Membrane structures and their use in civil engineering

Abstract

This paper is focused on the static analysis of membrane structures, which are typical for their ability to transfer only tensile forces. Membrane structures are becoming more popular owing to their lower initial cost and potential for use in structures with higher aesthetic claims. However, the designs of membrane face some challenges related to the specific properties of these support systems. This paper aims to analyse the current possibilities for using membrane structures and to evaluate these structures in terms of materials and design details and using numerical methods.