Erection of post-formed gridshells by means of inflatable membrane technology

Abstract

This paper describes a new erection technique for post-formed timber gridshells which takes advantage of inflatable membrane technology. Consolidated construction techniques for timber gridshells are based either on “pull-up” / “push-up” (i.e. Mannheim Multihalle) or “ease-down” behavior (i.e. Downland Open Air Museum). However, these techniques show shortcomings already at small scale. When applied to large scale, a lack of a standardised, cost-effective erection method implies that techniques have to be reinvented every time. When construction becomes expensive and laborious, gridshells become affordable only for exceptional projects, such as the Downland Museum or the Mannheim Multihalle...