Construction load-bearing behaviour

From a creative, engineering point of view, the feasible forms and maximum spans of ETFE-foil constructions are decisive factors which will determine the further success of this construction method. ETFE-foils possess positive load-bearing behaviour which is characterised by material and geometrical nonlinearities. The ground plan shapes, realisable to almost any desire, offer the architect a multitude of design possibilities. Spans of ETFE-foil constructions can be enlarged through support measures like... 

Abstract This chapter first introduces the construction forms and variants of ETFE-foil structures and offers an overview of the development of ETFE-foil constructions within the field of architecture. Subsequently, the morphological structure of ETFE and the manufacturing process as well as the material behaviour and load-bearing characteristics of ETFE-foils are outlined. The final section discusses future development potentiahties and future applicability of ETFE-foil construction methods in structural engineering. 

The tests of the specimens under compressive load proved a considerable increase of bearing capacity due to fibres. The descending branch of the load-deformation curve is long and its shape is strongly related to the kind of fibres used. In the case of elastic fibres a quasi-linear behaviour is observed, but for ordinary polymeric fibres the elastic quasi-plastic behaviour should be expected. Thanks to the artificial cohesion, the reinforced sand is used for construction of walls and slopes with steep gradients between 60° and 90° also in various geotechnical works (Aldea 2007). 

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