discontinuities in the Airy stress function for in-plane stress analysis represent forces and moments in connected one-dimensional elements. We expand this representation to curved membrane-action structures, such as shells and cable nets, and graphically visualise the internal stresses and section forces at the boundary necessary for equilibrium. The approach enhances understanding of the interplay between form and forces and can support design decisions related to form-finding and force efficiency. As illustrative examples, the prestressing needed for three existing cable nets is determined, and its influence on the edge-beam bending moment is explored.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Teknisk mekanik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Applied Mechanics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

shells

Airy stress function

cable nets

Félix Candela

London Velodrome

paraboloid

form-finding

Scandinavium

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)