Edged tensile roofs

Abstract

Tensile structures have achieved a great success due to their lightness, formal variety, wide span and economy. Nevertheless, in some aspects rhey are not good solutions bevause their form, not always controled, their complex foundations, some of them in tension, and the difficulties of repair and maintenance. Edged tensile strictires can provide, in many cases, a better solution. They provide repetible structures, forms with a regular geometry and a well balanced equilibrium of forces that avoids anchoring. A simple example buitlt with these considerations is presented to show the advantages of the scheme.