P N E U M AT I C S T R U C T U R E S

TECHNOLOGY FUTURES || VIGNESH SRINIVASAN || M A ARCHITECTURE

CONTENT

INTRODUCTION

ANALYSIS

FORM FINDING

PNEUMATIC MATERIALS

FUTURE PERSPECTIVE
PNEUMATICS IN FACADE SYSTEM

CONCLUSION

REFERENCE

OASIS Nr. 7 1972

Haus Rucker
INTRODUCTION

PRESSURISED CONSTRUCTION

PNEUMATIC CONSTRUCTION
TERMS USED

Blow-ups

Inflatables

Airdomes

Airhouses

PNEUMATICS

Control + stabilisation of any

structure by means of pressure
differentials, achieved by the
uniform loading actions of air/
gases/ liquid/ granular solids

PNEUMATIC ARCHITECTURE

Field of study focusing on human

Mobile M+: Inflation exhibition, Hong Kong
scale inflated architectural forms
unconventional American artist Paul McCarthys
Poetic Cosmos of the Breath
PRESSURISED CONSTRUCTION

PNEUMATIC CONSTRUCTION

AIR CONTROLLED CONSTRUCTION AIR STABILISED

CONSTRUCTION

Ant farm exposition of Inflatocoocbook at MUMOK, Vienna 2008

PNEUMA

Breath of air (Greek)

ANALYSIS
TENSILE-STRESS
PNEUMATIC STRUCTURE Light Collapsible Strong membrane
need

FREI OTTOS
EXPERIMENT Soap bubble Others (slightly deformable)
elasticity
Minimal surfaces Rubber skins
Heavy fabrics
Weight of bubble Wire
depends on its Nets
surface area Metal sheets
plastics
BUBBLE AGGLOMERATION
Soap bubbles of different sizes having
equal thick walls will decent at same
speed in still air
120 degree

Curvature
in diaphragm

Internal pressure of small bubble is

higher than large bubble

Inclination of common axis increases with

the difference in bubble size

Influence of membrane weight ~ 1 / (admissible surface tension : bulk density)

COMBINATION
3 equal bubbles 3 bubbles 6 bubbles 5 bubbles
hemisphere hemisphere Arranged
around a
central
bubble

3 bubbles +
1 on top

Either Arranged 6+1 bubble placed

centrally eccentrically

4 equal bubbles 3 bubbles +

3 internal
bubble

2 internal Arranged 8 bubbles may be

bubbles at in row asymmetrical or
points of
contact of 4
Common point of bubbles
contact

6 bubbles surround 1
hexagonal central
bubble

8 bubble arranged
Additional internal symmetrically
Bubbles in their bubble may form at
numerous connotations centre

lightness
transparency
flexibility
Not more the 3 skins can be in contact
scale
along one line, they will form 120 degree
shape with each other
size
Innovative materials + new knowledge
>> intensive formal + structural experimenting

Pneumatically stretched dome

A sphere of variable
diameter can be moved
along an axis, the
enveloping surface can
be formed pneumatically

The spheres can move along

any curve provided the
radius of the curvature of
the latter is not too small
in relation to the diameter
of the sphere

Self weight of the

structure material
For equal internal
is one of the DESIGN pressure the membrane
LOAD stress depends upon
the diameter

Spheres directly in contact

require no connecting ways,
however, the insertion of
pneumatic cylinders will of use
for distancing the spheres
 Large Air bags stitched
together

Efficiency of inflated
elements can be
improved by more
Diagonal bracing
complex means of inter
connection

Row of adjacent tubes

forming inflated
tubular structure

Limitation

Budget constrain
Insufficient technology / obstacle

Scope for improvement

Cost effectiveness
Durability
Experimental construction technique

usefulness of techniques, materials in relation to membrane & pneumatic

constructions ?

Result: airy constructions for shaping enclosures

AIR CONTROLLED CONSTRUCTION

Position / movement controlled by Wind

air pressure differential

not generally associated with

architecture

APPLICATIONS

Pneumatic drills
air braking systems
ground effect machines
hovercraft + hover pads

Resist various
climatic condition

AIR STABILISED CONSTRUCTION

A thin flexible membrane supported

by pressure differentials,
stabilised by air / gas

adopted for building construction

Flexibility

Pressure difference induce tensile

stress into membrane, supports
against gravitational wind loads

Pure tensile structure = membrane

material + structural efficiency
Possible point of
rupture
Pure tensile structure = membrane material + structural efficiency
PRESSURISED CONSTRUCTION

PNEUMATIC CONSTRUCTION

AIR CONTROLLED CONSTRUCTION AIR STABILISED

CONSTRUCTION

AIR INFLATED STRUCTURE

RIB STRUCTURE DUAL WALLED

STRUCTURE

pneumatic and tensile structures were once

emerged from soap bubble experiments,

Frei Otto's inspiration

Bubble conglomeration
AIR INFLATED STRUCTURE

Air is contained within a membrane to

form inflated structured elements

Pi internal pressure acting on membrane

Pi
Pi

Structural capabilities depend on

Volume of air contained with the element by membrane

Excess pressure differential exerted on membrane
Membrane material
Structural form of the element
Porosity of material
Air temperature (expansion/ contraction)

Elasticity of membrane ~ rigidity of structural element

Need periodic air replenishment

INFLATED RIB STRUCTURE

Framework of pressurised tubes

Supports weatherproof membrane in tension

Suitable for small span construction

Inflated structure in small units Ribbed inflated form

framed or held in shape externally
Similar to bubble conglomeration

INFLATED DUAL WALLED STRUCTURE Pi internal pressure acting on membrane

T membrane stress
Air is contained between 2 membrane walls
Held by drop threads + diaphragm configuration

Greater spanning potential

Pi
Inflation depends on time factor
PRESSURISED CONSTRUCTION

PNEUMATIC CONSTRUCTION

AIR CONTROLLED CONSTRUCTION AIR STABILISED

CONSTRUCTION

AIR INFLATED STRUCTURE AIR SUPPORTED

STRUCTURE

RIB STRUCTURE DUAL WALLED

STRUCTURE

HYBRID STRUCTURE

OTHER STRUCTURAL FORMS PARTIAL TOTAL

PNEUMATIC PNEUMATIC
HYBRIDS HYBRIDS
AIR SUPPORTED STRUCTURE

Possibilities for new structural form

Consists of a single structural

membrane
Internal building volume pressure >
Supported by air pressure differential atmospheric pressure

Firmly anchored to the ground to

resist air uplift forces

LIMITATION

Uninterrupted air
replenishment to maintain
pressure differential

NECESSITY
Minimise air leakage
Means of anchorage
Constant air supply

> means greater

PARAMETERS

Volume of air contained

with the element by
membrane
Elasticity of membrane ~ rigidity of
Excess pressure structural element
differential exerted on
membrane

Membrane material

HYBRID STRUCTURE

Evolved to overcome the limitation of

air supported structure and air
inflated construction

Integrates both the structural system

to one

Based on Tension construction / frame

construction

Integrated to increase spanning

potential + rigidity of air inflated
construction

~ means directly proportional

FORM-FINDING
form of a pneumatic structure can
always be derived from a specific
formula:

p = nk / rk + ns / rs

p is the internal pressure appearing

on the inside of the construction

nk and ns define the membrane stress

rk and rs define the radius of the

curves

Based on the results of this formula,

classification of 3 different types of
constructions can be drafted.
FLYING SOAP BUBBLE

In a weightless state the free bubble

assumes an exactly spherical shape.
The membrane stress No at any point and
in any surface direction:

No = pr/2 P, internal pressure

r, radius
AIR-SUPPORTED HALLS

synclastic curvature (curved towards

same side in all direction)
circumferentially fixed to a
foundation

external loads like forces of nature

and weight of the skin itself, are
supported by the air residing inside
the hall

Internal loads pointing outwards are

carried by the membrane and have a
tension increasing effect

TENION DIAGRAM
AIR BEAMS

cushions in the form of a tube or

sphere

These can be used for either

compression struts or beams, as
compression of bending leads to a
reduction of the implemented volume

inner pressure ^ pressure ^ bending

resistance

TENION DIAGRAM

^ means increase
CUSHION STRUCTURES

pneumatic structure is in two layers:

attached to an internal structure

coupling high lateral forces of the
border in the cushion

OR

implement them as a cover on a primary

structure and allowing them to guide
horizontal forces into the main
structure

Compression load is carried by an

increase in pressure on the other side
of the cushion

TENION DIAGRAM
STRUCTURAL MEMBRANE || DESIGN CRITERIA

Strength

tensile strength
Tear resistance
Modulus of elasticity
strength to weight ratio

Air permeability

Weather resistance properties

precipitation
wind
ultra violet rays
resistance to abrasion
retention of physical properties with ageing
atmospheric pollution

Chemical resistance

Insulation properties

transmission of heat, sound and light

Flexibility

Incombustibility

Joinery strength
MEMBRANE IS DEFINED BY NO ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

material property
chemical composition SINGLE MEMBRANE STRUCTURE
elasticity
density
geometry
type of weaving NEGATIVE PRESSURE -

POSITIVE PRESSURE
+

LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM

DOUBLE MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

NEGATIVE PRESSURE -

MEMBRANE CHARACTERISTICS such as

durability
heat
light-filtering properties
POSITIVE PRESSURE
are determined by the careful choice
of surface finishes and inner lining
+
compressed air pretensions the ADDITIONAL POINT SUPPORT
membrane due to membrane cutting
pattern
SINGLE MEMBRANE STRUCTURE
volume of structure is formed

NEGATIVE PRESSURE -

POSITIVE PRESSURE
+

LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM

DOUBLE MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

NEGATIVE PRESSURE -

Pre-stressed membrane can support both

tension and compression, withstands
bending moment

POSITIVE PRESSURE

+
ADVANTAGES ADDITIONAL LINEAR SUPPORT

small size and manipulation

minimal weight
SINGLE MEMBRANE STRUCTURE
deflation property
transport
portability
NEGATIVE PRESSURE -

POSITIVE PRESSURE
+

LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM

DOUBLE MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

NEGATIVE PRESSURE -
LIMITATION

prompt repair is necessary

incase of leaks or cracks

constant high pressure is

required to keep elements in
shape POSITIVE PRESSURE

higher energy costs

+
another innovation >> T E N S A I R I T Y ADDITIONAL POINT
light weight internal cable strut + LINEAR SUPPORT
structure
SINGLE MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

NEGATIVE PRESSURE -

POSITIVE PRESSURE
+

LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM

DOUBLE MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

NEGATIVE PRESSURE -

But due to lightness, AIR-SUPPORTED

STRUCTURE is among the most efficient
structural forms, combining high
tensile strength materials + shell
form
POSITIVE PRESSURE

+
PNEUMATIC MATERIALS
Depends on function or need

ISOTROPIC
same strength + stretch in all directions

Plastic films
PVC, Poly ethylene, polyester, polyamide

Fabrics
glass fibers or synthetic fibers coated in a
PVC, polyester or polyurethene film

Rubber membrane
lightest + most flexible

Metal foils
high gas diffusion resistance + high tensile
strength. Needs very exact cutting patterns
PNEUMATIC MATERIALS
Depends on function or need

ANISOTROPIC MATERIALS
same strength + stretch ability in oriented
directions.

Woven fabrics
2 main direction of weave

Organic fibers
wool, cotton or silk

Synthetic fibers
polyamide, polyester and polyvinyl

Gridded fabric
coarse-weave made of organic mineral or synthetic
fibers or metallic networks.

used where maximum light transmission and high

strength is required

Synthetic rubber
Combination of plastic and rubber
latest and are more resistant to elongation

Plastics
like woven fabrics
more of tensile strength than normally manufactured
plastic sheets
SEWN FABRIC MEMBRANE

3 methods of joinery

high frequency welding / heat sealing

cementing Triple sewn seam
sewing

strength of sewn seam = 75% strength of welded/ cemented seam

depends on type of material

Double sewn seam

Double folded seams

maximum efficiency
sheer load uniformly distributes across joint

Type of thread

dacrom / terylene
resistant to UV rays

Preference of stitching

sewn joint > welded joint > cemented joint

stitching is sealed by vinyl coating
FACTORS FOR CHOOSING TYPE OF STITCHING

expense
protection against weather
uniform high strength bonding
free of wrinkles, voids / air pockets

MAJOR POINTS OF AIR LEAKAGE

Door openings
Perimeter at the structure's junctions with the ground
Ventilation

PORTABILITY CRITERIA

package volume per square meter of floor area

durability under continuous utilization
weight per square meter of floor area
ease of erection
erection time
DROP STITCH MATERIAL

Air inflated Drop Stitch fabric

material is made for structural
application requiring flat (planar)
shapes

consists light-weight impermeable Section along X axis

membrane that can create inflatable
structures and components with very
high stiffness that have properties
of common, but bulky, structural
materials.

Section along Y axis

Woven fabric

Drop stitch

Laminated skin

Technology

fast to inflate and deflate

only way to make inflatable surface absolutely flat
and create a walking surface
MEDIA TIC BUILDING, Barcelona Cloud 9

The 'performative' element is,

eco-efficient material ethylene
tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) cladding

The system is activated by temperature

sensors

The 'diaphragm' configuration of

ETFE cladding, protects from solar
radiation / heat, whereby 3 layers
of the plastic are fixed within the
triangular frame and inflated like
a pillow.

The resulting bubble contains up to

3 air chambers that together create
a shade-effect and provide thermal
insulation for the building.

ALIVE SKIN

TECHNOLOGY

ETFE is used as Lenticular

solution where two layers of the
plastic are inflated and filled
with nitrogen >> solar filter

PNEUMATICS IN FACADE SYSTEM

EDEN BIOME PROJECT, UK Grimshaw Architects

A large number of floating bubbles

of equal volumes grouped together,
they assume a hexagonal shape From Frei Ottos
experiment
The pneumatic system thus encloses a
maximum space with a minimum
membrane surface From Buckminster
fuller geodesic dome
Why structure works

ETFE
ETHYL TETRA FLUORO ETHYLENE

One of the most lightweight

transparent cladding materials
low coefficient of friction of its surface
Dust free / self cleaning
UV transparent
Will not discolor
Will not structurally weaken over time
Recyclable

Architecture inspired by nature

Context-specific design
sustainable
least weight and maximum surface
area on the curve with strength
THE BREATHING SKIN, Germany Research from Stuttgart university

a faade system that

controls home temperature

BUNDESPREIS ECODESIGN 2016

ONGOING NOMINATION

2015, the first accessible prototype

building covered by a Breathing Skin
has been built.

AIM

To discover the functional and atmospheric

potentials of a responsive architecture,
that adapts to internal and external
influences and requirements.
TECHNOLOGY

The Breathing Skin technology is

inspired by organic skins that adjust
their permeability to control the flow
of substances between inside and
outside, similar to plasma cell
membrane in nature Movement similar to an Aperture

Flexibility
Transparency
Heat and light permeability

Plastic thin sheet

"Pneumatic muscles" regulate the

amount of incident light, views, and
air passing the Breathing Skin.
PROTOTYPE

The Breathing Skins Technology can be

experienced and tested under realistic
conditions. On every square meter, 140
pneumatic muscles are controlled
without any visible technical
installations.

Around 2800 of these are integrated

into the facade, amounting a length of
over ten meters and an area of 25sqm.
THE BUBBLE BUILDING, Shanghai Area 8850.0 sqm
Project Year 2013 proposal
Architects 3GATTI Architecture Studio
"renovation of a common,
old and unattractive building"

Unlike a conventional retrofit or

renovation, proposed inflatables are
made of white antibacterial technical
outdoor nylon, in front of the windows
on the existing building.

AIM

To "create an icon-building, a kind of

landmark very easy to recognize, a kind of
sculpture with a strong character able to
detach itself from the boring cityscape" with
the ultimate aim to attract customers to rent
both the office and commercial spaces.
 a "micro greenhouse," constantly
exchanges air pressure with the office
interior, providing an optimum internal
climate

a non-static faade that oscillates with

the wind and will interact with its
inhabitants: the inflatables will be in
full tensile capacity when many people
are working and the ventilation is at its
maximum

Blowup bubble portion

The inflatable exterior also has

environmental aspect, the air space
between the fabric and the window
acting as "efficient insulation to keep
a desirable interior temperature" and
"oxygenated due to the green barrier
between the glass and the fabric" Air circulation
Faade deflates automatically when the
ventilation is minimum or no one in
room

The "building can perform as a large scale

interactive sculpture itself" with both day
and night strategies to help it engage with
the surrounding city.
CONCLUSION

Pneumatic structures are no longer seen as just

of exhibitionist nature nor limited for temporary
functions. Study of pneumatics has evolved to
more possible research oriented subjects and not
remain as utopian.

Their principle and technique are

compatible with newly emerging trends in
architecture. From being a mere aesthetic / art
installation, pneumatic structures are developed
to be part of some

research areas
blobitecture
kinetic architecture
knitflatable architecture
nasa and so on

urban solutions based on

portability for social events / reasons

adaptability

symbol

sustainability and being meaningful in

responsive architecture for the future.
REFERENCE
Books / WebPages / Article

Principles of Pneumatic Architecture, Roger

N Dent

Tensile Structures volume 1 Pneumatic

Structure, Frei Otto

Technology & Mechanics Overview of

Air-Inflated Fabric Structures, Paul V.
Cavallaro

http://www.breathingskins.com/

https://www.betterworldsolutions.eu/facade-
system-allows-building-breathe-pleasant-
indoor-climate/

https://futurism.com/videos/the-breathing-
wall-that-controls-your-homes-temperature/

https://sites.google.com/site/pneumaticstruc
turalsystemae390/pneumatic-
structure/technology

http://www.archdaily.com/789230/let-your-
building-to-breathe-with-this-pneumatic-
facade-technology

http://www.archdaily.com/437560/bubble-
building-3gatti-architecture-studio

http://www.archdaily.com/71858/plastique-
fantastique-installations

http://www.birdair.com/tensile-
architecture/membrane/etfe

http://www.ruiz-
geli.com/projects/built/media-tic
P N E U M AT I C S T R U C T U R E S

TECHNOLOGY FUTURES || VIGNESH SRINIVASAN || M A ARCHITECTURE

SEMESTER 1