Design of Cable and Membrane Structures

"Design of cable and membrane structures" is an elective course of the Multi-disciplinary Program of Graduate Studies "Structural Analysis and Design", introducing the students to issues pertaining to the behavior, analysis and design of tension structures.

The objectives of the course are multiple: (a) to understand the peculiarities of behavior and analysis of such structures, due to their lack of compressive, shear and bending stiffness, and their resulting flexibility to transverse loads, which leads them to nonlinear behavior, (b) to present their significant advantages for covering large spans, either in roofs or in bridges, (c) to address technological issues regarding their materials of construction, connections, the importance and ways of application of pretension, and the erection methods, and (d) to be introduced to design methods of structures including cables and membranes: individual cables, guyed towers, suspended and cable-stayed bridges, cable roofs, cable nets, prestressed and air-supported membranes.

The course is taught by Ch. Gantes. There are 2 hours of class per week, for 13 weeks.

The students carry out, alone or in pairs, a term project, consisting usually of both a literature survey and original calculations, on a topic they select in consultation with the faculty. Deliverables include a short technical report and a powerpoint presentation in public, during the last week of classes. In addition, the course has a final examination.