Einsatzverhalten von ETFE-Membrankissenkonstruktionen

Performance of ETFE membrane cushion constructions

Roof or façade constructions made of pneumatically supported membrane cushions show a very dynamic and complex behavior under changing environmental conditions. For proper design of these constructions, the construction material, and the details of manufacture must be understood completely. Therefore, this article addresses some special requirements for the construction material ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and their consequences for using behavior. At first, the design and manufacture relevant details of membrane cushion constructions are described. The state of the design and interpretation of these structures is summarized and problems, based on the special characteristics of this material, are noted. The property profile of the structural material is discussed in relation to the occurring load conditions, and the requirements for material tests are discussed. Investigations which are carried out at Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials and their relation to the modeling of the materials behavior are explained. Finally, a shot outlook describes the next steps to clarify the material model.