Airborne structures and structures

Airborne structures are structures that are not inferior in many technical parameters to capital structures. At the same time, such products have high mobility, ease of installation. Let us find out how air-bearing structures and structures are installed, from which elements do they consist?

What are air bearing structures?

Such structures predominantly have the form of a dome, which consists of an airtight membrane. The shape of the structure is maintained due to the formation of excessive pressure in the internal space by means of a special heat fan unit. Thus, a load-bearing force is created, which acts as a kind of support for the whole dome and gives it stability.

Inflatable air-bearing structures have an air layer, which also pushes the flow of warm air. As a result, excellent thermal insulation properties of the structure are ensured.

The outer shell of the dome is fixed at the base of the structure with the help of anchor fasteners. Thanks to the use of this type of fasteners, it is possible to mount air-retaining structures on asphalt pavement, roofs of houses.

Applications

At present air-bearing structures are successfully used when it is necessary to organize indoor sports grounds. Indispensable for such temporary structures and when holding exhibitions, when preparing trading platforms.

Air-bearing structures are often used as inflatable shelters for swimming pools, tennis courts.

Design features

Air bearing structures, photos of which are presented in this material, consist of the following elements:

• dome;
• Access system;
• Anchor circuit;
• Ventilation plants;
• Lightning equipment.

Design

The construction of air-bearing structures requires preliminary design of the project. At this stage, computer graphic modeling of the future dome is realized. As a result, designers are able to conduct a number of simulations of the behavior of the structure under seismic loads, gusts of various strengths, exposure to snow and rain. At the design stage, the optimum temperature regime in the internal cavity of the dome is also determined based on the climatic conditions in which the structure will be operated.

When selecting the fasteners to fix the structure in a static position, the features of the ground are taken into account. Based on the results of engineering calculations and graphical modeling, the optimal components are selected for the assembly of a reliable air-bearing structure.

In addition to calculating the outer shell of the dome, the development of the project also includes the selection of suitable heating and ventilation equipment, systems for providing the design with electricity, lighting.

External coating material

Air bearing structures contain a shell in the form of a single polyvinylchloride web, which has reinforcing inserts. The material is impregnated with a substance that protects it from fire. The reinforcing stack threads are interwoven here in a special way, which excludes the breaking of the stressed sections of the dome both under the influence of excessive internal pressure and strong sharp gusts of wind.

PVC-fabric, of which air-proof structures consist, are treated with unique chemical compounds that protect the dome of the structure from the effects of ultraviolet solar radiation, microorganisms, excessive moisture, drying. The material used is resistant to the formation of a layer of contaminants and is easily cleaned with ordinary water.

Mountings

Overpressure is created under the dome of the structure. Therefore, inflatable airborne sports facilities tend to come off the ground. To prevent this from happening, the design is fixed around the perimeter by an anchor system . Among other things, fixing the structure with such fasteners helps to keep heat inside the dome.

Fixation of the structure of the air-supporting structure can take place in the following ways:

1. Anchor metal screws, connected with a PVC sheath, are screwed into the ground base at intervals of 0.5-1 m.
2. As an alternative to anchors, water tanks or concrete blocks are used that perform similar functions at their own weight.

Pumping unit

The element is used to supply air under the dome structure. The supercharger not only maintains a consistently high level of pressure. Special burners are used here, which heat the air, providing comfortable conditions inside the structure.

Pressure installations that are used to maintain airborne structures have the functions of changing the pressure level and the temperature of the space. Such units can be located both outside the structure and in a specially designed for this purpose technical room under the dome.

Access system

Presented in the form of sluice holes in the material of the covering of the air bearing structure, which play the role of entrances and exits. The latter provide free access to the people inside the structure and at the same time prevent the loss of pumping pressure, the outflow of warm air. Such temporary structures are often equipped with large-size technical locks, which allow the import of oversized equipment under the dome.

Lighting

As the lighting equipment, high-power halogen floodlights are most often used here, which are mounted around the perimeter of the dome. The lighting system is supplemented with a system of electric cables. Change of functions of searchlights is from the control panel.

Repair of airborne structures

In the breakdown of the outer covering of air-bearing structures for the purpose of its restoration, we use linens made of a similar material. To fix such patches on damaged areas, adhesive solutions are applied on a polyurethane basis. Damages that have an area of more than 1 m are sealed by overlapping lap material at least 10 cm along each edge.

In preparation for the restoration of the coating, patches made of polyvinylchloride are cleaned of impurities, treated with degreasing agents - ethyl acetate or acetone. Then the canvas, which is used to seal the damaged sections of the dome, is glued several times with glue with interruptions, approximately, in 20 minutes.

At the end, the patches are superimposed on the previously cleaned areas of the structure's covering and are tightly packed. The surface is heated up to 70-80 ^о С, after which its grinding occurs with the help of a piece of fluoroplastic or polished wooden block.

Benefits

Airborne sports facilities and general-purpose structures are distinguished by the following advantages:

1. Mobility - the installation of temporary structures of the character presented can be performed on virtually any level ground. If necessary, the materials are collected and transferred to a new location within a few days. Thus, air bearing structures and structures, examples of which can be seen in this material, are easily transported based on the needs of the business.
2. Compactness - the dimensions of such temporary structures in the folded state are no more than 0.5% of the dimensions of the structure in the established position.
3. Long service life - the durability of the structures of this plan, with a careful approach to operation, is equal to several decades.
4. Ease of maintenance - for the operation of the air-bearing structure there are quite a few specialists who, if necessary, repair the dome, monitor the maintenance of the optimum temperature and pressure in the middle of the structure.
5. Simplicity of obtaining permissive documentation - the type of constructions under consideration belongs to the category of temporary buildings. Therefore, their installation does not require the passage of complex examinations, as well as the formulation of a whole package of securities for construction. All this significantly simplifies the procedure for obtaining permission to install the structure when contacting the relevant state organizations.

Eventually

As can be seen, air-supporting structures are an extremely convenient solution when it is necessary to organize large-scale mass events. Their installation is much cheaper compared to the preparation of frame or capital structures. Insignificant weight, resistance to atmospheric influences, creation of comfortable conditions for users, safety of operation is only a small list of factors that contribute to the growth of demand for such structures.