| Abstract |
The present work will deal with the increasing need for highly portable post disaster facilities represented by temporary lightweight structures like tents, inflatable covers, portable warehouses or hangars, focusing on all phases of the life cycle of these products: Starting from the early design stages over manufacturing, solving typical problems in their use and finally the guarantee of multiple reutilization (i.e. the thorough investigation of stocking, transportation, installation, assembling, dismantling).
From an engineering point of view, such structures present a novel
challenge due to their peculiar structural characteristics, aiming at very efficient load-carrying behaviour and therefore extreme lightness.
As a consequence, a new integrated design approach is needed, requiring the unified contribution of several actors: from the material manufacturing to the constructor and the designing engineer responsible for structural analysis, passing by the global management of the design office.
The emergency structures must ensure the protective function even for severe loading conditions, whereas the performance in extreme wind conditions is a predominant challenge due to their intended lightness; they must be light and flexible to support the packing and handling procedures; they shall guarantee durability for different climatic conditions. A new technology allows them to be equipped by a set of photovoltaic solar cells in order to reach the self-sustainability. |
