IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

FINITE ELEMENT BASED STATIC AND DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF

TENSAIRITY SPINDLE STRUCTURE
Beyons Thomas1, Anumod A.S.2
1

M.Tech student, Department of Civil Engineering, ICET, Kerala, India

Asst.Professor,Department of Civil Engineering, ICET, Kerala, India

Abstract
Tensairity is the new structural concept.It contains the combination of cable,membrane,struts and low pressure compressed
air.The role of the membrane and air is to stabilize the compression element against buckling and the cable.The technology is
good suited for wide span roofs,temporary bridges,domes etc. In this paper finite element based static and dynamic analysis of
spindle shaped Tensairity beam is studied.In this paper also includes the parametric studies and determine the natural
frequencies and deflections of the beam under different loading.Also determines load-displacement response of the spindle
shaped Tensairity beam.

Key Words: Tensairity

--------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION

1.2 Spindle shaped Tensairity beam

Tensairity is the new light weight structural concept.It

contains the combination of membrane, chords and
low pressurized compressed air. The key principle of
Tensairity structure is to use low pressure air to
stabilize compression elements against buckling. It has
same
load bearing capacity of conventional steel
girders.The compressive load is taken by the upper chord
and tension load is taken by lower chord.And the
pressurized hull prevent the structure from buckling
while loading.

The first Tensairity beam is based on cylindrical shape

form.From further investigations understand that spindle
shape Tensairity beam are more stiffer than cylindrical
shape Tensairity beam with same length,diameter and
internal pressure.In spindle shape beam the helical shape
tension cables are avoided.The tension and compression
elements are curved shape and fixed together at the
ends.They are separated by pressurized hull for stabilizing
the compressioin member against buckling.

1.1 Structure and behavior of Tensairity beam

Tensairity beam consists of compression and tension
element and they are separated by the inflated hull.The
basic shape of Tensairity beam is cylinder.It use low
pressure air to stabilize compression element against
buckling.In cylindrical beam in which the tension and
compression elements are fixed together at the ends and.
The pressurized hull is used to stabilize the compression
element against bucklingThe tension element are of two in
number and which are spiraled around the hull.These
tension cables connected to the straight compression
element at the ends.

The roof of the parking garage in Montreux are based on

spindle shaped Tensairity girders.The representation of
spindle Shaped Tensairity beam is given below.

Fig -2: spindle shaped Tensairity beam

1.3 Adavantages and Applications

The main advantages of Tensairity structure includes
light weight, fast seup,low storage volume and large load
bearing capacity.This can be used for mainly temporary
structures. The main advantage is aesthetic appearance.
Any architectural shape can be constructed by using this
technique.

Fig -1: Cylindrical shaped Tensairity beam

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 04 Issue: 10 | Oct-2015, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

97

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

The main application includes the roof structures of

parking, stadium, temporary bridges,foot bridges ,domes
etc.

2. FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Finite element based static and dynamic analysis of
spindle shaped Tensairity beam is done. For the
modelling and analysis finite element software ANSYS
is used.

2.1 Model for the analysis

FE-model uses BEAM189 elements for chord and
SHELL281 elements for fabric.The air pressure is
modeled as a surface load on the SHELL .Fabric is
considered as a linear isotropic material having modulus
of elasticity E = 2.14x108N/m2.The spindle shaped
Tensairity beam
having length is 5m. and central
diameter is 0.5m.The thickness of polyamide fabric is
5mm. and the density is 620kg/m3 The tension and
compression element is made up of aluminium having in
rectangular shape with width 3mm and depth is 1mm.At
support is dimension changes to 0.35X0.15mm.The
modulus of elasticity of aluminium chord is E = 69x109
N/m2 and density is 2700kg/m3. Pressure applied internally
by 150mbar.

Fig -4: Meshed model of Tensairity beam

The dimensions of spindle shaped Tensairity beam is

represented below

Fig -5: Simply supported Tensairity beam

3. RESULTS
Fig -3: Longitudinal section dimension

We have studied the behavior of the spindle for

bending under a central load.And the behavior of the
spindle shaped Tensairity beam under different pressures.

3.1 Modal analysis with different internal pressures

Modal analysis of Tensairity beam with two different
pressures 100mbar and 200mbar are done.The first four
natural frequencies of the 100mbar pressure are 6.352Hz,
7.2509Hz ,17.561Hz and 24.252Hz.The mode shape of
the above different frequencies are given in below.

Fig -4: Cross section dimension

Tensairity beam is simply supported at the end. The
modeled spindle shaped Tensairity beam is shown in
below.

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 04 Issue: 10 | Oct-2015, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

98

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

NODAL SOLUTION

NODAL SOLUTION
STEP=1
SUB =1
FREQ=6.35269
USUM
(AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.472687
SMX =.472687

SEP 18 2015
15:02:55

STEP=1
SUB =4
FREQ=24.2519
USUM
(AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.490445
SMX =.490445

SEP 18 2015
15:06:14

MX

MX

MN

MN

.052521

.105042

.157562

.210083

.262604

.315125

.367645

.420166

.054494

.108988

.163482

.217976

.326963

.272469

.381457

.435951

.490445

.472687

Fig -9: Mode shape for 24.252Hz

Fig -6: Mode shape for 6.352Hz

1

NODAL SOLUTION
STEP=1
SUB =2
FREQ=7.25088
USUM
(AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.452365
SMX =.452365

SEP 18 2015
15:04:53

The first four natural frequencies of the 200mbar pressure

are 6.405Hz,7.314Hz,17.666Hz and 24.937Hz.The mode
shape of the above different frequencies are given in below
1

NODAL SOLUTION
STEP=1
SUB =1
FREQ=6.40586
USUM
(AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.472117
SMX =.472117

MX

SEP 18 2015
15:14:44

MX

MN

MN

.050263

.100526

.150788

.201051

.251314

.301577

.351839

.402102

.452365

Fig -7: Mode shape for 7.25Hz

.052457

.104915

.157372

.20983

.262287

.314745

.367202

.41966

.472117

Fig -10: Mode shape for 6.405Hz

NODAL SOLUTION
STEP=1
SUB =3
FREQ=17.5611
USUM
(AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.467533
SMX =.467533

SEP 18 2015
15:05:28

NODAL SOLUTION
STEP=1
SUB =2
FREQ=7.31466
USUM
(AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.451954
SMX =.451954

SEP 18 2015
15:15:06

MX
MX

MN

MN

.051948

.103896

.155844

.207792

.25974

.311688

.363636

.415585

.467533

Fig -8: Mode shape for 17.56Hz

.050217

.100434

.150651

.200869

.251086

.301303

.35152

.401737

.451954

Fig -11: Mode shape for 7.314Hz

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 04 Issue: 10 | Oct-2015, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

99

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

Table -2: Comparison of frequencies

Aluminium
Steel
Copper

NODAL SOLUTION
STEP=1
SUB =3
FREQ=17.6664
USUM
(AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.467414
SMX =.467414

SEP 18 2015
15:15:26

MX

MN

.051935

.10387

.155805

.20774

.259675

.311609

.363544

.415479

.467414

Fig -12: Mode shape for 17.66Hz

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

6.38Hz

6.23 Hz

4.66 Hz

7.30 Hz

6.91 Hz

5.27 Hz

17.61 Hz

15.83 Hz

12.79 Hz

24.67 Hz

17.22 Hz

14.51 Hz

From above these values, the tension and compression

element of aluminium having greater natural frequencies
than other two material.While desigining this should be
taken into account.

NODAL SOLUTION

3.3 Modal Analysis With Different Fabric Material

STEP=1
SUB =4
FREQ=24.9374
USUM
(AVG)
RSYS=0
DMX =.489764
SMX =.489764

SEP 18 2015
15:15:44

MX

Modal analysis of Tensairity beam with four different

fabric materials are done.The four different fabric
materials used are polyamide, PVC coated polyester,
silicon and rubber.For the anlysis Tensairity beam
contains tension and compression element aluminium rod
and 150mbar internal pressure.The first four natural
frequencies for these members are given below.

MN

Table -3: Comparison of frequencies

PVC coated
Polyamide
Silicon
Rubber
polyester
0

.054418

.108836

.163255

.217673

.272091

.326509

.380928

.435346

.489764

Fig -13: Mode shape for 24.937Hz

6.38Hz

9.44 Hz

15.61 Hz

5.40 Hz

Table -1: Comparison of frequencies

Frequency for 100mbar
Frequency for 200mbar
pressure
pressure

7.30 Hz

11.83 Hz

46.73 Hz

5.99 Hz

17.61 Hz

32.44 Hz

53.19 Hz

15.09 Hz

24.67 Hz

38.96 Hz

72.38 Hz

16.03 Hz

6.3527Hz

6.4059Hz

7.2509Hz

7.3147Hz

17.561Hz

17.666Hz

24.252Hz

24.937Hz

The variation between frequencies under two different

pressures are very small.So there is not much effect on
design of Tensairity beam.

3.2 Modal Analysis With Different Material Of

Tension And Compression Chord
Modal analysis of Tensairity beam with three different
compression and tension members are done.The three
different materials are aluminium,steel and copper.For the
anlysis polyamide fabric Tensairity beam with 150mbar
internal pressure are used.The first four natural frequencies
for these members are given below.

From above results ,Tensairity beam with silicon fabric

shows higher natural frequencies than other three.And
the rubber fabric having very low natural frequiencies.
While desigining this should be taken into account.

3.4 Modal Analysis With Different Area Of Cross

Section Of Tension And Compression Rod
Modal analysis of Tensairity beam with three different
cross section of tension and compression rod are
done.The
three
different
cross
sections
are
30X10,20X20,25X15mm.For the anlysis Tensairity beam
contains tension and compression element aluminium rod
and 150mbar internal pressure.The first four natural
frequencies for these members are given belown.

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 04 Issue: 10 | Oct-2015, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

100

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

Table -3: Comparison of frequencies

30X10
20X20
25X15
6.38Hz

4.87 Hz

5.59 Hz

7.30 Hz

5.62 Hz

6.42 Hz

17.61 Hz

13.36 Hz

15.39 Hz

24.67 Hz

22.97 Hz

23.01 Hz

From above results ,Tensairity beam with 30X10mm cross

section of rod shows higher natural frequencies than other
two.And the 20X20mm cross section having very low
natural frequiencies. While desigining this should be taken
into account.

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

3.5 Load-Displacement Response For Different

Tension And Compression Materials
Material properties of different material are given below .

Material

Table -4: Material properties

Modulus of
Density
elasticity(N/m2)
(kg/m3)

Steel

210X109

7800

0.3

Copper

120X109

8940

0.35

Aluminium

69X109

2700

0.33

PVC

4.1X109

1390

0.4

Silicon

185X109

2330

0.27

Rubber

0.1X109

1100

0.46

Polyamide

2.14X108

620

0.34

3.4 Study Of Load-Displacement Response Of The

Spindle Shape Tensairity Beam
For the study of load displacement response of Tensairity
beam, introduced a central load at The center of the
compression chord of the beam.By changing the load
corresponding deflection of beam is noted for the pressure
of 150mbar and load displacement response is
represented by graph given below.
1
ELEMENTS
U
ROT
F

SEP

9 2015
10:29:15

Poissons
ratio

The analysis of spindle shape Tensairity beam with three

different
compression and
tension members
are
done.The three different materials are aluminium,steel
and copper.For the anlysis polyamide fabric Tensairity
beam with 150mbar internal pressure are used.The load
displacement response is shown in the below graph
.

Fig -14: Tensairity beam with central load

1

Graph -1: Load-displacement response graph

DISPLACEMENT
STEP=2
SUB =50
TIME=2
DMX =.036108

AUG 10 2015
22:22:47

From above the graph,spindle shape Tensairity beam

with aluminium rod shows greater displacement than
other two material.Tensairity beam with steel rod shows
minimum displacement.so spindle shape Tensairity beam
with Steel rod will produce greater stiffness than
aluminium and copper.

3.6 Load-Displacement Response For Different

Fabric Materials

Fig -15: Deformation of Tensairity beam

The analysis of spindle shape Tensairity beam with four

different fabric materials are done.The four different
materials are plyamide, PVC coated polyester, silicon and

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 04 Issue: 10 | Oct-2015, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

101

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

rubber. For the anlysis Tensairity beam with 150mbar

internal pressure and aluminium rod are used.The load
displacement response is shown in the below graph.

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

3.8 Load-Displacement Response For Different

Area Of Cross Sections
The analysis of Tensairity beam with three different cross
section of tension and compression rod are done .The
three
different
cross
sections are 30X10
,20X20,25X15mm. For the
anlysis Tensairity beam
contains tension and compression element aluminium rod
and 150mbar internal pressure. The load displacement
response is shown in the below graph.

Graph -2: Load-displacement response graph

From above the graph, spindle shape Tensairity beam with
rubber fabric shows greater displacement than other three
material.Tensairity beam with silicon shows minimum
displacement.so spindle shape Tensairity beam with silicon
fabric will produce greater stiffness than other three fabric.

3.7 Load-Displacement Response For Different

Internal Pressures
The analysis of spindle shape Tensairity beam with three
different fabric materials are done.The three different
pressures 100mbar, 150mbar and 200mbar .For the anlysis
Tensairity beam having aluminium rod with polyamide
fabric are used.The load displacement response is shown
in the below graph

Graph -3: Load-displacement response graph

From above the graph, spindle shape Tensairity beam with
100mbar shows greater displacement than other two
pressures.Tensairity beam with 200mbar shows minimum
displacement.so spindle shape Tensairity beam with lower
internal pressure will produce greater stiffness.

Graph -4: Load-displacement response graph

From above the graph ,spindle shape Tensairity beam
with 30X10mm shows greater displacement than other
two dimensions. Tensairity beam with 20X20mm shows
minimum displacement.so while designing spindle shape
Tensairity beam the cross section of tension and
compression elements should be consider into account..

4. CONCLUSIONS
The important conclusions drawn from the various
parametric studies are sumarised.
From modal analysis seen that variation between
frequencies under two different pressures are very
small. So there is no effect on design of Tensairity
beam.
The tension and compression element having low
modulus of elasticity produce greater natural
frequencies..While desigining this should be taken
into account.
Tensairity beam with silicon fabric shows higher
natural frequencies than other three.And the rubber
fabric having very low natural frequiencies. While
desigining this should be taken into account.
From modal analysis found out that the dimensions of
tension and
compression element has
greater
influence in designing.
The spindle shape Tensairity beam with low modulus
of elasticty rod shows greater displacement.Tensairity
beam with high modulus of elasticity rod shows
minimum displacement.

Tensairity beam with low modulus of elasticity fabric

shows greater displacement.Tensairity beam with high
modulus of elasticity shows minimum displacement
The Tensairity beam with low internal pressure shows
greater displacement and beam with high internal

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 04 Issue: 10 | Oct-2015, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

102

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

pressure shows minimum displacement.so spindle

shape Tensairity beam with lower internal pressure
will produce greater stiffness.
Tensairity beam with 30X10mm shows greater
displacement than other two dimensions. Tensairity
beam with 20X20mm shows minimum displacement.
so while designing spindle shape Tensairity beam the
cross section of tension and compression elements
should be consider into account.

REFERENCES
[1] Theofanis S. Plagianakos , Uwe Teutsch , Ren Crettol
, Rolf H. Luchsinger . Static response of a spindleshaped
tensairity
column
to
axial
compression ;2009.
[2] Cdric Galliot , Rolf H. Luchsinger . Structural
behavior of symmetric spindle-shaped Tensairity
girders with reinforced chord coupling;2013.
[3] C. Galliot , R.H. Luchsinger . A simple model
describing the non-linear biaxial tensile behaviour of
PVC-coated polyester fabrics for use in finite element
analysis ;2009 .
[4] S.L. Veldman, O.K. Bergsma, A. Beukers. Bending of
anisotropic inflated cylindrical beams;2004.

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 04 Issue: 10 | Oct-2015, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

103