Tent Structures

TENT STRUCTURES
Definition of a Tent Structure:

A membrane structure pre-stressed by externally applied forces so
that it is held completely taut under all anticipated load conditions. To
avoid extremely high tensile forces, a membrane structure should have
relatively sharp curvatures in opposite direction.
Purpose:
The purpose of a tent structure is to provide a means of shelter that is
lightweight, portable, and quick to install.
Subsystems and Interactions:

There are three major components (subsystems) to a tent structure:
1.) An outer membrane The outer membrane of a tent structure covers
the frame and carries the load primarily through tension (although it does
carry compression also). The function of the membrane is to protect the
interior from the outside conditions and to transfer the loads to the
framework.
2.) The frame The frame is what the thin outer membrane is attached
to. The type of frame construction used varies between the different
types of tents. The frame can consist of rigid longitudinal poles which
transfer loads similar to a column, or it can consist of flexible rods that
transfer loads similar to an arch.
3.) An anchorage system The anchorage system of a tent usually
consists of tabs (attached to the membrane) that are attached by hooks to
the stakes. The stakes are then anchored into the ground. Some tents
use ropes that are attached to the poles which are in turn anchored into
the ground using stakes. Some other components of tents may be zippers
that provide a non-rigid entranceway into the tent, or screens that enable
a view to the outside.
The interaction of the components of a tent structure usually begins with
sliding the rods or poles through sleeves that are sewn on the outer
membrane. In the case of larger tents, the top end to the poles, usually
recessed, are slid through a reinforced hole. The free ends of the poles or
rods are slid through the tabs (sometimes attaching to the pole or rod by
hooks to insure placement). The tabs are then anchored to the ground
using stakes or pins that have hooks on them to insure that the tabs are
held to the stakes. For larger tents, ropes are tied to the poles and then
anchored into the ground.
Upon erection of the tent structure, the outer membrane primarily
receives wind loads or any other loads induced by the weather
conditions. These loads are then transferred to the framing system which
then transfers to the anchorage and then into the ground (see diagram
below).
Construction of the tent structure may take minutes or days depending of
the size of the tent to be installed.
Uses:
1.) Camping This is perhaps the most common use of

tents. Lightweight, compaction for travel, and easy installation make a
tent an ideal solution for camping. Small size also makes a tent desirable
because it can be placed virtually anywhere.
2.) Carnivals Tents used for carnivals are also very popular. It can
provide shelter for a large number of people. Carnivals are short-term
occasions; hence tents are an appropriate choice because they are
temporary structures.
3.) Ceremonies Tents used for ceremonies (parties, weddings, etc.) is
similar to that of a carnival. It provides temporary shelter for a short term
that has a large number of people.
Other
-
common uses of tents include:

Medical Shelter
Storage
Maintenance Buildings
Military Enclosure
Circus
Special Events
Limitations:
-
Cannot withstand abnormal weather conditions (i.e. high winds)

Not available to be used for multistory construction
Impractical for long-term use
Not comfortable relative to permanent structures
Limited privacy
Typical Materials:
Poles: aluminum, composites (plastics)
Outer membrane: waterproof (also can be fireproof) canvas, nylon,
gor-tex, polyester
Floor membrane (if it has one): plastic (similar to a plastic tarp),
canvas
Stakes: metal, wood, or plastic
Zippers: metal (nickel in particular), plastic
Support ropes (if needed): nylon, cloth, twine
Construction Issues:
The construction of tent may take minutes or days depending on
size. Construction usually begins by rolling out the membrane. Then the
poles are inserted into the membrane either with sleeves or with the top
end being placed into the reinforced holes. Then the poles are anchored
into the ground using stakes or ropes attached to the poles. For smaller
tents it is a relatively simple process, but larger tents usually need several
people to erect.
CASE STUDY
HAJ TERMINAL, KING ABDUL AZIZ INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
The Haj terminal was designed to accommodate the 950,000 pilgrims
expected to visit Mecca in 1985. The capacity of the terminal at any one
time is 50,000 passengers for a period of 18 hours during arrival and
80,000 for periods up to 36 hours during departure.
Haj Terminal, King Abdul international airport, exterior

The top of the conical tents are suspended on cables from the surrounding
four masts.
In designing the terminal, the architects turned to the traditional nomadic
structure of the region, the Bedouin tent. The terminal design also echoes
the temporary tent city constructed for the pilgrimage weeks in the valley
of Meena near Mecca. While visiting the area, the designers learned what
natives have long known that being the shade of an umbrella in the
intense desert heat was preferable to being enclosed in a hot building. It
also recognised that, mechanically air- conditioning and lighting a building
of the size needed for terminal would be extra ordinarily expensive,
especially considered the short annual period of a peak usage.
The tents combine to cover over 4.6 million sq. Ft. (430,000 sq. M), more
than any other roof in the world. The basic module is a square conical
fabric tent 150 ft on each side. Twenty one such modules form a single
group, and there are 2 sets of 5 groups divided by a landscaped mall. The
enclosed and air- conditioned arrival buildings are located under the tents
along the outside edge of the terminal units parallel to the aircraft aprons.
Each module consists of semiconical fabric tent connected at the open
center peak to a 13 ft diameter steel tension ring and stretched to the
parameter cables which are attached at the four corners to the midheight
of the supporting masts. The center tension ring is suspended by paired
cables to the top of each of the supporting masts. The Teflon coated fibre
glass fabric is expected to last 20 years. It is reinforced by 32 steel cables
that radiate from the tension ring to the perimeter cables, these cables
carry the primary tension forces, while the fabric spans between the
cables.
The supporting masts are 150 ft tall tubular steel with a 7.4 ft diameter at
the base tapering to 3.3 ft at the top. Interior masts support the corners of
four adjacent tents, the inward thrusts of these cantilevered members is
due to wind. At the edges of the group of tents where there is no adjacent
tents to counterbalance the inward thrusts due to the tent base and the
tension ring supporting cables. At the corners of the group, these thrust
loads occur in 2 directions, and 4 masts are clustered to form a 3dimensional frame.
Haj terminal, module (a) plan, and (b) section:
Haj terminal, two-module load path diagrams:
Four- mast frames at corners and two-mast frames along the edges resist
the inward thrusts of the tents. Interior masts are single because the
inward thrusts are counterbalanced by tents on all sides.
Overall, the structure takes on an aspect of soft monumentally. It is a

mirage-like building that floats above the desert floor, matching the
experience of flight and reflecting the spiritual quality of the pilgrimage.

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TENT STRUCTURES

Definition of a Tent Structure:

Subsystems and Interactions:

1.) Camping This is perhaps the most common use of

common uses of tents include:

Cannot withstand abnormal weather conditions (i.e. high winds)

Haj Terminal, King Abdul international airport, exterior

Haj terminal, two-module load path diagrams:

Overall, the structure takes on an aspect of soft monumentally. It is a

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