Analytical Study for the Visual Appearance of Tensile Membrane Structure

Elmokadem, Ashraf; Wassef, Ahmed; Elballah, Mohamed

doi:10.21608/pserj.2019.49412

Analytical Study for the Visual Appearance of Tensile Membrane Structure

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ faculty of engineering port said university

² Assistant Professor at Architecture department, College of Architecture and Design, Effat University. Assistant Professor at Architectural engineering & urban planning dept., faculty of engineering Port Said University

³ Demonstrator at Arab Academy for Science and Technology port said branch

10.21608/pserj.2019.49412

Abstract

In the past, Fri Otto designed Tensile Membrane Structures (TMS) using soap film and large physical models.
Nowadays however, complex computational methods are available and can be used to generate an optimal TMS form
that can improve the aesthetic aspect of these structures. This research paper presents a comprehensive categorization
for TMS gathering all possible present classifications. Besides, the paper discusses the factors that impact and control
the design of TMS and identifies the ones that affect the overall visual appearance and perception of TMS structures.
The paper also provides a comprehensive analysis of these identified factors to quantify their impact on the final form
of the TMS. Three case studies of TMS were analyzed to demonstrate the identified factors and their impact on the
TMS. The results revealed that the structure type and material used in TMS are the most affecting factors on the overall
image and visual perception of TMS.

Keywords