COORDINATED FORM-FINDING ANALYSIS OF TENSIONED MEMBRANE STRUCTURES OF GIVEN CABLES’ RATIO OF RISE TO SPAN

A new solving method of integrate analysis is proposed for tensioned membrane structures. First, formulas of cable’s initial pretension are derived; second, a new solving method named form-finding iteration solution method suitable for form-finding analysis of integrate structures and the program is proposed by means of a non-linear finite element form-finding theory of cable–membrane structures and a prestress-finding method of cable-strut systems. Finally, the method developed herein is validated by one example and some conclusions are made as follows: the form-finding results agree with equilibrium equations, compatibility equations and boundary conditions assigned by architects; the results agree with the ratio of rise to span; requirement of distribution for principal stress of membrane’s equilibrium state can basically reach the assumptive distribution; theoretical tensioned values for construction can be directly obtained.