Objective
As we move towards the 21st century, the use in modern architecture of lightweight tension structures, in the form of tension cable nets and textile membranes, is increasing. These lightweight roofing forms allow designers to create dramatic structures which are also efficient as light-weight load carrying systems and which capture the aesthetic imagination of the public. Industrial Need: 1. The most complex and critical factor in the design of lightweight tension membranes is their shape definition. Conventional structural analysis cannot be used for this purpose. Computational methods require iterative, numerical procedures which loads substantial costs onto the whole design process. A need exists, therefore to reduce these costs significantly to allow lightweight tension membrane structures to compete more effectively with traditional roofing forms. Further, the design process needs to address the issue of durability of tension membranes through improved quality of the end product. Proposal to meet industrial need: This project proposes the development of a computational design method for lightweight tension structures which minimises the cost of analysis, produces optimal shapes of membranes and thus allows for the production of stronger and more durable structural forms. It is proposed to achieve the shape optimisation through the introduction of the concept of minimum energy into the design process.The ultimate benefit of this project to the design and construction industries will be the increased competitiveness of these products in the European and World markets, based on quality and price. ECONOMIC benefits: 1. A reduction in the cost of design of lightweight tension membrane structures. 2. A more competitive product will allow for a wider choice of structures available; to include, apart from permanent structures, temporary deployable structures and pneumatic membranes with an increased range of uses. SOCIAL benefits: 1. An ability, on the part of planners and designers, to re-define urban, semi-urban and rural spaces in terms of their social uses. This includes the use of lightweight tension membranes to provide temporary theatres, community meeting areas, temporary shading for school playgrounds to protect children from damaging UV light and recreation areas, including structures for sporting events. 2. Lightweight tension structures, which, as proposed in this project, use naturally inspired shape designs are more aesthetically acceptable to the public. They cost less to the public purse because they will less material and require less energy in their construction and maintenance than conventional structures used for similar purposes. TECHNICAL objectives: 1. To develop the most efficient and numerically stable computational methods for the design of lightweight tension membranes. 2. To validate the effect of these developments by the use of small scale and full scale prototypes using a range of materials. 3. To stimulate further research into material properties of the structural fabrics 4. To monitor the structures, 'in situ' using specifically designed instrumentation/sensor technology installed on the prototypes. INNOVATION within proposal 1. The development of computational analysis methods specifically for the improvement of design of MINIMUM ENERGY forms of tension membranes (known as minimum surface membranes) with the main challenge resting in the patterning process i.e. translating 3D forms into 2D cutting patterns. The term minimum energy form describes structures with constant pre-tension in every direction and, in consequence, minimum surface area. Such structures can be found in naturally occurring objects such as soap films. 2. To go beyond the existing design methods and concentrate on simplified and efficient computational procedures but also on the quality and durability of tension structures through improved design and manufacture.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering textiles
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science
- humanities arts performing arts dramaturgy
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
70771 Stuttgart
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.