Structural properties of tensioning air beam system (TABS)

Abstract

Light weight structures have much structural merits than ordinary building element in roof structure. Tensioning Air Beam System (TABS) which consists of air beam and cable strut is a light weight structure system and hybrid system. Several researches which concerned to tensioning pneumatic structure reported in recent year, especially Tensairity is representative of tensioning pneumatic structure. In Tensairity, compression and tension are physically separated. Low pressure compressed air is used for pre-tensioning the tension element and for stabilizing the compression element against buckling. Previous researches of Tensairity show structural ability of a typical air pressure beam. Therefore, there is necessary to make an interrelation between air pressure and structural abilities of tensioning air beam qualitatively. In this study, a number of specimens were tested with different air pressure condition.